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No Time to Lose A Timely Guide to the Way of the Bodhisattva
Over the years, Pema Chödrön's books have offered readers an exciting new way of developing fearlessness, generosity, and compassion in all aspects of their lives. In this new book, she invites readers to venture further along the path of the "bodhisattva warrior," explaining in depth how we can awaken the softness of our hearts and develop true confidence amid the challenges of daily living. In No Time to Lose Chödrön reveals the traditional Buddhist teachings that guide her own those of The Way of the Bodhisattva ( Bodhicharyavatara), a text written by the eighth-century sage Shantideva. This treasured Buddhist work is remarkably relevant for our times, describing the steps we can take to cultivate courage, caring, and joy—the key to healing ourselves and our troubled world. Chödrön offers us a highly practical and engaging commentary on this essential text, explaining how its profound teachings can be applied to our daily lives. Full of illuminating stories and practical exercises, this fresh and accessible guide shows us that the path of the bodhisattva is open to each and every one of us. Pema Chödrön urges us to embark on this transformative path today, writing, "There is no time to lose—but not to worry, we can do it."
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First published November 1, 2005
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About the author
Pema Chödrön
198 books5,396 followersAni 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 and three grandchildren.
While in her mid-thirties, she traveled to the French Alps and encountered Lama Chime Rinpoche, with whom she studied for several years. She became a novice nun in 1974 while studying with Lama Chime in London. His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa came to England at that time, and Ani Pema received her ordination from him.
Ani Pema first met her root guru, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, in 1972. Lama Chime encouraged her to work with Trungpa, and it was with him that she ultimately made her most profound connection, studying with him from 1974 until his death in 1987. At the request of the Sixteenth Karmapa, she received the full bikshuni ordination in the Chinese lineage of Buddhism in 1981 in Hong Kong.
Ani Pema served as the director of the Karma Dzong, in Boulder, CO, until moving in 1984 to rural Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to be the director of Gampo Abbey. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave her explicit instructions on establishing this monastery for western monks and nuns.
Ani Pema currently teaches in the United States and Canada and plans for an increased amount of time in solitary retreat under the guidance of Venerable Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche.
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 and three grandchildren.
While in her mid-thirties, she traveled to the French Alps and encountered Lama Chime Rinpoche, with whom she studied for several years. She became a novice nun in 1974 while studying with Lama Chime in London. His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa came to England at that time, and Ani Pema received her ordination from him.
Ani Pema first met her root guru, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, in 1972. Lama Chime encouraged her to work with Trungpa, and it was with him that she ultimately made her most profound connection, studying with him from 1974 until his death in 1987. At the request of the Sixteenth Karmapa, she received the full bikshuni ordination in the Chinese lineage of Buddhism in 1981 in Hong Kong.
Ani Pema served as the director of the Karma Dzong, in Boulder, CO, until moving in 1984 to rural Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to be the director of Gampo Abbey. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave her explicit instructions on establishing this monastery for western monks and nuns.
Ani Pema currently teaches in the United States and Canada and plans for an increased amount of time in solitary retreat under the guidance of Venerable Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
June 12, 2008
This is a detailed, verse by verse commentary on The Bodhicaryavatara. This is a text that has parts I love, and parts I find difficult, so getting talked through by one of my favourite dharma teachers was a treat, and just as I thought she would, Pema Chodren has elucidated the difficulties for me with her usual humour and warm intelligence. This book has really enriched my understanding.
I also really liked her guidance for studying. I have always liked to do my dharma reading aloud to help me absorb it, so I was delighted to learn this is the traditional way to read the Bodhicaryavatara, so that any passing living beings can get the benefit of it. So I read it to my friend's cat, which was possibly a bit eccentric, but will probably have been good for both of us. :-)
I also really liked her guidance for studying. I have always liked to do my dharma reading aloud to help me absorb it, so I was delighted to learn this is the traditional way to read the Bodhicaryavatara, so that any passing living beings can get the benefit of it. So I read it to my friend's cat, which was possibly a bit eccentric, but will probably have been good for both of us. :-)
January 3, 2012
Pema Chädrön is a wise woman and this book are an important book for everybody not only Buddhists, in a world developing faster than ever with more choices than ever. Still we have developed a world of fear with financial crises and terrorism. This beautiful book is pinpointing the need to develop true compassion for others. Only by walking in the city you will on your way see homeless, drug addict or mentally unstable people, stop breathing in their pain and blow out your happy wishes for them. This is a good start to develop a way to a more human friendly and warm society. Pema Chädrön writes beautifully and with an understandable wisdom on the subject. The book is based upon a classical text written by the eight century sage Shanti deva. The text is remarkably relevant and gives you the teaching on how to develop and cultivate compassion, joy, caring and courage. Teaching that can be applied to our daily lives.
April 24, 2009
I love Pema Chödrön's books. Dharma lessons not to be missed. I find Buddhism very how-to and helpful. So nuch wisdom for the cost of just one book. Everytime I pick it up off my night stand I am in just the right place, getting the right lesson I need at just the right time. I'm sure many people read this book straight through, but I do not. I read it slowly and reflect on the lessons. I do not know when I will finish it and I do not care, because when I do I will just read it once again. I highly recommend all of the books this teacher has written.
January 8, 2009
Chodron looks into the life of Shantideva. He was a monk that all the other monks made fun of because he seemed lazy, dirty and undisciplined. Well then he opened his mouth one day and then began writing scrolls upon scrolls about his teachings - go figure. Another Buddhist metaphor taking the seriousness out of life. Chodron takes her first stab at deconstructing his teachings while still managing to put her American-Pema touch on all her metaphors. Not for the faint of heart, this is an academic book where some more intermediate understanding of Buddhist philosophy helps - not that I'm a spiritual materialist or anything...
October 29, 2012
I waffled between giving this book 3 or 4 stars. The content is 5 star value. I've read many of Pema Chodron's other books and the Buddhist philosophy she teaches makes absolute sense and speaks to me as a spiritual practice. That being said, this particular book is her interpretation of an ancient text written by Shantideva, and it can be a very challenging and frustrating read. Thankfully Pema Chodrom provides the layman's interpretation needed for 21st century Americans to relate. I also read this as part of a book/study group, and the discussion we had along the way enhanced my experience with this book in a way that I would not have been able to have if I had just read it alone. I would put Pema Chodron on the list of required reading for all humans!
October 18, 2014
A wonderful book by Pema Chodron! Pema puts the writings of Shantideva in plain English and reflects her own personal experience with each verse to offer up great lessons for the reader to explore. This book touches on many issues from anger to courage and death. This book has made a huge impact on my life for the better.
December 10, 2017
My decision to become a vegan when I was 20 led me, via a vegetarian girlfriend, to discover Buddhism and Theosophy as taught by its founder H P Blavatsky. Their teachings (karma, reincarnation, compassion, nonviolence, etc.) influenced my understanding of what it means to be vegan and what form animal rights advocacy should take. Now, as I admit in my book Growl, I have not always succeeded in adhering to these values. Nonetheless, as with living as a vegan, it’s the journey not the destination that’s important. I made mistakes and tried to learn from them.
My interest in Buddhism led me to discover Bodhisattvas. They are Buddha-like spiritual beings who voluntarily give up their karmically earned right to nirvana and no longer require the necessity of further incarnations to attain this exalted state. Bodhisattvas make this selfless sacrifice to help all other beings who are still working through their incarnations to achieve nirvana. As Pema Chodron writes in No Time to Lose: A Timely Guide to the Way of the Bodhisattva:
The tremendous sacrifice that Bodhisattvas make inspires me in my advocacy as I know it does for many animal advocates, social justice campaigners, and compassionate people as they live their lives every day. I have always understood vegan animal rights advocacy as a struggle to end animal cruelty and exploitation and instil compassion and moral and legal rights for all sentient beings regardless of species. In short, it’s about the animals and stopping what we do to them by changing our hearts and minds. In my book, it’s not about being the sexiest vegan or the vegan who can lift the most weights. It’s all about what happens in our hearts and minds. It’s learning about how to put others ahead of our selfish, egotistical needs. What’s so wrong with altruistic compassion?
From time to time, I like to recharge my commitment to altruistic compassion by reading such books as Pema Chodron’s No Time to Lose. This book is among several which discuss the teachings of Shantideva who lived in India in the eight-century. The teachings are reproduced in the book along with Chodron’s down to earth thoughts on them. Reading Shantideva’s many insights, every now and then, one stand out as it resonates with me. For example,
I’ve been reading this book for several months. It’s not a book to read quickly. While it’s not difficult to read, it does demand our thoughtful attention. There’s much for everyone to learn here but particularly anyone who wants to learn how to be a more effective advocate for a compassionate world.
