Steps to Happiness: Travelling from depression and addiction to the Buddhist path

Taranatha simply and quite movingly tells of his struggle through depression, alcoholism, over-identification with work as a general practitioner, a sense of worthlessness—to then find and embrace Buddhism. His is an ‘everyman’ tale of a family man pursuing a caring profession yet losing care for himself in it all. Honest, sometimes sad, often entertaining, full of personal stories which resonate with many of us, Taranatha’s story rings true—and gives hope. Born in New Zealand, Taranatha trained as a doctor, primarily in London. Recovery from alcoholism loosed long-suppressed spiritual energy which eventually found a home with the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order. Following retirement, he pursued full-time involvement with Buddhism.