The first lesson of this book is that the only way to beat the blues is to "join 'em". Cheri Hubner's simple but revolutionary message is that trying to fight off the blues - or any negative feelings - will only maintain them. Instead she shows how compassionate acceptance of your emotions and yourself actually leads to freedom. Through straightforward exercises and meditations, you will learn to open yourself to your feelings. In discovering the difficult emotions, you will begin to be able to make contact with the joyous ones as well. This process itself will lead you out of the darkness and into a richer experience of living.