The author, a successful screenwriter, shares his experience of using the Zen practice of mindfulness to deal with tragedy in his life. Original.
Raphael Cushnir's road to bliss has been circuitous. He grew up in a San Fernando Velley suberb, where as a teenager he taught American literature to other teens in the short-staffed school district. After a decade of teaching and storytelling, Cushnir became an activist for the environment and human rights. He devised innovative media campaigns that included such celebrities as Madonna, Pearl Jam, Demi Moore and Michael J. Fox.
His passion for filmmaking led to an ongoing stint in Hollywood. He wrote, directed, and produced the Showtime movie, "Sexual Healing," staring Helen Hunt, Anthony Edwards, and Jason Alexander. The film was nominated for two Cable Ace awards and won Grand Prize at the Houston Film Festival. Designed by Cushnir as a not-for-profit venture, it raised over $30,000 for the Minority AIDS Project.
Cushnir has also written scripts for the Geffen Company, Warner Brothers, and Columbia Pictures. In addition, his articles have appeared in "Mother Jones" and the "LA Weekly", and his children's book, "The Secret Spinner", was published in 1985. With the advent of multimedia, Cushnir codesigned the $5 million techno-spiritual odyssey, Obsidian, which Gamezilla magazine called "the very best game in any genre."
The discovery that a state of bliss is always available came to Cushnir after a period of profound grief. He's not an "expert" in the traditional sense, nor does he claim the authority of any organized group or lineage. Instead, Cushnir's aim is simply to share the gift that was given to him. He's come to understand that bliss is possible for anyone, at any time, through the asking of two simple questions and a constant focus on direct experience. Cushnir is a student and practitioner of Vipassana and Taoist meditation.
Raphael Cushnir has shared his unique approach to personal growth and fulfillment with millions of readers in O magazine, beliefnet, and Spirituality and Health. He is the author of three previous books, lectures worldwide, and is a faculty member of the Esalen Institute, the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies. In addition, he coaches individuals and teams at Fortune 100 companies, governmental offices, religious organizations, and leading nonprofits.
