good timing

I think I’ll read this book a few times a year. Short chapters with great messages about how to untangle the messy mind and live in the moment, especially when times are tough.

Was given this book by a friend and co-worker for Christmas this year. Was wonderful to read so shortly after reading The Heart of the Buddha's teaching. Absolutely recommend for anyone interested in reading further about Buddhism and practice. Calls attention to habitual responses in situations and suggests sitting with discomfort instead of trying to outrun it, consciously letting things fall apart in order to go against habits and create new energy. One practice I particularly identified with and have begun using is tonglen, "a practice of creating space, ventilating the atmosphere of our lives so that people can breathe freely and relax. Whenever we encounter suffering in any form, the tonglen instruction is to breathe it in with the wish that everyone could be free of pain. Whenever we encounter happiness in any form, the instruction is to breathe it out, send it out, with the wish that everyone could feel joy."

One chapter I have still not fully formed my thoughts about is Chapter 7: Hopelessness and Death. In it, Chodron says that we must release hope that things will change or get better in order to gain the fullness of the present moment. I agree that hope for lasting security will not provide relief because death (in many ways and forms) is part of life. However, I am unsure that totally abandoning hope is always the right thing to do in every situation. In my experience there are some situations in which hope is the only thing that helps us make it through. Still willing to explore this concept further.

I happened to be reading this book at the same time that my mother's cancer returned. This book discusses in depth facing fear, especially fear of death, sitting in uncomfortableness, and leaning into the sharp points. Pema is a student of Chogyam Trungpa and I found her voice to be much more relatable than her teacher, partly because she is American and partly because she is a woman. Do not read this book unless you are ready to face some serious shit. But if you are, this book can help to reframe the shit so that you can grow from it.

Like a big warm hug, must read for life changing wisdom. One to read again & again.

Easy read that I will come back to again. The only thing is that at times it felt *too zen* and I kept dozing off between chapters!

A lot to absorb

This was my first Pema Chodron book, surprisingly. The first part is helpful when dealing with a crisis even if her teachings may be difficult to swallow (ie. the only thing that will save you is facing chaos head-on). The second half read more like a primer on her particular brand of Buddhism, and thus was more esoteric (though I still found it interesting).