Ultimate Distinction: Resolving Our Biggest Philosophical, Spiritual & Practical Problem - Softcover

Matt Mullen s book, The Distinction, is a succinct and urgent call to attend to the heart of the matter. In spare language, Mullen helps us see that we suffer because we are consumed by the stories we tell ourselves. Release from suffering means patiently and quietly paying attention to what is really here. The book clearly and carefully unwinds powerful myths about the self and other, space and time, the nature of consciousness, and truth. Really embracing The Distinction, however, doesn t point us to yet another, better story. Rather, it points us in the direction of a practice, the practice of freedom. I heartily recommend The Distinction to any reader who is curious about what It means. --Deane Curtin, Professor of Philosophy, Gustavus Adolphus College

Mullen, Matt Author Bio: Matt Mullen studied communications at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He became a student of Buddhist teacher Steve Hagen at the Dharma Field Zen Center in 2000, and now teaches others about embracing both the absolute and relative aspects of our existence. Mullen places vital emphasis on meditation, and utilizes it to strengthen his understanding through regular practice. He and his wife are residents of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Matt Mullen s book, The Ultimate Distinction, is a succinct and urgent call to attend to the heart of the matter. In spare language, Mullen helps us see that we suffer because we are consumed by the stories we tell ourselves. Release from suffering means patiently and quietly paying attention to what is really here. The book clearly and carefully unwinds powerful myths about the self and other, space and time, the nature of consciousness, and truth. Really embracing The Ultimate Distinction, however, doesn t point us to yet another, better story. Rather, it points us in the direction of a practice, the practice of freedom. I heartily recommend The Ultimate Distinction to any reader who is curious about what It means.--Deane Curtin, Ph.D., professor and chair, Department of Philosophy, Gustavus Adolphus College"

With directness and clarity, Matt Mullen draws attention to a critical distinction that few realize the need to make. It is no ordinary distinction.--Steve Hagen

Taoists call it yin and yang; Buddhists refer to the two truths: existence is both absolute and relative. Just as physicists accept that a subatomic particle is also a wave, we can understand that the universe is both one (absolute, undivided) and many (conceptual, material). Mystics get lost in the absolute, while most see only the relative. Matt Mullen points out that both are necessary for living a life in concert with the way things really are.