To face reality is to embrace change; to resist change is to suffer. This is the liberating insight that unfolds with Living as a River. A masterful investigation of the nature of self, this eloquent blend of current science and time-honored spiritual insight is meant to free us from the fear of impermanence in a world defined by change. The primary vehicle for this journey is Buddhism's traditional Six Element Practice, a deconstructive process of deep reflection that helps us let go of the belief in a separate, static self-the root of unhappiness. Bodhipaksa takes readers through a systematic yet poetic analysis of the self that supports the realization of: - A sense of spaciousness and expansiveness that transcends the limitations of the physical body - Profound gratitude, awe, and a feeling of belonging as we witness the extent of our connectedness with the universe Freedom from the psychological burden caused by clinging to a false identity