Bouncing Forward: Transforming Bad Breaks into Breakthroughs

The first book of its kind in the new science of posttraumatic growth: a cutting-edge look at how trauma survivors find healing and new resilienceThe uplifting science of posttraumatic growth presents groundbreaking research and proven methods to survive and thrive in the face of challenges. Twelve inspiring role models share their profound insights on how they emerged from hardship stronger, wiser, and more compassionate—from civil rights icon Maya Angelou, who healed deep childhood trauma; flight surgeon Rhonda Cornum, who found a new purpose after being captured in Iraq; renowned autistic pioneer Temple Grandin, who overcame crippling panic attacks; and famed jazz guitarist Coco Schumann, who played for his life in Auschwitz. In Bouncing Forward, Michaela Haas draws upon powerful storytelling, psychology, history, and twenty years of Buddhist practice to reshape the way we think of crisis.Unlike books from the medical community, Bouncing Forward is a user-friendly source of techniques that actual trauma survivors have used to benefit from pain and adversity. Haas draws on common coping threads to beautifully combine inspirational stories of growth through trauma with science and spirituality. Perfect for people from all walks of life who are recovering from loss, pain, illness, or violence—as well as their friends and family. Bouncing Forward offers examples and inspiration for growth and a mindful approach to finding a deeper meaning in life.

"Michaela Haas' latest book "Bouncing Forward" breaks through our great confusion around how to be happy. Full of goodness, this book shares stories, including her own, of people who have suffered in many ways and come through it into strength and love. Together, these varied, living examples reveal an important truth: ultimately there is no way to avoid pain in life, and turning toward our challenges, whatever they may be, "is "the way to real happiness."----Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Happiness

"In this volume, Michaela Haas applies the wisdom of Buddhist mind training to real-life experiences in the modern world, thereby enriching the Buddhist tradition as well as our current understanding of ways to fuitfully transcend the miseries of the past, present, and future."----B. Allan Wallace, author of Genuine Happiness and The Attention Revolution

Michaela Haas has written one of the most helpful, engaging, informative nonfiction books I've read in a long while. It will be useful for absolutely everyone. Highly recommended.----Samantha Dunn, author of Failing Paris and Not by Accident

In this volume Michaela Haas applies the wisdom of Buddhist mind training to real-life experiences in the modern world, thereby enriching the Buddhist tradition as well as our current understanding of ways to fruitfully transcend the miseries of the past, present, and future.----B. Alan Wallace, author of Genuine Happiness and The Attention Revolution

"Bouncing Forward shows us how adversity can turn us toward our deepest inner resources of trust, wisdom, and love. Through a wonderful mix of inspirational interviews, current science, Buddhist teachings, and her own deep understanding, Michaela Haas guides us in discovering the sacredness and grace that flows through these human lives."--Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge

"In Bouncing Forward, Dr. Haas weaves engaging stories of modern survival with uplifting and often surprising takeaways. Readers are given tools for not only surviving life's inevitable tough times, but consciously thriving because of them."--Gay Hendricks, PhD, NYT Bestselling author of The Big Leap and Conscious Loving

Bouncing Forward" propels our entire understanding of posttraumatic growth to a new level. Dr. Haas s integration of the life stories of survivors-thrivers with the latest scientific research about discovering the advantages of adversity and finding meaning in the messiness and her very practical tools for working with difficulties, even disasters, shows the reader how to cultivate the mindset of resilience that can catalyze healing and growth from catastrophe. Brilliant, inspiring, to be read, re-read, and treasured.----Linda Graham, MFT, author of Bouncing Back: Rewiring Your Brain for Maximum Resilience and Well-Being."

"Bouncing Forward" is a testament to the strength, resilience, and hope of the human psyche and spirit. Michaela Haas deftly weaves interviews with a dozen individuals from across the world combined with her experiences, ideas, and guidance to help readers understand that we are stronger than we think. "Bouncing Forward "is a wonderful and entertaining read as well as a reasoned and reasonable guide to resilient living.--Sam Goldstein, PhD, co-author of The Power of Resilience and Raising Resilient Children"

Bouncing Forward shows us how adversity can turn us toward our deepest inner resources of trust, wisdom, and love. Through a wonderful mix of inspirational interviews, current science, Buddhist teachings, and her own deep understanding, Michaela Haas guides us in discovering the sacredness and grace that flows through these human lives. --Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge"

In Bouncing Forward, Dr. Haas weaves engaging stories of modern survival with uplifting and often surprising takeaways. Readers are given tools for not only surviving life s inevitable tough times, but consciously thriving because of them. --Gay Hendricks, PhD, NYT Bestselling author of The Big Leap and Conscious Loving"

"Michaela Haas' latest book Bouncing Forward breaks through our great confusion around how to be happy. Full of goodness, this book shares stories, including her own, of people who have suffered in many ways and come through it into strength and love. Together, these varied, living examples reveal an important truth: ultimately there is no way to avoid pain in life, and turning toward our challenges, whatever they may be, is the way to real happiness."----Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Happiness

Bouncing Forward propels our entire understanding of posttraumatic growth to a new level. Dr. Haas's integration of the life stories of survivors-thrivers with the latest scientific research about discovering the advantages of adversity and finding meaning in the messiness and her very practical tools for working with difficulties, even disasters, shows the reader how to cultivate the mindset of resilience that can catalyze healing and growth from catastrophe. Brilliant, inspiring, to be read, re-read, and treasured.----Linda Graham, MFT, author of Bouncing Back: Rewiring Your Brain for Maximum Resilience and Well-Being.

This groundbreaking book offers a path to peace and contentment in the midst of life's most difficult challenges. Michaela Haas shows us how struggle and trauma can lead to wisdom, growth, and happiness. Bouncing Forward is a rich collection of inspiring and heartfelt interviews, personal recollections, and scientific research. We can train the mind to be resilient and to find life's blessings no matter what hardships we've faced or are facing. This is a book to treasure and to read over and over.----Toni Bernhard, author of How to Be Sick, How to Wake Up, and How to Live Well with Chronic Pain and Illness

Bouncing Forward is a testament to the strength, resilience, and hope of the human psyche and spirit. Michaela Haas deftly weaves interviews with a dozen individuals from across the world combined with her experiences, ideas, and guidance to help readers understand that "we are stronger than we think." Bouncing Forward is a wonderful and entertaining read as well as a reasoned and reasonable guide to resilient living.--Sam Goldstein, PhD, co-author of The Power of Resilience and Raising Resilient Children