Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If I was only allowed one book, this would be it., May 3, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: Awakening Loving-Kindness (Shambhala Pocket Classics) (Paperback)
This tiny book has had a huge impact on my life. While I have often been glibly advised to live with kindness, or by the golden rule, I have never seen such clarity on HOW to live with kindness and compassion toward others, and especially toward self. This is a book to read over and over, to highlight and to underline. A book to absorb. Themes are joy, balance, fear, trust, kindness, openness, wisdom, perspective, courage, and awareness.
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30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely little book, February 23, 2005
This review is from: Awakening Loving-Kindness (Shambhala Pocket Classics) (Paperback)
This tiny book is an abridged version of "Wisdom of No Escape," Ani Chödrön's first major work. Ani is a title for Buddhist Nuns or Bhikshunis. She is spiritual director of Gampo Abbey (named for the medieval master Gampopa). However, only 4 chapters were excluded. Its size is conducive to carrying it around with you for inspiration or to share with others (I tend to give away books after reading them). Its major points include: not preferring samsara (the usual, relative world) to nirvana (the ultimate world), integrating taught and experienced Dharma (teachings), (p. 122): playfulness-learning to play like a raven in the wind, Tonglen (sending and receiving practice), Bodhichitta (compassion), and the wheel of life. It includes some less than obvious observations such as: p. 28: "the desire to change fundamentally a form of aggression toward oneself...If you throw out your neurosis, you also throw out your wisdom." p. 60: Life is such a miracle, and a lot of the time we feel only resentment about how it's all working out for us." It also includes some of her wonderful teaching stories: pp. 65-7: samurai who asked a master to explain heaven and hell pp. 75-7: God with ½ red and ½ blue hat walking down the middle of a street. So, you can read "Wisdom of No Escape" for completeness, but consider owning a copy of "Awakening Loving Kindness" too.
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful little book, August 8, 2001
This review is from: Awakening Loving-Kindness (Shambhala Pocket Classics) (Paperback)
A good friend recommended Pema Chodron's books to me, and I am so glad I took his advice and bought this book! I keep this little book in my purse and carry it with me everywhere, and read it in those "wasted" moments waiting in a doctors office, or riding in a car, even while waiting in line at the bank on a Friday afternoon. The poor thing is wrinkled and bent from use, travel, and being read, over and over! There is much wisdom here in Pema Chodron's easy to read, easy to understand book, and it can be applied to anyone of any faith. I recommend Awakening Loving- Kindness to everyone!
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