32 Books like The Five Things We Cannot Change

Real Life

by Sharon Salzberg • 2023

A meditation teacher explains why you feel stuck and what to do that isn't fighting or fixing.

4.21

486

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🪷 Western Buddhism 🧘 Insight Meditation 💪 Emotional Resilience 💗 Compassion Practice

Real Life 98%

A meditation teacher explains why you feel stuck and what to do that isn't fighting or fixing.

by Sharon Salzberg 2023

4.21

486 ratings

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🪷 Western Buddhism 🧘 Insight Meditation 💪 Emotional Resilience 💗 Compassion Practice

Going to Pieces without Falling Apart

by Mark Epstein • 1998

Your emptiness is not a defect. It's the doorway to wholeness.

3.88

7k+

🧘 Buddhist Psychology 🪷 Non-Attachment 💗 Emotional Acceptance ⌛ Impermanence 🌊 Ego Dissolution

Going to Pieces without Falling Apart Summary

Going to Pieces without Falling Apart 98%

Your emptiness is not a defect. It's the doorway to wholeness.

by Mark Epstein 1998

3.88

7k+ ratings

🧘 Buddhist Psychology 🪷 Non-Attachment 💗 Emotional Acceptance ⌛ Impermanence 🌊 Ego Dissolution

When Things Don't Go Your Way

by Haemin Sunim • 2018

A Zen teacher publicly shamed: his hard-won practices for when your world comes apart.

4.12

3k+

🧘 Zen Buddhism 🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🤲 Acceptance Practice 💪 Emotional Resilience 🙏 Gratitude Practice

When Things Don't Go Your Way 98%

A Zen teacher publicly shamed: his hard-won practices for when your world comes apart.

by Haemin Sunim 2018

4.12

3k+ ratings

🧘 Zen Buddhism 🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🤲 Acceptance Practice 💪 Emotional Resilience 🙏 Gratitude Practice

Emotional Chaos to Clarity

by Phillip Moffitt • 2012

The reactive mind keeps you spinning. Two skills change your default from chaos to clarity.

4.15

382

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🧘 Mindfulness Practice 🧭 Intentional Living 🌊 Emotional Regulation 💡 Acceptance And Commitment Therapy

Emotional Chaos to Clarity 98%

The reactive mind keeps you spinning. Two skills change your default from chaos to clarity.

by Phillip Moffitt 2012

4.15

382 ratings

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🧘 Mindfulness Practice 🧭 Intentional Living 🌊 Emotional Regulation 💡 Acceptance And Commitment Therapy

Welcoming the Unwelcome

by Pema Chödrön • 2019

A Buddhist nun's radical instruction: stop avoiding your pain and let it teach you.

4.36

4k+

🏔️ Tibetan Buddhism 💗 Compassion Practice 🪨 Accepting Difficulty 🌱 Emotional Resilience 🍂 Non-Attachment

Welcoming the Unwelcome 98%

A Buddhist nun's radical instruction: stop avoiding your pain and let it teach you.

by Pema Chödrön 2019

4.36

4k+ ratings

🏔️ Tibetan Buddhism 💗 Compassion Practice 🪨 Accepting Difficulty 🌱 Emotional Resilience 🍂 Non-Attachment

No Mud, No Lotus

by Thich Nhat Hanh • 2014

Stop running from your pain. Mindfulness turns the heaviest days into the soil that grows joy.

4.25

15k+

🧘 Mindfulness Meditation 🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🌋 Transforming Suffering 💗 Self-Compassion 💖 Loving-Kindness

No Mud, No Lotus 97%

Stop running from your pain. Mindfulness turns the heaviest days into the soil that grows joy.

by Thich Nhat Hanh 2014

4.25

15k+ ratings

🧘 Mindfulness Meditation 🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🌋 Transforming Suffering 💗 Self-Compassion 💖 Loving-Kindness

The Wise Heart

by Jack Kornfield • 2008

Buddhist psychology maps the mind's suffering and reveals the freedom already inside it.

