Customer Reviews

Practicing Peace in Times of War

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4 star:		(6)
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This small book (95 small format pages of text) reflects Pema's prior works. It contains 6 of her lectures edited by Sandy Boucher (author of "Dancing in the Dharma" & "Turning the Wheel"). The chapter titles are provocative (e.g. "Compassionate Abiding & Positive Insecurity"), but the Table of Contents is numbered incorrectly (the small Roman numerals in the T of C are Arabic numbered in the book so each chapter is low by 14 pages in the T of C). As in other books, Pema provides valuable Jarvis Masters' stories from San Quentin, lojong mind training principles (see "Start Where You Are"), & Shenpa or emotional attachment (see "Getting Unstuck" CD set). Her main premises here are that individuals create culture & karma: to change them, change yourself (not unique to Pema), & that mindfulness helps us catch habitual patterns of emotional reaction (often centered on a personal history of attachment & pain avoidance) before they manifest--allowing one to act differently in the present & future. But to succeed one needs patience & fearlessness--p. 44: "learning to sit still with the edginess of the discomforting energy." This is consistent with Frank Herbert's "Dune"--"Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear:

I must not fear. Fear is the mind killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me & through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."

Per "Awakening Compassion," Pema invokes Tonglen whereby p. 81: "Your own discomfort can connect you with the aversion & pain of other people & awaken your compassion." Furthermore, with mindfulness p. 80: "We can see our interpretations & our opinions as just that," you can p. 50: "`Lower your standards & relax as it is.' That's a slogan for patience," & p. 50: "I've come to find that patience also has humor & playfulness." This reminds me of Theodore Tilton's poem:

"Once in Persia reigned a king, Who upon his signet ring
Graved a maxim true and wise, Which, if held before his eyes
Gave him counsel at a glance Fit for any change or chance;
Solemn words, and these are they: "Even this shall pass away."

It seems to me that Pema's "patient abiding" parallels Shamatha (calm abiding) like two facets of the same gem. Thus, with patience we can let the thoughts (Shamatha) or issues (patient abiding) dissolve of their own accord--observing the process vs. the content--p. 71: "Becoming intimate with pain is the key to changing at the core of our being--staying open to everything we experience." The courage to just be.

I must respectfully disagree with the reviewer who said this book is only good if you are familiar with the author's other work. I was attracted to this book by the title as it was sitting and calling out to me on the new books table at my local bookstore. I looked at the back flap and recognized the author from an interview she did with Bill Moyers on his recent "Faith and Reason" series.

This little book contains 6 essays edited from speeches the author gave. Each one contains grains of truth that can help you stop reacting in fear and anger to situations around you and instead to embrace patience and refrain from acting (or reacting), thus stopping the chain reaction of violence that seems to be swallowing our world.

Although I am not a Christian, this book seems to reflect the core teachings of Jesus when he advised his disciples to "turn the other cheek," "go the extra mile," and when he encouraged them to realize that the person who needs the most help is our neighbor, not the person we feel most alike.

This book has the potential to change your life (and mine) if we simply read the text and allow its messages to sink into our hearts.

Chodron argues for change one person at a time. To practice peace(a very deliberate verb choice) is to pause and reflect when we are hardwired to go on automatic pilot when others hurt or harm us. Don't seek resolution of potential conflict, just let it happen in the moment. Understand that those who hate harm themselves more than those hated. The book can be read as a stand alone, without any knowledge of Buddhism, although a basic grounding helps. It is simply and clearly written.

This isnt groundbreaking stuff but then there probably isnt anything left that's groundbreaking. But I was pleasently surprised by this little book. I read it in two nights, about used up a highlighter and the central premise is worth all of us trying. That is dont go for the 'hook' in life. When you find yourself angry, irritated or frustrated be quiet and look for the 'hook' what is it that has you acting that way. Not all that new an idea but presented in a simple, easy to understand way that is a message for all of us. In these times of war we need peace and it will always begin in our hearts. The 'hook' think about it next time.
Good read ...

With so much discussion and dispute about what it will take to bring peace to Iraq and other troubled places in the world today, it is hard to believe that a tiny book of barely 100 pages could even begin to offer an answer. It suggests no commitment of troops or dollars, no complicated strategy, and no national policy. The answer is not easy, and because it requires individual, personal commitment, it may not make headlines. With disarming clarity, Pema Chodron provides a plan that is so practical and so down to earth that it is probably irrefutable.

What can one person do to bring about peace? This book answers the question. I've considered carrying extra copies of the book to give to friends and strangers: maybe this review will encourage you in some way to pick up a copy for yourself.

The book concept is great. But in actuality, trying to apply this is really hard. If each one of us could wait to respond to provoking situations, and really think about how to respond in a kind and compassionate, non-provoking manner, and then teach our children, friends and family the same method, wow! what potential for peace! The book is very short and easy to read. I would like to have the author narrate how in specific situations this actually works. She does,but personally I need more help than this small book to really catch on. I will probably look into another book by this author in hopes of finding more on this subject.

There's a bumper stiker around "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention." I have been one who has seen myself as ineffectual in the circumstances of these times. Pema Chodron's work is a truly radical teaching of how we contribute to war and peace and the importance of our individual contributions to the state of the "world" we live in and the world the next generation will inherit. Even if you don't agree with the positions she offers (some of the aspects of the teaching aren't "easy"), this work is thought provoking. Even a little practice of these ideas leads to revelation about our individual importance in garnering peace or creating war. We do make a difference.

This book is a wonderful guide for opening the heart and finding peace within. A very quick, inspiring read.

I have been through this book twice now, and envision turning to it several more times -- perhaps just particular parts that I feel slip out of my brain too easily.

Her discussion of shenpa is particularly excellent. This Tibetan word, usually translated as attachment, is uncovered in detail with humorous and helpful stories. Shenpa is that experience of tightening we feel when someone says something that pushes one of our buttons or triggers our anger, or touches a soft spot, etc, and is the source of a lot of conflict.

Pema Chodron gives a few suggested practices for dealing with the experience and I have to say I find them both simple and challenging.

What would our family and community life be like if more people were introduced to these ideas and agreed to be more mindful about practicing them? I can't imagine, but would love to see it!

Love this tiny book, which fits in my purse. I can refer to it when I'm running errands. I am becoming aware of how powerful my ego is. I am "awakening" slowly and it helps me get my head around this ego issue and how detramental ego is to me, personally.