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A review by jennypgh
Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living by Pema Chödrön
4.0
So I've been a bit frustrated with myself lately. Frustrated with my lack of patience (which has come out of nowhere), frustrated with my easy annoyance with others, frustrated with my temper (also coming out of nowhere) and mostly frustrated with myself for allowing these things to happen. So I found this book and decided it was worth a read. I have zero experience with Buddhism (aside from receiving the occasional mixed drink in a Buddha-shaped cup) and had never heard of Pema Chodron before purchasing this book. I've since bought two other of her books, as I've learned so much from this one.
While she does talk of some Buddhist principle and practices, it's relatively light and easy to follow. Mostly, she discusses how to deal with difficult situations or people and how to remain calm and positive in trying or frustrating spots. She uses 59 proverbs of lojong (a Buddhist mind-training program) as the basis of dealing with these issues. Some of these include:
-Be grateful to everyone. (Even those who frustrate you can teach you a lesson.)
-Always maintain only a joyful mind.
-Don’t talk about injured limbs (Don’t take pleasure contemplating others defects.)
-Don’t ponder others (Don’t take pleasure contemplating others weaknesses.)
-Abandon any hope of fruition. (Don’t get caught up in how you will be in the future, stay in the present moment.)
-Don’t bring things to a painful point — Don’t humiliate others. (This one is my favorite. So simple, yet so often overlooked in life.)
This book will definitely get a second read.
While she does talk of some Buddhist principle and practices, it's relatively light and easy to follow. Mostly, she discusses how to deal with difficult situations or people and how to remain calm and positive in trying or frustrating spots. She uses 59 proverbs of lojong (a Buddhist mind-training program) as the basis of dealing with these issues. Some of these include:
-Be grateful to everyone. (Even those who frustrate you can teach you a lesson.)
-Always maintain only a joyful mind.
-Don’t talk about injured limbs (Don’t take pleasure contemplating others defects.)
-Don’t ponder others (Don’t take pleasure contemplating others weaknesses.)
-Abandon any hope of fruition. (Don’t get caught up in how you will be in the future, stay in the present moment.)
-Don’t bring things to a painful point — Don’t humiliate others. (This one is my favorite. So simple, yet so often overlooked in life.)
This book will definitely get a second read.