4.34

8k+

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🧘 Insight Meditation 🌉 Western Buddhism 🧡 Compassion Practice 🍂 Non-Attachment

The Wise Heart 97%

Buddhist psychology maps the mind's suffering and reveals the freedom already inside it.

by Jack Kornfield 2008

4.34

8k+ ratings

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🧘 Insight Meditation 🌉 Western Buddhism 🧡 Compassion Practice 🍂 Non-Attachment

Happiness Is an Inside Job

by Sylvia Boorstein • 2007

Three Buddhist instructions stop suffering before it starts, and they take less than a minute.

3.90

968

☸️ Buddhist Teachings 🧘 Mindfulness Practice 🧠 Buddhist Psychology 💗 Lovingkindness 👁️ Insight Meditation

Happiness Is an Inside Job 97%

Three Buddhist instructions stop suffering before it starts, and they take less than a minute.

by Sylvia Boorstein 2007

3.90

968 ratings

☸️ Buddhist Teachings 🧘 Mindfulness Practice 🧠 Buddhist Psychology 💗 Lovingkindness 👁️ Insight Meditation

Dancing With Life

by Phillip Moffitt • 2008

The Buddhist way to meet pain without flinching: stop chasing joy, start practicing steadiness.

4.27

784

🪷 Buddhist Practice 🧘 Insight Meditation 🍃 Non-Attachment ⏳ Impermanence 💗 Compassion Practice

Dancing With Life 97%

The Buddhist way to meet pain without flinching: stop chasing joy, start practicing steadiness.

by Phillip Moffitt 2008

4.27

784 ratings

🪷 Buddhist Practice 🧘 Insight Meditation 🍃 Non-Attachment ⏳ Impermanence 💗 Compassion Practice

The Zen of Therapy

by Mark Epstein • 2022

Meditative presence heals what interpretation alone cannot. A Buddhist psychiatrist shows how.

3.94

1k+

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🧘 Mindfulness Therapy 💗 Self-Compassion ☸️ Western Buddhism 🛋️ Psychotherapy Practice

The Zen of Therapy 97%

Meditative presence heals what interpretation alone cannot. A Buddhist psychiatrist shows how.

by Mark Epstein 2022

3.94

1k+ ratings

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🧘 Mindfulness Therapy 💗 Self-Compassion ☸️ Western Buddhism 🛋️ Psychotherapy Practice

Love for Imperfect Things

by Haemin Sunim • 2016

The relief of accepting yourself as you already are: Buddhist wisdom for a kinder, quieter life.

4.20

16k+

💖 Self-Compassion 🕊️ Self-Acceptance 🌬️ Mindfulness Practice ☸️ Buddhist Teachings 🍂 Letting Go

Love for Imperfect Things 97%

The relief of accepting yourself as you already are: Buddhist wisdom for a kinder, quieter life.

by Haemin Sunim 2016

4.20

16k+ ratings

💖 Self-Compassion 🕊️ Self-Acceptance 🌬️ Mindfulness Practice ☸️ Buddhist Teachings 🍂 Letting Go

Zen beyond Mindfulness

by Jules Shuzen Harris • 2019

Some patterns survive any amount of sitting. This Zen teacher makes you write them down first.

3.95

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🇺🇸 American Zen ✍️ Contemplative Writing 🔍 Self-Inquiry 🚫 Spiritual Bypassing

Zen beyond Mindfulness 97%

Some patterns survive any amount of sitting. This Zen teacher makes you write them down first.

by Jules Shuzen Harris 2019

3.95

75 ratings

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🇺🇸 American Zen ✍️ Contemplative Writing 🔍 Self-Inquiry 🚫 Spiritual Bypassing

Wisdom of No Escape

by Pema Chödrön • 1991

Your discomfort is not a detour from the spiritual path; it is the path itself.

4.28

8k+

🧘 Buddhist Practice 🔥 Embracing Discomfort 💗 Loving-Kindness Practice 🫂 Self-Compassion Practice 🧭 Modern Buddhism

Wisdom of No Escape 97%

Your discomfort is not a detour from the spiritual path; it is the path itself.

by Pema Chödrön 1991

4.28

8k+ ratings

🧘 Buddhist Practice 🔥 Embracing Discomfort 💗 Loving-Kindness Practice 🫂 Self-Compassion Practice 🧭 Modern Buddhism

Start Where You Are

by Pema Chödrön • 1994

Breathe in suffering, breathe out compassion: the Tibetan practice that turns pain into wisdom.

