The Rising Self: A Book Club for Transformation and Growth
The Rising Self is more than just a book club—it’s a supportive community of individuals dedicated to exploring health, mental health, mindfulness, spirituality, and personal growth. Meeting every other Wednesday evening from 6:00–7:30 PM at Phoenix Cafe, this intentional gathering offers a space for self-discovery, meaningful conversations, and shared inspiration.
Each session focuses on a carefully selected book designed to spark reflection, foster resilience, and inspire personal transformation. Whether you’re exploring mindfulness practices, diving into spiritual growth, or seeking insights into mental and emotional well-being, The Rising Self is your sanctuary for connection and growth.
Join our weekly book club at Phoenix Cafe inside of RISEilience (29 Main St, Amesbury MA) or by Zoom! Onsite participants will receive up to $5 off a beverage of choice. Come to 1, skip, or come to all. You will find an outline of the book and what parts we will be discussing. This will allow flexibility in case you can’t join us one day. Sign up weekly via our app.
The Rising Self: Book Club Guidelines
1️⃣ Respect & Inclusivity – Everyone’s voice matters. Listen actively, speak thoughtfully, and create a welcoming, judgment-free space.
2️⃣ Stay Present & Engaged – Read what you can, participate mindfully, and keep discussions focused on personal growth, mindfulness, and wellness.
3️⃣ Confidentiality & Safe Sharing – What’s shared in the group stays in the group. Honor each other’s experiences with kindness and discretion.
4️⃣ Balanced Discussion – Each person who wishes to share has a 2-minute speaking limit until everyone has had a chance to contribute.
✨ Let’s rise together—one page at a time! ✨
Reading Outline:
3/12: Chapters 1& 2 (pg. 11-29)
3/19: Chapters 3 & 4 (pg. 32-52)
3/26: Chapter 5 & 6 (pg. 56-81)
4/2: Practices for Happiness (pg. 84-102)
4/ 9: Practices for Happiness (pg. 103-124)
Summary:
The secret to happiness is to acknowledge and transform suffering, not to run away from it. Here, Thich Nhat Hanh offers practices and inspiration transforming suffering and finding true joy.
Thich Nhat Hanh acknowledges that because suffering can feel so bad, we try to run away from it or cover it up by consuming. We find something to eat or turn on the television. But unless we’re able to face our suffering, we can’t be present and available to life, and happiness will continue to elude us.
Nhat Hanh shares how the practices of stopping, mindful breathing, and deep concentration can generate the energy of mindfulness within our daily lives. With that energy, we can embrace pain and calm it down, instantly bringing a measure of freedom and a clearer mind.
No Mud, No Lotus introduces ways to be in touch with suffering without being overwhelmed by it. "When we know how to suffer," Nhat Hanh says, "we suffer much, much less." With his signature clarity and sense of joy, Thich Nhat Hanh helps us recognize the wonders inside us and around us that we tend to take for granted and teaches us the art of happiness.