The Art of Being

Chosen as Finalist for the Books for a Better Life Award

New York, NY - Tarcher/Penguin is pleased to announce that THE ART OF BEING: 101 Ways to Practice Purpose in Your Life by Dennis Merritt Jones (hardcover; 978-1-58542-652-2) has been chosen as a finalist in the Spiritual category for the 30th annual Books for a Better Life Awards. The title was selected from more than 440 submissions received in ten self-improvement related categories.

"Dennis Merritt Jones has a true gift for teaching time-honored wisdom in a unique and accessible way," said Joel Fotinos, publisher of Tarcher. "His book, THE ART OF BEING, is a modern spiritual classic, and we applaud Dr. Jones on this deserved nomination." The Books for a Better Life Award winners will be announced on Monday, February 23, 2009 at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York City, where several hundred publishing industry leaders will gather for a reception and awards ceremony.

The Books for a Better Life Awards were established 13 years ago to celebrate the authors of the best self-improvement books published each year while simultaneously raising critical funds toward creating a world free of multiple sclerosis. To date, the program has raised over $1.5 million for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and honored more than 400 authors. In line with the goals of the Books for a Better Life organization, THE ART OF BEING consists of 101 brief essays that guide readers toward greater awareness and growth in various areas of life–from building harmonious relationships to learning to forgive to leading a more generous life. The book is a beautifully written and gently welcoming guide to becoming more spiritually aware.

For more information go to: www.nationalmssociety.org

A minister, teacher, spiritual mentor and lecturer, Dr. Jones has been involved in the human potential movement for more than twenty-five years. He is also the author of three other books including the bestselling New Thought primer, How to Speak Religious Science. After twenty-three years as the founder and spiritual director of OneSpirit Center for Conscious living in Simi Valley, California, Dennis retired from the pulpit in 2008 to take his message to the world by means of his books, sacred journeys travel program, spiritual mentoring, keynote speaking and seminars. Visit him on the web at www.dennismerrittjones.com.