4.24

14k+

🏔️ Tibetan Buddhism 🧘 Buddhist Practice 🧠 Mind Training 💗 Self-Compassion 💛 Loving-Kindness

Start Where You Are 97%

Breathe in suffering, breathe out compassion: the Tibetan practice that turns pain into wisdom.

by Pema Chödrön 1994

4.24

14k+ ratings

🏔️ Tibetan Buddhism 🧘 Buddhist Practice 🧠 Mind Training 💗 Self-Compassion 💛 Loving-Kindness

Fear

by Thich Nhat Hanh • 2012

The mindfulness practice for fear: stop running, breathe, and look at what is actually there.

4.17

10k+

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🧘 Mindfulness Practice 😰 Fear And Anxiety 💗 Compassion Practice ☀️ Present Moment Awareness

Fear 97%

The mindfulness practice for fear: stop running, breathe, and look at what is actually there.

by Thich Nhat Hanh 2012

4.17

10k+ ratings

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🧘 Mindfulness Practice 😰 Fear And Anxiety 💗 Compassion Practice ☀️ Present Moment Awareness

A Fearless Heart

by Thupten Jinpa • 2015

Compassion is our default; fear hijacks it. The practices that reclaim it.

4.34

995

🧘 Compassion Training 🤲 Self Compassion 🌱 Secular Buddhism 🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🔬 Contemplative Science

A Fearless Heart 97%

Compassion is our default; fear hijacks it. The practices that reclaim it.

by Thupten Jinpa 2015

4.34

995 ratings

🧘 Compassion Training 🤲 Self Compassion 🌱 Secular Buddhism 🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🔬 Contemplative Science

The Art of Happiness

by Dalai Lama XIV • 1998

Compassion, perspective, and mental discipline: the Dalai Lama's training regimen for a happy life.

4.17

126k+

🧘 Buddhist Psychology 😊 Happiness Studies 🧠 Mental Training 💗 Compassion Practice 🌊 Emotional Regulation

The Art of Happiness 97%

Compassion, perspective, and mental discipline: the Dalai Lama's training regimen for a happy life.

by Dalai Lama XIV 1998

4.17

126k+ ratings

🧘 Buddhist Psychology 😊 Happiness Studies 🧠 Mental Training 💗 Compassion Practice 🌊 Emotional Regulation

The Little Book of Being

by Diana Winston • 2019

Meditation takes effort. This book teaches the opposite: the awareness you seek is already here.

3.86

425

🧘 Nondual Awareness 🪷 Secular Buddhism 💚 Emotional Healing 🍃 Letting Go ☀️ Daily Mindfulness

The Little Book of Being 97%

Meditation takes effort. This book teaches the opposite: the awareness you seek is already here.

by Diana Winston 2019

3.86

425 ratings

🧘 Nondual Awareness 🪷 Secular Buddhism 💚 Emotional Healing 🍃 Letting Go ☀️ Daily Mindfulness

Radical Acceptance

by Tara Brach • 2000

Why you feel fatally flawed, and how embracing each moment as it comes frees you from shame.

4.14

36k+

🫂 Self-Compassion 🧘 Buddhist Psychology 💖 Emotional Acceptance 🩹 Trauma Healing 🛡️ Shame Resilience

Radical Acceptance 97%

Why you feel fatally flawed, and how embracing each moment as it comes frees you from shame.

by Tara Brach 2000

4.14

36k+ ratings

🫂 Self-Compassion 🧘 Buddhist Psychology 💖 Emotional Acceptance 🩹 Trauma Healing 🛡️ Shame Resilience

The Trauma of Everyday Life

by Mark Epstein • 2013

Trauma lives in ordinary loss, not just catastrophe. The Buddha's own wound shows the way through.

3.79

2k+

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 💔 Trauma Recovery 🧘 Mindfulness Meditation 🫨 Emotional Processing 🛋️ Psychoanalysis

The Trauma of Everyday Life 97%

Trauma lives in ordinary loss, not just catastrophe. The Buddha's own wound shows the way through.

by Mark Epstein 2013

3.79

2k+ ratings

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 💔 Trauma Recovery 🧘 Mindfulness Meditation 🫨 Emotional Processing 🛋️ Psychoanalysis

The Dalai Lama's Book of Wisdom

by Dalai Lama XIV • 1995

Train your mind, not your circumstances. A pocket guide to lasting contentment from the Dalai Lama.

