Customer Reviews

Bodhisattva Mind: Teachings to Cultivate Courage and Awareness in the Midst of Suffering

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Provocative, witty, wise and compassionate - Pema Chodrun is a delight to listen to. In this series she decodes Shanti Deva's classic Buddhist text from its eight century origins and numerous translations into contemporary language. As always, she is accessible and insightful, holding nothing of herself back. She has a gift of articulating the movements and proclivities of the Western mind in a way that makes us cringe with recognition and laugh at our endless self absorption.
I live in Australia so it is unlikely that i will ever see her in action. This CD series is a wonderful substitute.

Yes, I realize that saying Pema rocks may seem irreverent, but Pema Chodrin makes eastern philosophy accessible to the western mind. And, she has a sense of humor! I listen to her each night before I go to sleep and learn another gem each time. Her approach to spirituality is one of great acceptance, compassion and non-judgment - certainly things the world could stand to embrace.
Linda Kate

I listen to this (and other Pema CDs) driving to and from work. I laugh, I cry and best of all I'm learning to be a better person. I "ditto" another person when I say...Pema Rocks!

I have almost all of Pema Chodron's CDs and this set is one of the very best because it takes one through the philosphy of the Bodhisattva Mind with easy to follow continuity. I've been learning about Buddhism for several years and this retreat's teachings just make sense to me. As always, sprinkled with bits of humor and wit along with her typical wisdom. These teachings help one learn how to face the hard realities of life, and, oh yes, death.

The lectures move along at a good pace. Really, it felt like being at the retreat and that felt good.

The is my second purchase of this product. I sent it as a gift to a dear friend in South Africa.

Pema is that rare combination of brilliant thinker and clear communicator. She conveys deep, important messages in simple, understandable fashion. Her messages will help you feel happier and more at peace in general and when facing your toughest moments. You won't just listen to these CDs. You'll listen over and over and over again. They are that good.

I love all of Pema's audio recordings. She is so direct, humorous, and unpretentious, while also being a great teacher. This is no exception. She inspires us to live better lives and helps us see how to do so.

I have been reading and listening to Pema's audiobooks and I always get something new and inspiring from her talks.

This is available from SoundsTrue at a sale price of around twenty dollars. Very surprising to see the full price still attached to this Amazon offering.

A very insightful course. It could have contained more exercises for practical application, but on the whole it provides a solid learning experience.

Set of 7 CDs avg=69:36 on 70 tracks, avg=6:58/track that do not match days or sessions of a weekend (college credit) retreat @ Naropa U.="Pema's Book Club" commentary on Shantideva's The Way of the Bodhisattva. A fine companion to her No Time to Lose: A Timely Guide to the Way of the Bodhisattva book & Don't Bite the Hook: Finding Freedom from Anger, Resentment, and Other Destructive Emotions 3 CD set--with differing emphasis--to be well enjoyed by fans C7T7--"Mainlining Pema" for a fresh, Western view of a classic medieval text using personal experiences (esp. of Chogyam Trungpa) & humor.

Main topics: mindfulness/alertness, shamatha, C1T8--natural state of being fully present=bringing the mind back home, 6 paramitas for us Bodhisattvas in training, value of intention, C4T1--finding your own balance- not too tight/loose, remain like log vs. self-righteousness, C5T5--3 disciplines=don't' harm, gather virtue, & help others, pitfalls of gathering virtues=smugness/self-satisfaction, C5T8--attachment to possessions, body, customs/virtues, C6T1--patience like heron fishing, start easy then stretch, C6T5--3 bite (eating) practice=offer 1st to teachers--2nd to those kind to you--3rd to all who suffer.

Pema quotes her teacher Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche: C2T1--"How do I do my best when I feel my worst, C3T3--we throw kerosene on the fire with the hope of putting it out, C5T7--live life as an experiment, C7T5--the job of spiritual teacher is to insult your ego, & C4T5 her illicit doodling.

She adapts Buddhism to the modern West: C2: "teachings must be relevant to the context of the world today, we need self-compassion--to de-escalate the "bad me" syndrome & establish a good relationship with yourself, C4T5--multitasking & habits--catch yourself getting hooked & do something different, C5T10--self-loathing is self-absorption too, C6T3--taking the teachings and making them real in your life...expect to relapse...lower your standards, reframe [change context/meaning], C7T1--benefit others @ level you can=iterative process, C7T2--avoid idiot compassion=stop people from harming themselves, C7T3--cultural norms of India don't necessarily apply here, C7T4--join parents activities & create rapport, teach people at their own level, C7T5--The Vinaya can adapt to the times, & C7T6--use what helps you."

She makes humorous observations: C1T6--"Mind Training was a Buddhist breakthrough, C1T7--hell= worst case scenario, C1T7--eating poisonous seeds & wondering why you keep getting sick, C2T1--get seriously lighthearted, C3T3--we practice distractedness vs. mindfulness, C4T5--Little Joe Gomez & people with chalk boards story, & C6T11--3 Bodhisattva approaches =king, ferryman, & shepherd,

And provides profoundity: C3T5--"life is paradoxical so teachings can seem to contradict each other, the resonance principle--the benefit from being with teachers, C4T4--life of emotions is shattered by mindfulness, C4T8--rerun a story to relive & get in touch with the feeling/memory in retrospect, C6T7--mindfulness is the opposite of ignorance, & C7T1--Buddha killing pirate to save him from karma story.