book data
567 ratings, 4.47 average rating, 82 reviews
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published
August 21st 2002
by Shambhala
binding
Hardcover, 128 pages
isbn
1570624097
(isbn13: 9781570624094)
description
Pema Chödrön may have more good one-liners than a Groucho Marx retrospective, but this nun's stingers go straight to the heart: "The essence of...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 939)
Read in January, 1998
took this book to read on my first jury duty summons... Didn't realize I was reading a "self-help" book until I was done. Uplifting and encouraging... like a little Yoda in my backpack.
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Read in November, 2008
As I was brushing my teeth this morning after finishing this book, this line came into my head:
When I find myself of times of trouble, Pema Chodron calls to me, speaking words of wisdom: Let it be...
Corny, huh? Totally true. I read When Things Fall Apart over a year ago when I was going through a really rough time, and when I hit a serious road block nearly two months ago, I picked this'n up. In similar fashion with my reading habits of late, I only just finished this ...more
When I find myself of times of trouble, Pema Chodron calls to me, speaking words of wisdom: Let it be...
Corny, huh? Totally true. I read When Things Fall Apart over a year ago when I was going through a really rough time, and when I hit a serious road block nearly two months ago, I picked this'n up. In similar fashion with my reading habits of late, I only just finished this ...more
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I have only started this short book but I am already blown away. It was recommended to me years ago, but just now picked it up when I saw it at the library. The thing about Buddhist texts is that I often find myself reading something and thinking, "wow, I have missed that point all these years!" I don't know if I have missed them, or if I just forget and then come back to them or if I just wasnt ready to hear them the first 5 times, but no matter there are some potent thoughts in this ...more
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Read in July, 2008
This book, a gift from my friend Taylor, surprised me a bit. Its about balancing your inner self through a series of compassionate exercises. The book talks about buddhicitta, a way of awakening yourself by walking a middle path. It shows you how to sit with yourself and accept all the things that make you an individual-- the good and the bad. Just sitting around is something I don't do often and I know I need to face up to what I am rather than just being a human doing. I know I've picked up so...more
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Read in October, 2008
Talk about looking yourself dead in the mirror. Read this book and you'll expose yourself not only to your deepest fears, but you'll realize that "you" yourself are your deepest fear. Keep reading, though, and you will find solace and intimacy with yourself that you didn't know existed.
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What heart! What inspiration! Pema Chodron, a Buddhist nun, helps us touch Truth. She shines a light on meditative practices. Flavored with her personal journey and bits of Buddhist wisdom, she shares some life-altering insights, like the following gems: "Difficult people are the greatest teachers", "The essence of bravery is being without self-deception" and "When we practice generosity, we become intimate with our grasping". She offers tools for transforming...more
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
anyone
Pema Chodron has written several books on the Buddhist approach to inner peace. I chose this one first because I have been concentrating on the discipline of fearlessness for some time.
I found the book very conversational in tone, and filled with familiar ideas which seemed very much like old friends. I also found, as you would expect, plenty of helpful advice on dealing with fear. For example:
"As we continue to do this practice, we make friends with our fears, our ...more
I found the book very conversational in tone, and filled with familiar ideas which seemed very much like old friends. I also found, as you would expect, plenty of helpful advice on dealing with fear. For example:
"As we continue to do this practice, we make friends with our fears, our ...more
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Read in January, 2003
Anything by Pema Chodron is worth reading. Read it in small increments. She is an American Buddhist nun that is the head of Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is amazing how accessible and applicable her Buddhist teachings are for anyone. Many of her books talk about how we need to sit with difficult times and see them rather than run from them. I could have easily put any other books of hers.
I have a number of friends who do not read Buddhist writings and who have become fans o...more
I have a number of friends who do not read Buddhist writings and who have become fans o...more
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone else trying to deal with their shit and be deeply honest w/ themselves
Woooh...I picked this up after being profoundly touched by Pema’s "Heart Advice For Difficult Times"... This is a very slow and personal read for me. It's is the kind of book I can read gobble through, but also read, and re-read, and re-read the same paragraph or sentence and be awakened and touched in different ways every time.
The writer is Buddhist, and I apply this work to my developing Buddhist practice; however I recommend this book to everyone. Still, probably the be...more
The writer is Buddhist, and I apply this work to my developing Buddhist practice; however I recommend this book to everyone. Still, probably the be...more
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Read in October, 2008
I like books about making and leading change in organizations.... and this is a good book about leading change in your life.
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Read in December, 2008
This book makes me want to read more of Pema Chodron, so I can understand more about love and compassion, our common oneness, and the actions in life that condemn, or promote us. This book called me out on everything, and patted my back at the same time.
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone who desires to make or is facing a big change in their life.
So far, I like it much better than her When Things Fall Apart. A different editor, perhaps? The writing is much more linear without the sometimes condescending, folkloric anecdotes that have not been growing on me after reading two of her books prior to this one.
I got this book because I'm thinking of going back into teaching, starting as a substitute teacher. That scares me! I would buy this book, it would be good to have around anytime. The copy I'm currently reading is from t...more
I got this book because I'm thinking of going back into teaching, starting as a substitute teacher. That scares me! I would buy this book, it would be good to have around anytime. The copy I'm currently reading is from t...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
Pretty much everyone can learn something here
"Who is this monolithic me that has been so offended? And who is this other person who can trigger me like this? What is this praise and blame that hooks me like a fish, that catches me like a mouse in a trap? How is it that these circumstances have the power to propel me like a ping-pong ball from hope to fear, from happiness to misery?" This big-deal struggle, this big-deal self, and this big-deal other could all be lightened up considerably.
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
Anyone
The great thing Pema Chodron teaches is how to be more compassionate and empathetic and to be conscious of compassionate action as a source of peace and strength. I think we all aspire vaguely to be "better people," but I've always struggled with the "how" of that. How to stay calm when you're feeling uncomfortable? How to stay open to others' needs and feelings? How to change knee-jerk habits that cause conflict and pain? Buddhism helps with the how.
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone moving through their dark places.
A friend of mine lent this book to me. As it turns out, it became a source of calm and focus when less than a week later a close family member discovered she had terminal cancer. I wanted to, and consequently was able to simply move through her experience by her side to the end of her life. I believe this book offered me insight, the light with which to go into that dark place. I recommend this book to everyone moving through their dark places. Peace.
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The ideas of compassion and feeling emotion in a place that I hate living was incredibly powerful for me. The power of being empathic and forgiving in a world full of people who have tried to ruin our society is challenging but it keeps me from kicking ass.
Otherwise, it's a powerful book that helps give language to the swirlings and stirrings within our complicated hearts. The perspective of this awesome, American monk has changed my life.
Otherwise, it's a powerful book that helps give language to the swirlings and stirrings within our complicated hearts. The perspective of this awesome, American monk has changed my life.
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Read in April, 2008
Straight Buddhist thought. Being that, it heavily overlaps (differing only in terminology) with the principles of success that we hear from Creation Tree Coaching and like-minded people. Thus, it's a fresh angle on known material.
There is some nice stuff about compassion, forgiveness, and patience with self.
The down side people may experience is that the Buddhism may be confusing, if they're not already familiar with it.
There is some nice stuff about compassion, forgiveness, and patience with self.
The down side people may experience is that the Buddhism may be confusing, if they're not already familiar with it.
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Read in April, 2008
recommended to Famous by:
Dreiky
I never quite finish Pema's books, but i find them super easy to read huge chunks at a time. All the way thru i find my self thinking, "of course, that makes all kinds of sense. i might be able to do this, might actually be able to weather more storms to come..." then i put it down for a long time. then i go back to re-read the same stuff rarely ever advancing. I guess that's why her books stay on the currently reading list..
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Read in April, 2008
This was a wonderful, life affirming book about principles of Buddhism that challenge people to open their hearts following negative experiences rather than building walls. It is valuable, regardless of what your faith is, and very thought provoking. I found it very relevant. Her writing style is easy to follow, and she explains these Buddhist teachings so that they are accessible. I would highly recommend this book.
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Read in April, 2008
This woman is brilliant. She is simple, clear, in her delivery- a Buddhist comedian. I read this book at a tough time and it provided guidance and clarity which led to direction. Gotta love Pema. Regardless of reading it during a tough time, everyone should read a chapter of this book a day. Chapters are only about 3 pages. Plus, it's difficult to actually absorb and practice more than one chapter a day.
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