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Comfortable With Uncertainty: 108 Teachings On Cultivating Fearlessness And Compassion
This book offers short, stand-alone readings designed to help us cultivate compassion and awareness amid the challenges of daily living. More than a collection of thoughts for the day, Comfortable with Uncertainty offers a progressive program of spiritual study, leading the reader through essential concepts, themes, and practices on the Buddhist path.
Comfortable with...more
Comfortable with...more
Paperback, 222 pages
Published
December 30th 2003
by Shambhala
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Have you ever heard the adage, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”
This book is like that for me. I have had it for a few months now, and dipped into its very very short chapters from time to time. But recently I read it fully and it lifted a blind in my window.
Of course I had to get past the “Four truths of enlightenment” and the “Six beliefs of compassion” and the “Three ways of feeling pain“. The trite phrase “be here now” that I see in management traini...more
This book is like that for me. I have had it for a few months now, and dipped into its very very short chapters from time to time. But recently I read it fully and it lifted a blind in my window.
Of course I had to get past the “Four truths of enlightenment” and the “Six beliefs of compassion” and the “Three ways of feeling pain“. The trite phrase “be here now” that I see in management traini...more
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Frank Jude
rated it
Recommends it for:
every student of Yoga/Dharma.
Shelves:
buddhism,
philosophy-spirituality
This is a great, little book: 108 pithy teachings and instructions forming an integrated course of practice of vipassana, lojong, the four brahma-viharas, tonglen and the bodhisattva paramitas. The first year it came out, I read it through, one teaching a day for 108 days, reflecting on the teachings and following the practices. Then, I began again and did it two more times as an almost year-long practice. Since then, I've encouraged several of my students to take up that practice and they have ...more
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This book takes a look a how we deal with our uncertain lives and times. Chodron is a Buddhist nun and she uses the teachings of Buddhism to illustrate her points throughout the book, which is actually excerpts of lectures she has given around the world. This is far from doctrinaire religion or self-help as possible, in fact she gently chides religious thinking as just another way for a person to escape from what is truly real and look for a "hand to hold" which isn't really there. The...more
This is a great "beside table" kind of book. Pema Chödrön is an American Buddhist nun in the lineage of Chögyam Trungpa. She is resident teacher at Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia, the first Tibetan monastery in North America established for Westerners. She does an excellent job of translating Buddhist teachings into Western terms and reference. There is also a helpful glossary in the back, which I appreciated. The book is in 108 mini-chapters, so you can read them in whatever order you w...more
Glenna
is currently reading it
this book is absolutely amazing! It teaches so much about learning to live with fear and pain and how those things actually make life worth living and...I don't even know how to begin to expain it but it's based a lot on buddhist principles...check it out, really!
This book found its way into my hands at the perfect moment. I'd been struggling with consistently getting to my meditation cushion. A lay Buddhist monk suggested that I needed to develop joy around sitting. Reading one or two of the pithy chapters in this book aroused such joy. I've read several books by Pema and watched her DVD series on The Way of the Bodhisattva, so I already admired her teaching. How terrific to find her instruction encapsulated in a collection of two page readings. Not onl...more
This is the third or fourth book by Pema Chodron that I've read in the past five-or-so years. I'd be hard pressed to differentiate among them. That's not a negative comment, though. In every book, Pema's basically telling the same story: she's sharing the messages of the Buddha on how to alleviate dukkha (suffering, dissastisfaction) and live more sanely. Like any good teacher, she makes her points in various ways so that we're more likely to get the message: maybe understand more clearly, cat...more
I listened to each disc in this book twice (disc 1 twice, then disc 2 twice and so on). It is one that you can pop a disc in, listen for five minutes, and get something of value. I know I will listen through it many times in the future-- and each time will hear something new.
