Always Maintain a Joyful Mind (Book and CD): And Other Lojong Teachings on Awakening Compassion and Fearlessness [Hardcover]

Pema Chodron (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2007

For centuries Tibetan Buddhists have relied on a collection of fifty-nine pith teachings (called lojong in Tibetan) to help them develop wisdom and compassion amid the challenges of daily living. In this book Pema Chödrön introduces these transformative teachings and offers guidance on how to make them part of our everyday lives.

The lojong teachings include: "Always maintain only a joyful mind," "Don't be swayed by external circumstances," "Don't be so predictable," and "Be grateful to everyone." Each slogan is followed by Pema Chödrön's accessible and succinct commentary on how to understand and apply it.

This book also features a forty-five-minute audio program entitled "Opening the Heart," in which Pema Chödrön offers in-depth instruction on tonglen meditation, a powerful practice that anyone can undertake to awaken compassion for oneself and others.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Pema Chödrön is an American Buddhist nun in the lineage of Chögyam Trungpa. She is resident teacher at Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia, the first Tibetan monastery in North America established for Westerners. She is the author of many books and audiobooks, including the best-selling When Things Fall Apart and Don't Bite the Hook.

From AudioFile

This recording of a seminar by Pema Chšdršn is a brief introduction to a set of Tibetan pith teachings referred to as lojong. The seminar, Opening the Heart, introduces the use of lojong as a basis for meditation and a tool for awakening compassion within oneself as one deals with daily challenges. ChšdršnÕs teaching is clear and articulate. There is a small amount of audience feedback in the background, which is a reminder that this is not a studio recording despite the clear sound quality. The CD ends with a meditation led by Chšdršn. The program is accompanied a book that contains the 59 pith slogans of lojong, each with a brief commentary. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (July 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590304608
• ISBN-13: 978-1590304600
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.6 x 6.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,014 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Pema Chödrön is an American Buddhist nun in the lineage of Chögyam Trungpa. She is resident teacher at Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia, the first Tibetan monastery in North America established for Westerners. She is also the author of many books and audiobooks, including the best-selling When Things Fall Apart and Don't Bite the Hook.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful and succinct, August 8, 2008

By 

ygdrasl (sf, ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Always Maintain a Joyful Mind (Book and CD): And Other Lojong Teachings on Awakening Compassion and Fearlessness (Hardcover)

The Lojong teachings are translated here by an English speaker with great feeling for nuance.
Her explanations are pithy and insightful.
I'm copying them onto pages of my datebook so I have them to reference.

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Where's the Beef!, June 9, 2008

By 

Tom McGee "Tom" (Springfield, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Always Maintain a Joyful Mind (Book and CD): And Other Lojong Teachings on Awakening Compassion and Fearlessness (Hardcover)

Pema Chodron's book is 119 pages. Most have one sentence on the left page and a short paragraph on the right side. This is the first book I have read by this author. I believe that she has more to say than what was presented in this short book. Because many of the sentences and explanations though short were profound, I rate this book as good and look forward to reading her book, The Wisdom of No Escape and the Path of Loving-Kindness.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Joyful Mind, April 22, 2011

By 

Poley - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Always Maintain a Joyful Mind (Book and CD): And Other Lojong Teachings on Awakening Compassion and Fearlessness (Hardcover)

Fabulous insights - I read this on a regular basis and it helps me be more conscious of my thoughts and live mindfully!