What are you looking for in life?

I don't mean on a superficial level but deep down. I expect most people would say happiness, but I believe this is not what we should be setting our sights on. Happiness is extremely short lived. One minute we are happy and the next we are wondering why the world is treating us so badly.

So, what should we be looking for?

I believe we should be aiming for peace of mind. A mind that is open, calm, focused and able to deal with whatever life throws at it.

In Open Awareness Open Mind, Karma Yeshe Rabgye skilfully guides you through various meditation and mindfulness practices that help you to gradually take back control of your life, leaving you with a mind that is at peace.

Open Awareness Open Mind: Finding Lasting Peace with the Practice of Meditation, Karma Yeshe Rabgye, Paperback, 213 pages, $9.99

Karma Yeshe Rabgye is a Western Buddhist Monk from England. He teaches Buddhist philosophy, mindfulness and meditation in various countries around the world.

He initially came to India as a student of Buddhism, learning from the great Tibetan Buddhist masters in exile. His Western background forced him to question some difficult elements of the teachings, in particular to distinguish those teachings that were essential aspects of the path from those that were mere cultural embellishments. He found that many people who were attracted to Buddhist teachings, particularly Westerners, were confused by the teachings, and wanted to bypass the foundation teachings of Gautama Buddha to instead perilously dive into advanced teachings such as Tantra. This lead him to write The Best Way to Catch a Snake and Life's Meandering Path, which both offer practical advice on approaching Gautama Buddha's teachings for both beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.

Karma Yeshe Rabgye spent several years in a monastery in the foothills of the Himalayas teaching young monks basic Buddhist philosophy and meditation. He now offers teachings freely to all in a manner that is unpretentious and clear. He does not demand students to blindly accept what he says, but instead invites them to examine their own minds and experience to discover the validity of Gautama Buddha's teaching. Using everyday examples he has the ability to bring the teachings alive, particularly to a younger audience seeking to make Buddhism relevant in their lives. His approachable manner has attracted many students who appreciate his sense of humour and practical advice.

Karma Yeshe Rabgye quietly demonstrates Gautama Buddha's teaching on compassion through the charitable trust 'Sangye Menla' that he founded in 2008 in Chandigarh, Northern India. The trust provides medical assistance and care to people from the Himalayan region in India.