Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Over the years, Pema Chödrön's books have offered readers an exciting new way of living: developing fearlessness, generosity, and compassion in all aspects of their lives. In No Time to Lose Pema invites readers to venture further along the path of the "bodhisattva warrior," explaining in depth how we can awaken the softness of our hearts and develop true confidence amid the challenges of daily living.
Pema reveals the traditional Buddhist teachings that guide her own life: those of The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicharyavatara), a text written by the eighth-century sage Shantideva. This treasured Buddhist work is remarkably relevant for our times, describing the steps we can take to cultivate courage, caring, and joy—the keys to healing ourselves and our troubled world. Pema offers us a highly practical and engaging commentary on this essential text, explaining how its profound teachings can be applied to our daily lives.
“In this ambitious and profound work, Chödrön hits high stride, creating a wide-ranging, accessible, and soul-stirring commentary on the classic Buddhist text The Way of the Bodhisattva.”—Spirituality & Health
Let's say you're out walking and you notice the beauty of the sky. Right on the spot you could rejoice in that very thing. You could rejoice in your good fortune to be in such a beautiful place. Or you might notice, "Well, what do you know? I just did something kind." And you rejoice in that. Maybe you spontaneously said something encouraging, or helped someone with their heavy bags. That instinct to reach out was right there within you. Whatever form it takes, you can rejoice in that virtue, in that tenderness within you.
When others are happy and doing well you can rejoice in their good fortune as well. There are continual opportunities to rejoice in your own good fortune and the good fortune of others. Someone may simply get a letter or a compliment that makes them happy. Or, a person who's been very depressed may have some personal insight that lifts their spirits. Right on the spot we can rejoice in their good fortune.
Generally this is not so easy to do. It's not the natural inclination or habit of mind. Instead, what we notice is our feeling of not-so-glad-about-our-good-fortune—or anyone else's. When you're having a really bad day, seeing someone else having a good day usually does not give you joy. Very likely you thoroughly resent it. Or when someone else gets the job promotion you wanted, your first instinct may not be to rejoice in their good fortune.
If you make it your practice to rejoice for even one week, it will probably show you some envy and resentment you didn't even know you had. Who would have thought that the practice of rejoicing would be a setup for seeing our neurosis? The usual response to this is to feel we've blown it. For the aspiring bodhisattva, this is not the case. When your intention is to wake up so that you can help others to do the same, then you can rejoice in your capacity to see where you're stuck as much as you rejoice in your capacity for loving kindness.
There is no other way for true compassion to emerge. No other way to water the seed of bodhichitta. This is how you know what other people are up against. Just like you, they aspire to open, only to see themselves close. Just like you, they have the capacity to feel joy and, out of ignorance, they block that joy. The difference is that we can get smart and begin to see when we get hooked and do something different. Instead of going on automatic pilot, and following the same old momentum, we could let the storyline go and stay present with an open heart. And we could rejoice that we are even slightly interested in choosing such a fresh alternative.
Michelle-Wolff_11
Posted November 30, 2012
As always Pema Chodron makes ancient texts relevant and accessible. This book is so good as all of her works are. