There was wisdom in this book that deeply resonated with me. It was as if certain passages spoke directly to my soul, offering insights and perspectives that I found truly profound.

However, there was also quite a bit in the book that I either didn't understand or couldn't fully get on board with. Some of the concepts seemed a bit too abstract or perhaps were presented in a way that was not entirely clear to me.

While I firmly believe that certain ideas hold universal truth, it's important to note that this book is an introductory guide to specific Buddhist practices. And not all of these practices will necessarily make sense to people of different religions or worldviews.

Nevertheless, it was certainly worth the read. As I made my way through the pages, I found myself highlighting quite a bit of text. These were the passages that I wanted to remember and reflect upon further.

And I'm sure I will revisit this book in my ongoing effort to get my head on straight. It has provided me with a wealth of food for thought and has inspired me to continue exploring the rich and complex world of Buddhist teachings.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about Buddhism or who is simply seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

This book on the mental art of dealing with fear, anxiety, and pain is truly one of the better ones I’ve had the pleasure of reading.

We all experience painful times in our lives, and Chodron offers some incredibly insightful instruction on how to become more acutely aware of these emotions, learn valuable lessons from them, and grow both spiritually and intellectually.

To be honest, some parts of the book were a bit beyond my comprehension, but the majority was easy to understand and apply in our daily lives.

I especially found the chapter titled The Love That Will Not Die to be truly captivating. In this chapter, Chodron delves into the practice of “tonglen.” Tonglen is the art of sending and receiving. It’s almost like Christian prayer, but with a more targeted approach. We breathe in the pain, both our own and that of others, and send out healing and compassion.

It’s a beautiful and embracing way to address not only our own sufferings but also those of the people around us. The entire book has a very calming effect and delves deep into the profound themes of love, grief, pain, and the creation of a more compassionate life.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I was fortunate enough to read it from my local library, and I’m sure you’ll find it just as enlightening and transformative as I did.

I was first introduced to Pema Chödrön's work during a road trip. I was traveling from Toronto to Vancouver in a recreational vehicle with five other travelers. It was an eventful journey filled with numerous lessons, but I'll save that story for another occasion.

Recently, I found myself grappling with the challenges of letting go of an attachment. I'm still in the process of working through it. So, it was truly timely when I came across this work. After weeks of placing it on hold at my local library, I finally managed to get a copy. The book is well-written, and I appreciate how Chödrön presents Buddhist principles in an accessible manner, using her own experiences as illustrations.

"Impermanence is the essence of everything," Chödrön states. Whether we choose to accept it or not, we are constantly reminded of this truth. What if, instead of running or hiding when faced with those uncomfortable reminders, we choose to confront our fears head-on? What would happen then? Would we gain a deeper understanding of what it means to truly live?

Pema Chödrön does a remarkable job of guiding the reader through difficult times in this significant book. Her words offer wisdom and inspiration, encouraging us to embrace impermanence and face our fears with courage and openness.

Buenas ideas, pero muy muy repetitivo.

It is indeed a collection of talks where certain ideas are repeated a great deal.

This can make the overall experience a bit tiresome for the listener or reader.

While the ideas themselves may be good and have value, the excessive repetition can overshadow their importance.

It would be beneficial if the presenter or author could find a way to present the ideas in a more diverse and engaging manner.

Perhaps by using different examples, illustrations, or perspectives, the same ideas could be conveyed without the need for such repetitive emphasis.

This would not only make the content more interesting but also ensure that the key points are more effectively communicated and retained by the audience.

Incredible!

So many things seemed to fall apart in 2016. The world witnessed various upheavals and challenges. It felt as if nothing was stable. And I'm quite sure that more things will likely go awry in 2017. The future seems uncertain and full of potential pitfalls.

If only we could all adopt the wisdom from this book. It offers valuable insights and perspectives that could perhaps help us navigate through these tumultuous times. It provides a glimmer of hope in the midst of chaos.

I'm glad this is my last book read in 2016. It has left a profound impact on me and has made me reflect on many aspects of life. It serves as a fitting end to a year that was filled with both joys and sorrows. I look forward to carrying the lessons from this book into the new year and hoping for a better 2017.

It's the Jewish new year now. During the Jewish month of Alul, I usually make an effort to spend time reflecting on the past year and envisioning what lies ahead.

And boy, this year has been quite a ride.

I'm well aware that this year wasn't easy for anyone. Yet, as I look back, I find myself deeply disappointed with myself in almost every aspect. Without delving too deeply into my personal life, I must admit that I failed to achieve nearly every goal I set for myself. Somehow, it feels as if I've lost my way this year. I stopped engaging in activities that I once believed defined me, not realizing that I was gradually shedding crucial parts of myself. I worked extremely hard, but I wasn't working towards the right things. I forgot that one also needs time for other important aspects of life.

Last year was近乎完美, so it's understandable that everything afterwards would be a bit more challenging. Chödrön mentions that it's easy to talk big about inner peace, but it's much harder to achieve it when you're actually in pain. This couldn't be more accurate. It was incredibly difficult to focus on the right things when so much was happening around me.

Reading this book was like a healing process. It reminded me of what's truly important in life. It's such a down-to-earth book, filled with exactly the kind of life advice I needed at this moment. Last year, I forgot how to be kind, I didn't strive to be attentive, I was too focused on proving myself to others, and I sacrificed my happiness in an attempt to fit into a space that was never meant for me. I allowed myself to overthink my own confidence issues instead of truly opening up to others. This book made me realize that there are other ways to live. It put things into perspective and made me question why I ever held certain things in such high regard. I may have lost myself, but this book gives me hope that I can find balance again.

It made me realize that I want to return to volunteering, to helping others without expecting anything in return, and to be surrounded by people who are making a positive difference in the world. I want to find opportunities to do art again, to perform in theater again, and to create things without the fear of having to make a career out of them. Chödrön talks about simply relaxing, thinking about things lightly, and I now understand that this is precisely where my problem lies. I've been doing a lot, but most of it hasn't been the right things.

There's so much joy and beauty in life, and I'm angry with myself for missing out on so much this year because I was too busy criticizing myself. I let myself believe that my grade in Micro-economics matters the slightest in this world, when in fact, true happiness comes from balance, from harmony and self-acceptance, not from getting perfect scores. I want to succeed in this degree with curiosity and enthusiasm, not with anxiety and panic. Striving for good grades is just a form of escapism, my own security blanket against a future that seems intimidating. I'm done with that.

Chödrön discusses the three truths: impermanence, egolessness, and suffering. Reading that one chapter was like taking a deep breath of fresh air. It's such a healthy way of looking at life. I haven't given myself the space to think about life at all in the last 10 months, and I'm now realizing how harmful that has been.

In conclusion, I'm truly grateful that I came across this book at this time. I'll definitely take some time to figure out how to actually incorporate these ideas into my life. If you're also seeking some spiritual guidance, this is a great book to pick up.

What I'm Taking With Me
- I feel like I read one self-help book a year, but I'm very particular about when and which ones.
- Man, three days without my phone, I'm so excited.
- I appreciated that this book didn't feel religious; it felt very practical.

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Sometimes, you're lucky enough that a book appears in your life exactly when you need it. This is one of those times. Review to come!

So many vague statements are presented in this book that are not fully discussed.

It contains twisted thinking that offers a negative solution such as "Stop caring, abandon hope, enjoy loneliness."

There is nothing comforting about these ideas. In fact, this book just makes a person who is already feeling bad feel even worse.

To participate in the suggested states of mind in this book, one would have to stop being human and suppress natural human emotions.

The twisted logic, along with the vague and abstract ideas, combines to form a useless book.

Even her voice in the audiobook sounds depressing.

If you aren't already Buddhist, this book has little value.

If you are Buddhist, this book will make you feel like you're not doing a good job in your spiritual practice.

Overall, this book fails to provide any real substance or positive inspiration.

I've definitely put into practice many of the teachings in this book.

