About the Author

Gelong Thubten is a Buddhist monk, meditation teacher and author from the UK. He ordained as a monk 26 years ago at Samye Ling Tibetan Monastery in Scotland, and he has spent over six years in intensive meditation retreats, the longest of which was 4 years long. He is now regarded as one of the UK's most influential meditation teachers, with pioneering work in providing non-religious mindfulness programmes to businesses, hospitals, schools, universities, prisons and addiction counselling centres. He works with major global companies such as Google, Accenture and LinkedIn, and has lectured at Oxford University and for the United Nations. Thubten teaches mindfulness to medical students at the National University of Ireland, and he trained Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton in meditation techniques during the filming of Marvel's Dr. Strange. Thubten contributed to Ruby Wax's book, HOW TO BE HUMAN. His own book, A MONK'S GUIDE TO HAPPINESS was a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller with editions in 10 countries internationally. Thubten's work has been featured in The Times and Guardian newspapers and on Sky, the BBC and ITV. He has appeared on some of the leading health and wellness podcasts, including Deliciously Ella and Poppy Jamie's Happy not Perfect. HANDBOOK FOR HARD TIMES is his latest book.

Reviews

A powerful, personally revelatory, but above all a practical book about how to deal with adversity. This
guide to survival by a Buddhist monk with a troubled back story is the real deal.
*The Times*

Through his own personal experience of transformation from crippling anxiety and depression, Gelong Thubten is a most qualified guide in the journey from darkness and turmoil towards inner peace and positivity. At a time when many of us are experiencing a 'new level of societal fear', everyone can absolutely benefit from this accessible and supportive life handbook.
*Annie Lennox - Singer, songwriter and activist*

No one is more brilliant at bringing you out of the dark and into the light.
*Ruby Wax*

This is a timely and practical guide to help us navigate the fear and challenges of the times upon us. Uplifting and empowering!
*Mo Gawdat*

This book helps us with one of the most important aspects of our time and human existence - how we can go inside ourselves to find peace, happiness and learn about ourselves. Only by going inwards and becoming comfortable with all our emotions can we enjoy life more and enhance our contributions to the world. It is written in such an enticing and accessible manner that it really is indispensable for this journey we should all take into ourselves.
*Andrew Bovarnick, Global Head, Food and Agricultural Commodity Systems, United Nations Development Programme*

This is the anti-self-help book that everyone should be reading. Thubten shows us that life's most important lessons are often hard won, and that embracing these experiences, while difficult, offers a path to freedom. A courageous book that inspires by example.
*Ashish Ranpura, MD, PhD, Clinical neurologist and cognitive neuroscientist*