My interest in Buddhism led me to discover Bodhisattvas. They are Buddha-like spiritual beings who voluntarily give up their karmically earned right to nirvana and no longer require the necessity of further incarnations to attain this exalted state. Bodhisattvas make this selfless sacrifice to help all other beings who are still working through their incarnations to achieve nirvana. As Pema Chodron writes in No Time to Lose: A Timely Guide to the Way of the Bodhisattva:
Specifically, it is the heartfelt yearning to free oneself from the pain of ignorance and habitual patterns in order to help others do the same. This longing to alleviate the suffering of others is the main point. We start close to home with the wish to help those who we know and love, but the underlying inspiration is global and all encompassing. Bodhichitta [the Sanskrit term often translated as “awakened heart”] is a sort of “mission impossible”: the desire to end the suffering of all beings, including those we’ll never meet, as well as those we loathe. [p. xiii]
The tremendous sacrifice that Bodhisattvas make inspires me in my advocacy as I know it does for many animal advocates, social justice campaigners, and compassionate people as they live their lives every day. I have always understood vegan animal rights advocacy as a struggle to end animal cruelty and exploitation and instil compassion and moral and legal rights for all sentient beings regardless of species. In short, it’s about the animals and stopping what we do to them by changing our hearts and minds. In my book, it’s not about being the sexiest vegan or the vegan who can lift the most weights. It’s all about what happens in our hearts and minds. It’s learning about how to put others ahead of our selfish, egotistical needs. What’s so wrong with altruistic compassion?
From time to time, I like to recharge my commitment to altruistic compassion by reading such books as Pema Chodron’s No Time to Lose. This book is among several which discuss the teachings of Shantideva who lived in India in the eight-century. The teachings are reproduced in the book along with Chodron’s down to earth thoughts on them. Reading Shantideva’s many insights, every now and then, one stand out as it resonates with me. For example,
The pains and sorrows of all wandering beings—
May they ripen wholly on myself.
And may the virtuous company of bodhisattvas
Bring about the happiness of beings.
[10.56; p. 359]
I’ve been reading this book for several months. It’s not a book to read quickly. While it’s not difficult to read, it does demand our thoughtful attention. There’s much for everyone to learn here but particularly anyone who wants to learn how to be a more effective advocate for a compassionate world.
August 7, 2008
This is not an introductory book for someone new to Buddhism. It is an excellent book for someone who knows some basics about Buddhism, has picked up a practice, and wishes to deepen their understanding and spiritual aspirations.
It may be hard to keep in mind that what Pema Chodron writes is the commentary and the text of focus is ancient teachings from the Tibetan lineage of Buddhism. It is customary in Buddhism to do this in order to carry forward the teaching from another time and place to the current time. A teacher in her own right, Chodron keeps it meaningful and inspiring. There are times, but very few, when the prejudices of Shantideva's time and place will rub one the wrong way.
Some wisdom from Shantideva:
The goal of every act is happiness itself,
Though even with great wealth, it's rarely found.
So take your pleasure in the qualities of others.
Let them be a heartfelt joy to you.
By acting thus, in this life you'll lose nothing;
In future lives, great bliss will come to you.
The sin of envy brings not joy but pain,
And in the future, dreadful suffering. (Shantideva 5.77,78)
The book is all about bodhichitta, which is the flash of lightning and hte buddha's power:
As when a flash of lightning rends the night,
And in its glare shows all the dark black clouds had hid,
Likewise rarely, through the buddha's power,
Virtuous thoughts arise, brief and transient, in the world (Shantideva 1.5)
It may be hard to keep in mind that what Pema Chodron writes is the commentary and the text of focus is ancient teachings from the Tibetan lineage of Buddhism. It is customary in Buddhism to do this in order to carry forward the teaching from another time and place to the current time. A teacher in her own right, Chodron keeps it meaningful and inspiring. There are times, but very few, when the prejudices of Shantideva's time and place will rub one the wrong way.
Some wisdom from Shantideva:
The goal of every act is happiness itself,
Though even with great wealth, it's rarely found.
So take your pleasure in the qualities of others.
Let them be a heartfelt joy to you.
By acting thus, in this life you'll lose nothing;
In future lives, great bliss will come to you.
The sin of envy brings not joy but pain,
And in the future, dreadful suffering. (Shantideva 5.77,78)
The book is all about bodhichitta, which is the flash of lightning and hte buddha's power:
As when a flash of lightning rends the night,
And in its glare shows all the dark black clouds had hid,
Likewise rarely, through the buddha's power,
Virtuous thoughts arise, brief and transient, in the world (Shantideva 1.5)
August 27, 2016
I generally find Pema Chödrön to be adept at translating Buddhist principles into everyday language with humor. I loved, "The Places that Scare You." This book is a little different from her other works. It's a commentary on Shantideva's "A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way Of Life." Chödrön goes through the classic Mahayana Buddhist text virtually line by line, commenting on meaning, interpretation and practice. If one is to undertake the study of this text, I would recommend this book. She has some excellent suggestions at the end of the book for how to do this. It will serve as a nice reference for me. There isn't anything wrong with it; it just didn't speak to me. I didn't find it to be as readable and approachable as her other books.
March 30, 2010
I love Pema Chodron and I love her books, but this one is pretty much a translation about Shantideva's writings/poetry. When she interprets these teachings, she often doesn't add any particularly unique voice. Normally, Pema has a real gift for making cryptic, dense teachings very accessible, but that is not the case with this book.
October 17, 2012
I tried and tried to read this. I don't know if it was just over my head or what? I love to hear how people sort out life in their head. What makes them tick? I had trouble with this one, understanding it all.
June 2, 2020
A well-written, highly accessible commentary by Pema Chödrön, an ordained Buddhist nun in the Tibetan lineage, on the Indian Buddhist Mahayana classic “Entering the Boddhisattva Path”, or Bodhicharyavatara, by Shantideva, originally delivered as a dharma talk at a monastery. The text and the commentary present the heart of the teaching about fostering wisdom (prajna) and compassion (karuna), along with other virtues, and the meditation (dhyana) practices to support the development of the awakened heart-mind (bodhichitta). The nature of “emptiness” or “groundlessness” (shunyata) is also examined.
July 30, 2021
Pema Chodron interprets and comments on the writing of Shantideva.
The 8th-century monk's delightful vivid imagery and gentle humor is framed by Chodron in modern terms so it's easily accessible. The result is an engaging and thought-provoking balance of their work and times.
Be prepared for ancient gender stereotypes, and for modern references that may appear to assume readers' homogeneity of class and cultural experiences, Chodron and Shantideva both being people, just like us, writing from who and where they were.
I've just finished the audiobook, reserved a print copy at the library, and might ultimately buy a print copy to dip into from time to time, and have on hand as a reference.
The 8th-century monk's delightful vivid imagery and gentle humor is framed by Chodron in modern terms so it's easily accessible. The result is an engaging and thought-provoking balance of their work and times.
Be prepared for ancient gender stereotypes, and for modern references that may appear to assume readers' homogeneity of class and cultural experiences, Chodron and Shantideva both being people, just like us, writing from who and where they were.
I've just finished the audiobook, reserved a print copy at the library, and might ultimately buy a print copy to dip into from time to time, and have on hand as a reference.
January 27, 2025
Pretty solid stuff in here. Some parts, particularly the section about lust, felt a bit dated and attempts to modernize it seemed forced. But still a great read
February 23, 2017
Our enemies are helpers in my bodhisattva work and therefore they should be a joy to me. Will Trump ever be a joy to me? seems unlikely.
April 17, 2019
As usual Pema seems to be brimming over with compassion and wisdom. The source text she is interpreting is something else entirely. It is shock full of deities, hells, torture, blind belief, ancient misogyny, the supernatural, etc etc. When an "interpretation" results in something that is largely the opposite of what is actually written I think we have gone well past "interpretation" and entered into the realms of desperately twisting what is actually written in order to try and make it conform to current wisdom and understanding. The need to do this is, I suspect, largely based on the inherited dogmatic view that this bit of literature is pure wisdom gold, even though a literal reading of it indicates that it is a very mixed bag indeed. This to me seems more like teaching delusion than wise explication of a supposedly profound text.
October 13, 2011
I was given this book by a therapist a while back...yes, I've been to a therapist. I pulled a lot of great thoughts out of this book and would highly recommend it to those of us that have minimum knowledge of Buddhism, like myself. Chodron takes the teachings of Shantiveda and puts a professorial spin on them by using excerpts of his writing.
I did, however, find myself drifting constantly and having to reread entire 1/2 pages just to get through it. It is heavy reading and takes time to digest.
I did, however, find myself drifting constantly and having to reread entire 1/2 pages just to get through it. It is heavy reading and takes time to digest.
May 26, 2018
As a running commentary on 1300-year-old poem, this was not an easy read. But it was worth it. It taught me yet more about familiar themes like generosity, meditation, and compassion. That the wisdom comes from so long ago - is almost timeless - makes me want to embrace it all the more. (Perhaps that's how some may feel about their religious texts, though this work isn't about religion at all.)
If you're already familiar with Pema Chödrön's work, consider this a wonderful addition to your education and practice.
If you're already familiar with Pema Chödrön's work, consider this a wonderful addition to your education and practice.
Currently reading
June 8, 2012This book is helping me get through a very difficult time in my life. I think it it more "traditional Buddhist teaching" that some of her other books. It is a wonderful commentary on "The Way Of The Bhodisattva" and a great tool to help you understand how Buddhism is a way of life rather than a religion. Pens makes it easy to understand the poetry and the essence of the text as well as the practical implications of the text.
January 29, 2014
A beautiful guide through The Way OF The Bodhisattva by Shantideva. A lot of this book will stay with me for a long time. If you can take even a little from it about treating others with compassion, or even learning compassion in the first place, then the time has been well spent. Grasp the idea that it's okay not to be perfect. We're human; we're not supposed to be perfect. But treat your fellow humans with love and respect.
July 14, 2019
The theme of awakening Boddhicitta and aiming to benefit all the beings surely merits 5 stars, and Pema's down-to-earth interpretations are great. Unfortunately, as a commentary, I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as many other books with a clear structure and less poetic style. It was still well worth reading.
July 4, 2011
I love all of Pema's books that I have read. They are much easier for me to grasp than the Buddhist books written by an Easterner...IE..The Dali Lama. This book however did not resonate with me as much as her others. Not sure way. Will probably try it again at a later date.
April 13, 2013
As usual Pema yields a sword of clarity on the teachings. Very accessible text for anyone making their way through Shantideva's writings.
For more comments see here.
For more comments see here.
August 10, 2008
This was a slow, pop-in here and there read - but I enjoyed it. It's a book I'll peek into again and again.
January 7, 2023
Amazing. Third time through I think. This time listening to Ani Pema on Audible. Always fresh, even 1400 years later.
December 21, 2020
I spent my time with this and it was totally worth it.
February 11, 2023
I read No Time to Lose as part of a Zen sangha book group. I found Pema Chodron's guidance and interpretation of the verses to be a great aid to my understanding. Being able to discuss the work with others as we moved through it was also enriching. Certain verses spoke deeply to me and are a good guidepost on the path.
10.2
May beings everywhere, who suffer
Torment in their mind and bodies
Have by virtue of my merit,
Joy and happiness in boundless measure.
10.3
As long as they may linger in samsara,
May their present joy know no decline,
And may they taste of unsurpassed beatitude
In constant and unbroken continuity.
10.18
And may the blind receive their sight,
And may the deaf begin to hear,
And women near their time bring forth
Like Mayadevi free form pain.
10.19
And may the naked now be clothed,
And all the hungry eat their fill.
And may those parched with thirst receive
Pure waters and delicious drink.
10.20
May the poor and destitute find wealth,
The haggard and the careworn, joy.
May confidence relieve those in despair
And bring them steadfastness and every excellence.
10.21
May every being ailing with disease
Be Freed at once from every malady.
May all the sickness that afflicts the living
Be instantly and permanently healed.
10.22
May those who go in dread have no more fear.
May captives be unchained and now set free.
And may the weak receive their strength.
May living beings help each other in kindness.
10.26
May children and the old, the weak, protectorless,
Bewildered in the wild and pathless wastes,
And those whose minds are dulled, and all who are insane,
Have pure celestial beings as their guardians.
10.27 May all attain the human state,
And be possessed of wisdom, faith, and love.
With perfect livelihood and sustenance,
May they have minfulness throughout teir lives.
10.28
May everyone have unrestricted wealth,
Just like the treasury of space,
Enjoying it according to their wish,
Without a trace of harm or enmity.
10.29
May beings destitute of splendor,
Become magnificent and bright.
And those work down by toil and drudgery
Acquire great beauty and perfection.
10.31
And thus by all the merit I have gained,
May every being, leaving none aside,
Abandon all their evil ways
Embracing goodness now and ever more.
10.2
May beings everywhere, who suffer
Torment in their mind and bodies
Have by virtue of my merit,
Joy and happiness in boundless measure.
10.3
As long as they may linger in samsara,
May their present joy know no decline,
And may they taste of unsurpassed beatitude
In constant and unbroken continuity.
10.18
And may the blind receive their sight,
And may the deaf begin to hear,
And women near their time bring forth
Like Mayadevi free form pain.
10.19
And may the naked now be clothed,
And all the hungry eat their fill.
And may those parched with thirst receive
Pure waters and delicious drink.
10.20
May the poor and destitute find wealth,
The haggard and the careworn, joy.
May confidence relieve those in despair
And bring them steadfastness and every excellence.
10.21
May every being ailing with disease
Be Freed at once from every malady.
May all the sickness that afflicts the living
Be instantly and permanently healed.
10.22
May those who go in dread have no more fear.
May captives be unchained and now set free.
And may the weak receive their strength.
May living beings help each other in kindness.
10.26
May children and the old, the weak, protectorless,
Bewildered in the wild and pathless wastes,
And those whose minds are dulled, and all who are insane,
Have pure celestial beings as their guardians.
10.27 May all attain the human state,
And be possessed of wisdom, faith, and love.
With perfect livelihood and sustenance,
May they have minfulness throughout teir lives.
10.28
May everyone have unrestricted wealth,
Just like the treasury of space,
Enjoying it according to their wish,
Without a trace of harm or enmity.
10.29
May beings destitute of splendor,
Become magnificent and bright.
And those work down by toil and drudgery
Acquire great beauty and perfection.
10.31
And thus by all the merit I have gained,
May every being, leaving none aside,
Abandon all their evil ways
Embracing goodness now and ever more.
July 10, 2024
Pure scripture.
“The Dharma they have mastered refers, not only to written and oral teachings, but also to the truth of direct experience, too straightforward, unedited life as it is. Whatever happens to us – good bad happy or sad – can free us from self absorption. If we make use of these ever present opportunities and everything we encounter is Dharma.”
“We can’t overestimate the power of commitment. Until we resolve unequivocally to undertake a task and see it through to the end, there is always hesitation and isolation.”
“When life feels so pleasurable, so luxurious and cozy, there’s not enough pain to turn us away fromworldly seductions. Lulled into complacency, we become indifferent to the suffering of our fellow beings. The Buddha assures us that our human birth is ideal, with just the right balance of pleasure and pain. The point is not to squander this good fortune.”
“… Clear instruction on how to cool off when anger is already aroused. When we look closely at our minds attachments, we can see they don’t hold together without our storylines. When it comes to the fiery flames of hate, we could cool them down by acknowledging obsessive thoughts and letting them go. we can label the thoughts ‘thinking’. This technique gently and objectively dissolves the stream of habitual chatter, and it’s underlying beliefs. Like removing the tinder from the burning building, it defeats the powerful surge of energy before we become inflamed.”
“He said that he knew there was no way to end homelessness, yet he would devote his life to trying. This is the aspiration of a bodhisattva. Don’t worry about results; just open your heart in an inconceivably big way, in that limitless way that benefits everyone you encounter. Don’t worry whether or not it’s doable. The intention is vast: May everyone’s physical pain, be relieved, and, even more to the point, May everyone attain enlightenment.”
!!! “Much of our realization comes from the honest recognition of our foibles. The inability to measure up to our own standards is decidedly humbling. It allows us to empathize with other people’s difficulties and mistakes. In short, the best friend is one who realizes our sameness and is skilled in helping us help [see] ourselves.” !!!
“May this help wake me up”
“Making offerings frees us from the pain of self-absorption. Are we willing to offer something as precious as our Time, Energy, and anything else we’re hanging onto? Are we willing to loosen up habits of selfishness, fear, and small mindedness? If so, we can benefit greatly from this practice.”
“Third, prostrations serve as a way to overcome resistance and surrender our deeply, entrenched, neuroses and habits. Each time we bow, we offer ourselves: our confusion, our inability to love, our hardness and selfish ways. It’s like opening our hands and saying: ‘With this gesture I willingly acknowledge how stuck I am. I surrender it all to the vast and compassionate heart bodhichitta. Until attaining the essence of enlightenment, I take refuge in awakened mind.”
“Whenever we do something we wish we hadn’t, we give it our full, compassionate attention. Rather than hiding our mistakes from ourselves and others, we forthrightly declare them. By acknowledging them to ourselves, we avoid self-deception. In certain circumstances, we may also declare them to someone else, as witness to our wise intention. To see clearly how we strengthen or weaken crippling patterns, we have to bring them to light … (p 36 rest of this quote so good)
“You may ask, ‘isn’t it enough to acknowledge my regrets to myself?’ It does help a lot, but not enough to completely dissolve self-deception. When we express our regrets to the Buddha or another human being, we can’t kid ourselves. As an act of self compassion and self-respect, we use a witness to expose ourselves to ourselves.”
(The Prophet Joseph promised that when selfishness is annihilated, we “may comprehend all things, present, past, and future.” (The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, comp. Dean C. Jessee, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1984, p. 485.)
“When we do something we wish we hadn’t, we don’t remain oblivious; we acknowledge it with what Dzigar … calls positive sadness. Instead of condemning ourselves, we can connect with the openhearted tenderness of regret. Thus the habits of self deception and guilt. Have a chance to wither away. This is the essential point of the practice of confession.”
“ another method is the life of you. At least once a year, I imagine that I am about to die. Looking back as truthfully, as I can at my entire life, I give full attention to the things I wish hadn’t occurred. Recognizing these mistakes honestly, but without self recrimination, I tried to rejoice in the Nate wisdom that allows me to see so bravely, and I feel compassion for how I was so frequently messed up. Then I can go forward. The future is wide open, and what I do with it is up to me.”
His Holiness to Pema’s children: “You are going to die; and when you do, you will take nothing with you but your state of mind.”
“In Bodihichitta training, we learn to use whatever pain or fear we experience to open our hearts to other people’s distress. In this way, our personal misery doesn’t close us down; it becomes a steppingstone toward a bigger perspective.”
“… death can be a strong support for waking up. Everything is naturally falling apart: our body is falling apart, our way of perceiving reality is falling apart, everything we’ve clung to is dissolving. The letting go that we cultivated during our life is happening naturally; this is what we’ve wanted, and now it’s occurring on its own.”
“When you begin the practice of rejoicing in others’, good fortune, you can expect to encounter your soft spot – as well as your competitiveness and envy … Who would’ve thought that the practice of rejoicing would be a setup for our neurosis? … Because our intention is to wake up so we can help others do the same, we rejoice as much in seeing where we’re stuck as we rejoice in our loving-kindness.”
“Anything that awakens our compassion or wisdom serves as a bodhisattva.”
“ This is Shantideva’s instruction for developing a refreshing, generous mind: mind with powered to overcome cleaning and the “I want, I need” of self-absorption. It’s as close as we can come to giving up everything that’s “me” or “mine.”
“The journey to enlightenment, involves shedding, not collecting. It’s a continual process of opening and surrender, like taking off layer after layer of clothes, until we’re completely naked with nothing to hide.”
“Until he gave up everything, self-importance blocked his way.”
“But relinquishing attachment … means letting go on the most profound and difficult level; even our clutching to security and the illusion of certainty would go. Giving away merit is equivalent to shedding everything. It is the ultimate way to become shenpa—free.”
“The Dharma they have mastered refers, not only to written and oral teachings, but also to the truth of direct experience, too straightforward, unedited life as it is. Whatever happens to us – good bad happy or sad – can free us from self absorption. If we make use of these ever present opportunities and everything we encounter is Dharma.”
“We can’t overestimate the power of commitment. Until we resolve unequivocally to undertake a task and see it through to the end, there is always hesitation and isolation.”
“When life feels so pleasurable, so luxurious and cozy, there’s not enough pain to turn us away fromworldly seductions. Lulled into complacency, we become indifferent to the suffering of our fellow beings. The Buddha assures us that our human birth is ideal, with just the right balance of pleasure and pain. The point is not to squander this good fortune.”
“… Clear instruction on how to cool off when anger is already aroused. When we look closely at our minds attachments, we can see they don’t hold together without our storylines. When it comes to the fiery flames of hate, we could cool them down by acknowledging obsessive thoughts and letting them go. we can label the thoughts ‘thinking’. This technique gently and objectively dissolves the stream of habitual chatter, and it’s underlying beliefs. Like removing the tinder from the burning building, it defeats the powerful surge of energy before we become inflamed.”
“He said that he knew there was no way to end homelessness, yet he would devote his life to trying. This is the aspiration of a bodhisattva. Don’t worry about results; just open your heart in an inconceivably big way, in that limitless way that benefits everyone you encounter. Don’t worry whether or not it’s doable. The intention is vast: May everyone’s physical pain, be relieved, and, even more to the point, May everyone attain enlightenment.”
!!! “Much of our realization comes from the honest recognition of our foibles. The inability to measure up to our own standards is decidedly humbling. It allows us to empathize with other people’s difficulties and mistakes. In short, the best friend is one who realizes our sameness and is skilled in helping us help [see] ourselves.” !!!
“May this help wake me up”
“Making offerings frees us from the pain of self-absorption. Are we willing to offer something as precious as our Time, Energy, and anything else we’re hanging onto? Are we willing to loosen up habits of selfishness, fear, and small mindedness? If so, we can benefit greatly from this practice.”
“Third, prostrations serve as a way to overcome resistance and surrender our deeply, entrenched, neuroses and habits. Each time we bow, we offer ourselves: our confusion, our inability to love, our hardness and selfish ways. It’s like opening our hands and saying: ‘With this gesture I willingly acknowledge how stuck I am. I surrender it all to the vast and compassionate heart bodhichitta. Until attaining the essence of enlightenment, I take refuge in awakened mind.”
“Whenever we do something we wish we hadn’t, we give it our full, compassionate attention. Rather than hiding our mistakes from ourselves and others, we forthrightly declare them. By acknowledging them to ourselves, we avoid self-deception. In certain circumstances, we may also declare them to someone else, as witness to our wise intention. To see clearly how we strengthen or weaken crippling patterns, we have to bring them to light … (p 36 rest of this quote so good)
“You may ask, ‘isn’t it enough to acknowledge my regrets to myself?’ It does help a lot, but not enough to completely dissolve self-deception. When we express our regrets to the Buddha or another human being, we can’t kid ourselves. As an act of self compassion and self-respect, we use a witness to expose ourselves to ourselves.”
(The Prophet Joseph promised that when selfishness is annihilated, we “may comprehend all things, present, past, and future.” (The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, comp. Dean C. Jessee, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1984, p. 485.)
“When we do something we wish we hadn’t, we don’t remain oblivious; we acknowledge it with what Dzigar … calls positive sadness. Instead of condemning ourselves, we can connect with the openhearted tenderness of regret. Thus the habits of self deception and guilt. Have a chance to wither away. This is the essential point of the practice of confession.”
“ another method is the life of you. At least once a year, I imagine that I am about to die. Looking back as truthfully, as I can at my entire life, I give full attention to the things I wish hadn’t occurred. Recognizing these mistakes honestly, but without self recrimination, I tried to rejoice in the Nate wisdom that allows me to see so bravely, and I feel compassion for how I was so frequently messed up. Then I can go forward. The future is wide open, and what I do with it is up to me.”
His Holiness to Pema’s children: “You are going to die; and when you do, you will take nothing with you but your state of mind.”
“In Bodihichitta training, we learn to use whatever pain or fear we experience to open our hearts to other people’s distress. In this way, our personal misery doesn’t close us down; it becomes a steppingstone toward a bigger perspective.”
“… death can be a strong support for waking up. Everything is naturally falling apart: our body is falling apart, our way of perceiving reality is falling apart, everything we’ve clung to is dissolving. The letting go that we cultivated during our life is happening naturally; this is what we’ve wanted, and now it’s occurring on its own.”
“When you begin the practice of rejoicing in others’, good fortune, you can expect to encounter your soft spot – as well as your competitiveness and envy … Who would’ve thought that the practice of rejoicing would be a setup for our neurosis? … Because our intention is to wake up so we can help others do the same, we rejoice as much in seeing where we’re stuck as we rejoice in our loving-kindness.”
“Anything that awakens our compassion or wisdom serves as a bodhisattva.”
“ This is Shantideva’s instruction for developing a refreshing, generous mind: mind with powered to overcome cleaning and the “I want, I need” of self-absorption. It’s as close as we can come to giving up everything that’s “me” or “mine.”
“The journey to enlightenment, involves shedding, not collecting. It’s a continual process of opening and surrender, like taking off layer after layer of clothes, until we’re completely naked with nothing to hide.”
“Until he gave up everything, self-importance blocked his way.”
“But relinquishing attachment … means letting go on the most profound and difficult level; even our clutching to security and the illusion of certainty would go. Giving away merit is equivalent to shedding everything. It is the ultimate way to become shenpa—free.”
February 14, 2019
This isn't a book I feel I'll ever 'finish', per se. It's a book that Buddhists and aspiring Bodhisattvas can return to time and time again for wisdom and inspiration. Ani Pema Chodron dissects Shantideva's cherished "The Way of the Bodhisattva". Shantideva's classic is written in verse, as a personal meditation, outlining the path of the Bodhisattvas—those who renounce the peace of individual enlightenment and vow to work for the liberation of all beings and to attain buddhahood for their sake. (I paraphrased that description from the book jacket of the original edition).
Pema Chodron takes each verse and breaks it down for us modern-day readers and practitioners. She puts it in less poetic, more relatable language so we have a more accessible relationship with the text, as well as the path itself.
There's a lot packed into the book, and thus, I foresee it being a book I reference frequently, perhaps reading sections of it again the way one might read the Bible over a year's time, sort of a devotional. But I wanted to make it through the book once before I dug into it on the level I need to to truly appreciate it. I look forward to a long relationship with these teachings.
Pema Chodron takes each verse and breaks it down for us modern-day readers and practitioners. She puts it in less poetic, more relatable language so we have a more accessible relationship with the text, as well as the path itself.
There's a lot packed into the book, and thus, I foresee it being a book I reference frequently, perhaps reading sections of it again the way one might read the Bible over a year's time, sort of a devotional. But I wanted to make it through the book once before I dug into it on the level I need to to truly appreciate it. I look forward to a long relationship with these teachings.
April 15, 2021
This was my first book that I purchased for serious reading on Buddhism. Several months later and embedded more deeply into Tibetan Buddhism practices, I look back and grateful that this was the first one.
Pema Chodron's writing touches the essence of loving-kindness and the practices of Buddhism that is accessible to most anyone (in America), regardless of age or religion. Pema Chodron's gentle narrative and commentary was easy to follow, taking the writing style of a conversation rather than a sermon or dictation like many Dharma books I've read do.
I found that this book was deep and something that required several sitting periods to go through. Oftentimes, I'll simply read short passages from the book. Every time I read the same passage, new understandings of its essence arise. There are many practical and easy suggestions for cultivating the bodhi heart that do not require large stints of time. Many books that teach meditation techniques place heavy emphasis on the time needed, yet, for this, it seemed like Pema Chodron was leaving the depth of the Buddhist practices to the reader.
Pema Chodron's writing touches the essence of loving-kindness and the practices of Buddhism that is accessible to most anyone (in America), regardless of age or religion. Pema Chodron's gentle narrative and commentary was easy to follow, taking the writing style of a conversation rather than a sermon or dictation like many Dharma books I've read do.
I found that this book was deep and something that required several sitting periods to go through. Oftentimes, I'll simply read short passages from the book. Every time I read the same passage, new understandings of its essence arise. There are many practical and easy suggestions for cultivating the bodhi heart that do not require large stints of time. Many books that teach meditation techniques place heavy emphasis on the time needed, yet, for this, it seemed like Pema Chodron was leaving the depth of the Buddhist practices to the reader.
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