Each and every one of them has had a profound impact on my life.

However, the one that sticks out the most is the principle of never giving up on yourself.

This simple yet powerful concept has served as my guiding light through the toughest of times.

No matter how many obstacles I've faced or how many setbacks I've endured, I've always reminded myself to keep going.

Because I know that as long as I don't give up on myself, there's always a chance for success and growth.

This teaching has not only made me a stronger person but has also given me the confidence to pursue my dreams without hesitation.

It's a lesson that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life and one that I'll continue to pass on to others.

In 2022, I reread the book and once again convinced myself that it is one of the best and most important books I have ever read.

In 2020, I gave it five sets of five stars! Fifty-five. I give this book infinity out of five stars. If you are ready to read one book a year, let it be this one.

This book has had a profound impact on me. Its content is not only rich and thought-provoking but also beautifully written. Every time I read it, I discover new details and gain new insights.

It has become a constant source of inspiration and motivation for me. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves reading and is looking for a book that will change their perspective on life.

A life changing guide for finding peace in this rushing river. It is not just an ordinary book; it is a precious gem that I have been longing for. In this fast-paced world, we are constantly swept away by the currents of daily life, feeling lost and stressed. This book, however, offers a glimmer of hope and a path to inner tranquility.

I am so grateful to have found it. It has become my trusted companion on this journey of self-discovery. The author's words are like gentle waves that wash away the clutter in my mind and bring clarity and peace. Each chapter is filled with practical advice and inspiring stories that resonate deeply within me.

Whether you are seeking relief from the chaos of modern living or simply looking to enhance your spiritual well-being, this book is a must-read. It will change your perspective and help you find the peace that you have been seeking in this rushing river of life.

I couldn't more strongly disagree with a lot of Chodron's "teachings."

For example, she claims that if one accepts that theism is a crock and embraces hopelessness as the "proper motivation for an insightful and compassionate life," one will be much calmer and happier. This is absolute poppycock.

There is an excessive focus on how all of us are afraid of death and will do anything to "ward off the sense of death, no matter what." Making such blanket statements about the fear of all humanity is extremely off-putting to me. I have never had a fear of death. I often think about it in the context of, "If I were to die today, would I be ready?" The idea of death does not strike fear into my heart at all.

She truly does her best and wholeheartedly believes in what she's sharing. The first section is largely about meditation. I think meditation is a necessary and healthy practice, but I believe that breathing patterns aren't as crucial as focusing on one's relationship with God and one's standing with Him. I also believe that hope is an essential and healthy thing.

It was indeed difficult to muster enough stamina to finish a book that teaches precepts to which my whole life has been lived in direct opposition. It's not that I'm offended by her opinions, but I'm really baffled by her all-encompassing statements about the human family and how we all supposedly think and feel. If one were to buy what she says, it would have been impossible for me to have lived any sort of content life. However, I have lived a happy life, with hope and with God, etc.

She says we "don't deserve resolution, but just an open state of mind to paradox and ambiguity." Again, I am all for resolutions, but along with resolution, I accept responsibility. I must do what I can to find resolution.

I better stop my rant here. It makes me sad - the thought that anyone could pick this up and accept it as the ultimate guide for finding happiness. She does have some good things to say about serving others and helping to release their pain. She has a lot of focus on kindness to others, which I appreciated. But there's so much more to life than just sitting and breathing properly, accepting defeat, and thereby being at ease with hopelessness.

Such a wonderful treat!

The message contained within the book is truly beautiful. It has the power to touch the heart and inspire.

As I was reading, I couldn't help but be drawn to certain concepts that really spoke to me.

I have decided that I will make an effort to apply these concepts in my daily life.

By doing so, I hope to bring more meaning and purpose to my actions.

I believe that these concepts have the potential to transform not only my own life but also the lives of those around me.

It's exciting to think about the possibilities that lie ahead.

I look forward to seeing how these ideas will manifest in my day-to-day experiences.

This book has truly been a source of inspiration and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have read it.

I will cherish the message it contains and continue to strive to apply its teachings.