This book is a great introduction to many Buddhist concepts which challenged (in a positive way) my self-concept and the way I approach obstacles and emotions. I am looking forward to "reading" more ...more
This book is a great introduction to many Buddhist concepts which challenged (in a positive way) my self-concept and the way I approach obstacles and emotions. I am looking forward to "reading" more ...more
I simply picked this up to satisfy my curiosity about Pema Chödrön whose name I had heard here and there. These are 108 short sections that give you a flavor of some sort of Tibetan Buddhism. They are a little different than Zen, which is what appeals to me much more, in that concepts like "loving-kindness," "bodhichitta-warrior," and "tonglen" are central. I didn't find myself extremely comfortable with all this but I enjoyed the book nonetheless. Chödrön has a...more
This book is a wonderful book for getting into meditation. It bring in many of the Buddhist teaching and actually give some instructions on what to focus on and the concepts of "Tonglen" while you meditate (basically breathing in the negative thoughts and breathing out compassion). I would recommend this book to anyone looking to find themselves and connect with their core values and develop compassion and understand of themselves and others. Pema writes in a such a welcoming manner th...more
A multifaceted jewel and game-changer.
When I was in DC this summer my friend Stephen gave me this book. I wasn’t even able to glance at it until we got back to Negril, but I loved the title. I recall checking out When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron years ago, but at that time I wasn’t ready to dwell deeply on these ideas.
I read this book slowly, a couple of pages a day. It consists of 108 short chapters excerpted from Pema’s previous books. This is all about how to li...more
When I was in DC this summer my friend Stephen gave me this book. I wasn’t even able to glance at it until we got back to Negril, but I loved the title. I recall checking out When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron years ago, but at that time I wasn’t ready to dwell deeply on these ideas.
I read this book slowly, a couple of pages a day. It consists of 108 short chapters excerpted from Pema’s previous books. This is all about how to li...more
I like this book, but hate her audio books because she slurps like an old lady and it makes me want to throw up. I couldn't listen to them anymore and threw it away, but I like her overall message of serenity through spiritualism. Although I've never been able to console myself within her particular faith, it is absolutely wonderful to see someone adopt an attitude of preservance that is an example to us in these days of divorce and worldly misery. The patience to succeed is not common.
The third Pema Chodron book on CD that I listened to. 108 is the number of prayer beads on a Buddhist mala. These are 108 short, 2-3 page teachings. A good introduction/overview, and another way of touching on the things she says in the other CDs of hers that I have listened to. Some topics: bodhichitta; the boddhisattva warrior; maitri (loving-kindness); suffering; tonglen; slogans.
This book on CD is not read by Chodron, btw.
This book on CD is not read by Chodron, btw.
This is a practical guide to Buddhist thinking and meditation practice in the straightforward prose of a Westerner. It's great stuff. Chodron makes the point that we must learn to be kind to ourselves--not self-deprecating but self-accepting. The point reminds me of why I think most Christian churches--especially the United Methodist tradition I grew up with--is more a disease than a spiritual path.
I've read this book several times-I alternate between it and From Fear To Fearlessness, and Start Where You Are. I read a couple of pages every night before bed. I find Pema Chodron's voice incredibly reasonable in an unreasonable world. This book is my favorite because it has over 100 short lessons, and I learn something new every time I read them.
This book is composed of 108 chapters, each which is two pages or less. It is a wonderful book when you want something quick and easy to pick up/put down. Although you will find yourself hesitating to put it down. Full of Chondron's poetic teachings and nicely organized this is an inspiring book which challenges us to fulfill our potential. If you like any of Chondron's previous books you will like this one.
This is my first book by Chodron and I found it to be a great read. I enjoyed many of the lessons and will take all of them to heart as I continue my spiritual journey.
However, the books was a little random, making it difficult to move from one lesson to the next. But Chodron's writing is good enough to help overlook that pitfall.
However, the books was a little random, making it difficult to move from one lesson to the next. But Chodron's writing is good enough to help overlook that pitfall.
This is a beautiful beautiful book. Crucial wisdom for all humanity, especially us Westerners who white knuckle our way through life, always trying to maintain control and grappling with our need/desire to know what lies around the next corner.....in this way we create our own suffering. This is absolutely a must-read.
