Radical Responsibility

“At once inspiring and practical, this book masterfully shows us how to thrive in the face of adversity. Based on insights from ancient wisdom traditions, modern neuroscience, contemporary psychology, and his own remarkable journey from maximum-security prison inmate to transformative teacher, Fleet Maul provides a wealth of accessible tools anyone can use to discover their own basic goodness and engage more fruitfully in the world. With warmth, skill, and humility, he provides step-by-step instructions to help us courageously face reality, heal our wounds, and live richer, happier, more fulfilled, and effective lives.” —Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD, assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and author of The Mindfulness Solution: Everyday Practices for Everyday Problems

“I’ve been teaching about the importance of looking at everything through the lens of personal responsibility for decades. Taking personal responsibility is the only ‘above the line’ perspective. Anything else—blaming, shaming, or justifying—is decidedly ‘below the line,’ and will only hold you back and limit your opportunities for advancement and growth. Fleet addresses this issue beautifully in Radical Responsibility, and I wholeheartedly endorse his work.” —Marshall Thurber, cofounder of Burklyn, student of Buckminster Fuller and W. Edwards Deming, and creator of Money and You

“This important work by Fleet Maull is full of practical wisdom and written from his deep experience as a teacher, practitioner, and guide of corporate executives, chaplains, and those serving others. It is a rare treasure and a book for today and for all time.” —Roshi Joan Halifax, PhD, abbot of Upaya Zen Center and author of Standing at the Edge: Finding Freedom Where Fear and Courage Meet

“Radical Responsibility is an empowering and heartfelt guidebook to living more fully, a systematic training for practical liberation in your life.” —Jack Kornfield, PhD, author of A Path with Heart

“This is one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read. With great clarity and heart, it combines brain science, psychology, and soulful wisdom to help readers grow inner strength and inner peace. Fleet Maull is a friendly guide—someone who has seen both the worst of life and its highest possibilities, and who brings gritty good humor, deep insight, and practical suggestions to every page.” —Rick Hanson, PhD, author of Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness

“It's a rare privilege to read the work of someone who walks the talk as fully as Fleet Maull. The transforming wisdom of his extraordinary life experience—from dharma practitioner to prison inmate to spiritual mentor—suffuses every page of this wonderful book. Engaging, pragmatic, and deeply insightful, Radical Responsibility shows us all how to take responsibility for the habit patterns of our lives. With personal stories, psychological research, and a range of meditative exercises, Fleet illuminates the possibilities of living a freer and more joyful life. Highly recommended.” —Joseph Goldstein, author of Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening

“Fleet Maull has lived a life of transformation. Emerging from a drama-filled life that led to imprisonment, he knows deeply what I call the ‘Dreaded Drama Triangle’—originally the Karpman Drama Triangle—and its roles of Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer. His journey of awakening to his essence as a Creator should be an inspiration to all. He is an exemplar of TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic®) and, through Radical Responsibility, he serves as a Challenger and Coach to readers to become Creators in their own lives.” —David Emerald (Womeldorff), author of The Power of TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic)

“Following the path Radical Responsibility—a gift to us from author Fleet Maull's amazing real-life backstory—we learn to own our choices and create the freedom to craft our lives to be truly happy, reach our highest potential, and be a force for good that can change the world.” —Sharon Salzberg, author of Real Happiness and Real Love

“Fleet Maull draws on his unique life journey and remarkable expertise, sharing with us how we can find equanimity and compassion in the maelstrom of our days. Radical Responsibility offers a sound and original blueprint for a life well lived.” —Daniel Goleman, author Emotional Intelligence

“A practical, direct, and accessible guide to human flourishing from someone who faced tremendous adversity and emerged from this challenge with vigor, equanimity, and the deepest passion to share his wisdom for the benefit of others. This book is a gift for anyone facing adversity, which is all of us!” —Richard J. Davidson, PhD, coauthor of The Emotional Life of Your Brain and Altered Traits; founder and director, Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison

“Fleet Maull’s creative and time-tested framework for reining in your own mind’s inflammatory, self-destructive, imprisoning tendencies can be powerfully freeing—and healing. All you need to do is put it into practice. He guides you in exactly how to do that and sustain it for life. You couldn’t be in better hands or have a more capable and authentic guide.” —Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, author of Full Catastrophe Living and Mindfulness for All

“The path of Radical Responsibility evolves our capacity to respond—with wisdom, courage, and love—to the suffering of our world. Author Fleet Maull guides us masterfully in awakening from our separateness and inspires a profound dedication to caring for ourselves and each other.” —Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge