The Universal Heart

'A tour de force in matters of the heart.' Claire Scobie, Kindred Spirit

A life worth living is a life of love. Love is the currency that transcends all others. Love connects us most deeply to our best selves, as well as to other people.

The presence or absence of love makes the greatest difference to our happiness, our health and wellbeing. Yet seeking love and sustaining it continues to disappoint many people.

In this powerful and practical book, Dr Stephanie Dowrick affirms our highest ideals and intentions. Better still, she shows us how possible it is to live them out. With the compassion and psychological depth that is the hallmark of her writing, she also explores the common pitfalls to love. Then, with persuasive wisdom, she helps us to transform them.

Perhaps what also makes this book exceptional is that Stephanie Dowrick shows us how to live more appreciatively across all our relationships, including with our own selves. Through her powers of storytelling, she demonstrates that anything worth discovering about love improves not one but every one of our connections. In a world where fears of not being or having enough dominate, she proves that love is ours to discover, to give and to receive.

'Deeply attentive and acutely perceptive . infinitely compassionate and accepting.' Women's Health

'Stephanie Dowrick is a godsend. Her gift is the ability to write in a manner that genuinely enriches and changes lives.' Nigel Marsh, writer and global CEO

'Her wisdom is contagious. If anyone can cause a happiness revolution, she can.' Paul Wilson, author of the Calm books

'Like the great sages, Dowrick is aware that true wisdom comes from experiencing all that life can bring and reflecting deeply upon it.' The Listener

'Celebrates altruism and the precious everyday moments of human connection.' The Courier-Mail

'Every line in her books is well written...if the various wisdoms she writes about were applied not just to personal relationships but to society in general, then the world would be a better place for everyone.' New Zealand Herald