The goal isn't really to become comfortable with uncertainty but rather to embrace the fear . . . the discomfort and relax in the moment of "uncomfortableness". As the summer of reflect comes to an end my goal is to embrace the fear and discomfort-- to relax in the moment. I'm on the path each moment each day. I'm me again.
I didn't follow all of this, but didn't expect to either. This is a book of excerpts from Chodron's other works and each is meant to be read alone. I may borrow this book again after I've read some more in depth materials. Seems like it's a handy reference to have around.
I had to return this book to the library before getting beyond the first fifth of it. It's too early for me to make a through judgment but I feel comfortable saying that it is a wise book written in an easy, conversational style. I hope to check it out for myself soon.
Pema-bites. Carry with you on a trip to Chicago, say, and read a few by flashlight before bed and a few with coffee before heading out. But, these are just the echoes of her longer talks -- and you need to know the longer works for this to be useful, methinks.
not my favorite pema book. the editors did a terrible job compiling the writings and making the thoughts flow. if you haven't read her 'hit novel' "when things fall apart", i recommend you read that buddhisht lovefest before even touching this one.
This book gives short meditations for daily practice. The insights at times have stunned me in their simplicity and power. These meditations had a large hand in helping me to conquer my fear of flying. I keep it next to my bed, and have come back to it time and again.
calling all people who suffer from anxiety! this book has a marvelous handle on teaching the reader to gain comfort during uncertain times. it promotes the knowledge that we all need to ride the waves of life; not fight them. the author points out that as human beings, the first noble truth states that it is part of being human to feel discomfort, but their is an art to getting comfortable with the discomfort. this author reiterates her point: that we all have tigers surrounding us; this is the ...more
I recommend this book to everyone. I will certainly reread the hell out of it. It contains simple Buddhist ideas that are applicable to everyone but especially to those facing serious challenges. The book consists of 1 page-long words of wisdom on different topics. There is some talk about meditation and even though I have no current desire to meditate the advice is still usable in every day life.
Pema Chödrön is one of my favorite Buddhist writers. She's excellent at capturing the heart of Buddhist teachings and presenting them in a way that's easy for the Western mind to absorb.
h.
rated it
Recommends it for:
all Pema's fans
Recommended to h. by:
just following the bread crumbs
Shelves:
it-s-not-all-that
A rather disjointed compilation so I'm down-grading it to a three --- it's worth seeking out the original works. Unless you travel a lot and need like some quick and handy reference material.
Wow. Almost every word is so well chosen. Nothing seems to be out of place. It is going to take several readings and hours and hours of deep thought for me to do this book justice. Chodron gently takes your hand and leads you down what can be a very rough and perilous path, and she does it with such kindness that you have no course but to be astounded. Amazing book.
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Ani Pema Chödrön (Deirdre Blomfield-Brown) is an American Buddhist nun in the Tibetan tradition, closely associated with the Kagyu school and the Shambhala lineage.
She attended Miss Porter's School in Connecticut and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. She taught as an elementary school teacher for many years in both New Mexico and California. Pema has two children...more
More about Pema Chodron...
She attended Miss Porter's School in Connecticut and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. She taught as an elementary school teacher for many years in both New Mexico and California. Pema has two children...more
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“There was once a lady who was arrogant and proud. Determined to attain enlightenment, she asked all the authorities how to go about it. She was told, "Well, if you climb to the top of this very high mountain, you'll find a cave there. Sitting inside that cave is a wise old woman. She will tell you." Having endured great hardships, the lady finally found this cave. Sure enough, sitting there was a gentle spiritual-looking old woman in white clothing, who smiled beatifically. Overcome with awe and respect, the lady prostrated at the feet of this woman and said, "I want to attain enlightenment. Show me how." This wise woman looked at her and asked sweetly, "Are you sure you want to attain enlightenment?" And the woman said, "Of course I'm sure." Whereupon the smiling woman turned into a demon, stood up brandishing a great big stick, and started chasing her, saying, "Now! Now! Now!" For the rest of her life, that lady could never get away from the demon who was always saying, Now! Now--that's the key. Mindfulness trains us to be awake and alive, fully curious, about now.”
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