Chapter 1 A Case for Intentional Amateurism 1
Chapter 2 The Spirituality of Intentional Amateurism and the Making of an Amateur's Menu 19
Chapter 3 Curiosity: Failure Is Fascinating 41
Chapter 4 Mindfulness: Be Like Water, My Friend 59
Chapter 5 Self-Compassion: We're Not Beethoven 79
Chapter 6 Play: Lessons from a Toilet-Roll Mermaid 97
Chapter 7 Stretch Zone: The Only Way to Do It Is to Do It 113
Chapter 8 Connection: Getting Your Essential Vitamin 133
Chapter 9 Wonder and Awe: Trenches, Hummingbirds, and Fuzzy Stars 151
Chapter 10 The Path to Transcendence 173
Abridged List of Amateur Pursuits: Things I Tried and Didn't Try (but Still Might) 187
Acknowledgments 195
Notes 199