4.23

3k+

☸️ Buddhist Philosophy 💗 Compassion Practice 🧠 Emotional Regulation 🧘 Mindfulness Meditation 😌 Contentment

The Dalai Lama's Book of Wisdom 97%

Train your mind, not your circumstances. A pocket guide to lasting contentment from the Dalai Lama.

by Dalai Lama XIV 1995

4.23

3k+ ratings

☸️ Buddhist Philosophy 💗 Compassion Practice 🧠 Emotional Regulation 🧘 Mindfulness Meditation 😌 Contentment

Fail, Fail Again, Fail Better

by Pema Chödrön • 2015

The collapse you dread contains your next breakthrough: stay with the feeling instead of fleeing it.

4.09

3k+

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🧘 Contemplative Practice 💗 Self-Compassion 🪢 Emotional Resilience 💥 Embracing Failure

Fail, Fail Again, Fail Better 97%

The collapse you dread contains your next breakthrough: stay with the feeling instead of fleeing it.

by Pema Chödrön 2015

4.09

3k+ ratings

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🧘 Contemplative Practice 💗 Self-Compassion 🪢 Emotional Resilience 💥 Embracing Failure

Lighter

by Yung Pueblo • 2022

You have carried the past long enough. The inner work that finally makes you lighter.

4.05

9k+

💖 Inner Healing 🩹 Trauma Recovery 🧘 Mindfulness Practice 🌱 Emotional Maturity ☸️ Buddhist Psychology

Lighter 97%

You have carried the past long enough. The inner work that finally makes you lighter.

by Yung Pueblo 2022

4.05

9k+ ratings

💖 Inner Healing 🩹 Trauma Recovery 🧘 Mindfulness Practice 🌱 Emotional Maturity ☸️ Buddhist Psychology

The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion

by Christopher K. Germer • 2009

Dismantle self-criticism not by fighting it, but by meeting your pain with mindfulness and kindness.

4.04

5k+

🫂 Self-Compassion 🧘 Mindfulness Meditation 💗 Emotional Healing ❤️ Loving-Kindness ☸️ Buddhist Psychology

The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion Summary

The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion 97%

Dismantle self-criticism not by fighting it, but by meeting your pain with mindfulness and kindness.

by Christopher K. Germer 2009

4.04

5k+ ratings

🫂 Self-Compassion 🧘 Mindfulness Meditation 💗 Emotional Healing ❤️ Loving-Kindness ☸️ Buddhist Psychology

The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace

by Jack Kornfield • 2002

Forgiveness is for you, not them: practices to release the weight of old pain.

4.31

946

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🕊️ Forgiveness Practice 💗 Lovingkindness Meditation 🩹 Emotional Healing 🙏 Gratitude Practice

The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace Summary

The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace 97%

Forgiveness is for you, not them: practices to release the weight of old pain.

by Jack Kornfield 2002

4.31

946 ratings

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🕊️ Forgiveness Practice 💗 Lovingkindness Meditation 🩹 Emotional Healing 🙏 Gratitude Practice

When Things Fall Apart

by Pema Chödrön • 1996

Difficult emotions are not obstacles; they are the path.

4.27

65k+

🏔️ Tibetan Buddhism 🧘 Buddhist Practice 🌱 Spiritual Self-Help 🙏 Contemplative Practice 🧠 Mindfulness Meditation

When Things Fall Apart 97%

Difficult emotions are not obstacles; they are the path.

by Pema Chödrön 1996

4.27

65k+ ratings

🏔️ Tibetan Buddhism 🧘 Buddhist Practice 🌱 Spiritual Self-Help 🙏 Contemplative Practice 🧠 Mindfulness Meditation

Ordinary Wonder

by Charlotte Joko Beck • 2021

An old belief of unworthiness runs your life. Sitting meditation is how you face it.

4.48

353

🧘 Zen Practice 🧠 Buddhist Psychology 👁️ Emotional Awareness 🕯️ Meditation Practice 🩹 Emotional Healing

Ordinary Wonder 97%

An old belief of unworthiness runs your life. Sitting meditation is how you face it.

by Charlotte Joko Beck 2021

4.48

353 ratings

🧘 Zen Practice 🧠 Buddhist Psychology 👁️ Emotional Awareness 🕯️ Meditation Practice 🩹 Emotional Healing

Neurodharma

by Rick Hanson • 2020

Brain science meets Buddhism: a path to unshakable calm, deep compassion, and lasting contentment.

3.88

682

🧠 Contemplative Neuroscience ☸️ Buddhist Psychology 🔄 Neuroplasticity ☯️ Non-Dual Awareness 💗 Compassion Cultivation

Neurodharma 97%

Brain science meets Buddhism: a path to unshakable calm, deep compassion, and lasting contentment.

by Rick Hanson 2020

3.88

682 ratings

🧠 Contemplative Neuroscience ☸️ Buddhist Psychology 🔄 Neuroplasticity ☯️ Non-Dual Awareness 💗 Compassion Cultivation

How to Sit

by Thich Nhat Hanh • 2014

Sitting is a practice of joy, not a break from the noise. Breath is the bridge.

4.33

4k+

🧘 Zen Buddhism 🌬️ Mindful Breathing 👁️ Present Moment 🪑 Being Over Doing 🚶 Everyday Mindfulness

How to Sit 97%

Sitting is a practice of joy, not a break from the noise. Breath is the bridge.

by Thich Nhat Hanh 2014

4.33

4k+ ratings

🧘 Zen Buddhism 🌬️ Mindful Breathing 👁️ Present Moment 🪑 Being Over Doing 🚶 Everyday Mindfulness

Emotional Alchemy

by T Bennett-Goelman • 1998

Your emotional overreactions follow childhood scripts. Mindfulness breaks the loop.

3.92

1k+

🧘 Buddhist Psychology 🔍 Schema Therapy 💚 Emotional Healing 🧠 Mindfulness Practice 🔄 Cognitive-Behavioral

Emotional Alchemy 97%

Your emotional overreactions follow childhood scripts. Mindfulness breaks the loop.

by T Bennett-Goelman 1998

3.92

1k+ ratings

🧘 Buddhist Psychology 🔍 Schema Therapy 💚 Emotional Healing 🧠 Mindfulness Practice 🔄 Cognitive-Behavioral

Real Love

by Sharon Salzberg • 2017

Before you can love others well, learn to stop being cruel to yourself.

4.12

3k+

🧘 Buddhist Psychology 🤲 Self-Compassion 💚 Emotional Healing 🌱 Conscious Relationships ☸️ Western Buddhism

Real Love 97%

Before you can love others well, learn to stop being cruel to yourself.

by Sharon Salzberg 2017

4.12

3k+ ratings

🧘 Buddhist Psychology 🤲 Self-Compassion 💚 Emotional Healing 🌱 Conscious Relationships ☸️ Western Buddhism

Happiness

by Matthieu Ricard • 2003

Happiness is a skill. A scientist-monk on the mental training that physically reshapes your brain.

4.09

8k+

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🔬 Meditation Science 📊 Happiness Studies 🏋️ Mental Training 💗 Compassion Practice

Happiness 97%

Happiness is a skill. A scientist-monk on the mental training that physically reshapes your brain.

by Matthieu Ricard 2003

4.09

8k+ ratings

🧠 Buddhist Psychology 🔬 Meditation Science 📊 Happiness Studies 🏋️ Mental Training 💗 Compassion Practice

Compare Features	Free	Pro
📖 Read Summaries Read unlimited summaries. Free users get 3 per month
🎧 Listen to Summaries Listen to unlimited summaries in 40 languages	—
❤️ Unlimited Bookmarks Free users are limited to 4	—
📜 Unlimited History Free users are limited to 4	—
📥 Unlimited Downloads Free users are limited to 1	—

People love SoBrief

Join our global community of 600,000+ readers

★★★★★

This site is a total game-changer. I've been flying through book summaries like never before. Highly, highly recommend.

— Dave G

Worth my money and time, and really well made. I've never seen this quality of summaries on other websites. Very helpful!

— Em

Highly recommended!! Fantastic service. Perfect for those that want a little more than a teaser but not all the intricate details of a full audio book.

— Greg M