In this book Tibetan Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön offers short, stand-alone readings designed to help us cultivate compassion and awareness amid the challenges of daily living. More than a collection of thoughts for the day, Comfortable with Uncertainty offers a progressive program of spiritual study. Inspired by the Buddhist tradition of the 108-day retreat, the book leads the reader through essential concepts, themes, and practices on the Buddhist path. Comfortable with Uncertainty does not assume prior knowledge of Buddhist thought or practice, making it a perfect introduction to Chödrön's teaching. It features the most essential and stirring passages from Chödrön's previous books, exploring topics such as lovingkindness, meditation, mindfulness, "nowness," letting go, and working with fear and other painful emotions. Through the course of this book, readers will learn practical methods for heightening awareness and overcoming habitual patterns that block compassion. Comfortable with Uncertainty, like a set of prayer beads, strings together 108 gems that will guide and inspire us.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Comfortable with Uncertainty reads like a perfect companion guide to the traditional 108-day Buddhist retreat. In a day-by-day format, author Pema Chödrön dives into the soothing wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism, reminding us that groundlessness is the only ground we have to stand on. Each of her 108 teachings are brief (about two pages), and all of them are excerpted from longer discussions in Chödrön's previous bestselling books (The Places That Scare You and When Things Fall Apart). Nonetheless, newcomers as well as seasoned fans of Chödrön's writing will glean much from this training program for becoming a "warrior bodhisattva"--a term which, simply put, means one who aspires to act from an awakened heart.
Gradually, Chödrön guides readers beyond the tunnel vision of the self, expanding outward to include compassion for all of humanity. In the 12th teaching, "The Root of Suffering," Chödrön writes: "What keeps us unhappy and stuck in a limited view of reality is our tendency to seek pleasure and avoid pain, to seek security and avoid groundlessness, to seek comfort and avoid discomfort." In the 77th teaching, "Cool Loneliness," she suggests that the next time readers wake up in the morning feeling the "heartache of alienation" they try to "relax and touch the limitless space of the human heart." By the 101st teaching, Chödrön speaks to "taking refuge in the Sangha," meaning becoming warriors who are not only committed to taking off their own armors of self-pity, but are also committed to gently helping others do the same. Student warriors will also appreciate the glossary, bibliography, and resource guide in the back. --Gail Hudson
Review
"Marked by an unpretentious wisdom."— Boston Globe "Compiles short, inspirational readings for daily contemplation or sustained study."— Publishers Weekly
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
81 of 83 people found the following review helpful
By Brett Shand
Format:Paperback
You either can read this book from beginning to end using it as a meditation guide for the warrior meditator, or you can drop into it and see what you get; also good.
It is unfailingly wise and compassionate in it's approach which is that meditation is not the path up the mountain but the path down into yourself and that accepting yourself as you are is what is important and difficult. This requires courage. The current ideas of changing yourself or self-improvement are yet another subtle attack on yourself.
The ironic miracle, of course, is that abandoning goals of self-improvement and accepting yourself leads to change, and you become someone you like better whether you like it or not.
Underneath all our fear of ourselves, way down deep, we find find our "wounded, softened hearts" and we discover that we, all of us, are compassionate loving beings. Now isn't that a hope for the world?
If you think this might be a good idea, then this book is a wonderful guide. It is not an answer, but it is a gentle helping hand along The Way.
It is unfailingly wise and compassionate in it's approach which is that meditation is not the path up the mountain but the path down into yourself and that accepting yourself as you are is what is important and difficult. This requires courage. The current ideas of changing yourself or self-improvement are yet another subtle attack on yourself.
The ironic miracle, of course, is that abandoning goals of self-improvement and accepting yourself leads to change, and you become someone you like better whether you like it or not.
Underneath all our fear of ourselves, way down deep, we find find our "wounded, softened hearts" and we discover that we, all of us, are compassionate loving beings. Now isn't that a hope for the world?
If you think this might be a good idea, then this book is a wonderful guide. It is not an answer, but it is a gentle helping hand along The Way.
75 of 79 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This small book contains 108 short chapters taken from Pema's four main/prior books (The Wisdom of No Escape, Start Where You Are, The Places that Scare You, When Things Fall Apart). It includes her signature stories such as pp. 40-2: the 4 Maras-"turning arrows into flowers", pp. 61-2: the teaching of heaven & hell to a samurai, p. 103: the empty boat, p. 111: lions and the strawberry, and p. 115: the Demon of Now in the cave. It also some fine quotes such as: p. 25: "Resisting Life causes suffering," p. 62: "Only with equanimity can we see that everything that comes into our circle [of sacred space] has come to teach us what we need to know," and p. 91: "We cannot be in the present moment and run our story lines at the same time." Perhaps best of all, it addresses not only on-the-spot Tonglen but also on-the-spot compassion and equanimity. So, reading it may provide you with on-the-spot joy!
41 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I write this review because I think the other reviews herein did not do justice to this exquiste gem of Buddhist teaching. Ms Chodorn is eloquent and articulate in her delivery of helpful insights into the human condition and gentle and simple in her understanding of what may restore balance. The book can be read piecemeal or from beginning to end. The glossary offers edification on Buddhist Sanskrit meanings, which I found helpful, since I am a beginner to Buddhism and not a student of Sanskrit. This book offers a path of healing and wholeness. To see it without this meaning is to miss the point. I have recommended it to many people, beginners and scholars of Buddhism alike. Without exception the book was well received. Buy the book -- forget the audiobook. This is one book you will want to hold and leaf through the pages. I would give it much more than a five star rating were it possible.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Concise, useful teachings
This is the only Pema book I own these days. It's the kind of book I hold highest in my esteem: concise, practical, insightful. Read more
Published 19 days ago by Timothy Riordan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comfortable with Uncertainty
This book really gave me pause and an incentive to slow down and smell the roses. A very good book for people who are "too busy".
Published 3 months ago by Kathleen Cianciola
5.0 out of 5 stars
what did we do before Pema Chodron?
Buddhist thought delivered in an understandable palatable format. spirituality as it should be - and is! Read more
Published 4 months ago by Cheryl L. Devecka
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pema is Incredible!
As always, Pema delievrs in this easy-to-use daily teachings book. If you need something simple & brief, this is a wonderful book.
Published 4 months ago by Dmc
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pema condensed
short excerpts from her other books and teaching from masters.
effective, meaningful, easily applied, good to have on hand when you need a little adjustment
effective, meaningful, easily applied, good to have on hand when you need a little adjustment
Published 4 months ago by Frank De Mascio
5.0 out of 5 stars
love Pema Chodron
The condition of the product was as advertised and the book, itself, is full of Pema Chodron's wisdom and direction
Published 5 months ago by pam
5.0 out of 5 stars
5 Stars for Comfortable with Uncertainty
Comfortable with Uncertainty is changing my life in very subtle ways. It's simple format and daily 'meditations' have greatly helped me embrace the ever changing world on a very... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Round2
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring read
Easy to ready and follow makes it an inspiring read. It is full or valuable information to help one in day to day life.
Published 7 months ago by amyjules
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!
I believe that the main aspect of this book is that you can read it daily for a few minutes and feel much better. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Anonymous 1238
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you are feeling at a loss
My mother was critically ill, my husband unemployed, and I was sick from stress. I am not a very religious person in the conventional sense but this book is not conventional... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Sukie B. Nemeth
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 11
books:
See all 11 books this book cites
- The Words of My Perfect Teacher, Revised Edition (Sacred Literature Series) by Patrul Rinpoche in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying: The Spiritual Classic & International Bestseller by Sogyal Rinpoche in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- The Myth of Freedom (Shambhala Classics) by CHOGYAM TRUNGPA in Back Matter
- Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism by Chogyam Trungpa in Back Matter
- The Great Path of Awakening: A Commentary on the Mahayana Teaching of the Seven Points of Mind Training by Jamgon Kongtrul in Back Matter
See all 11 books this book cites
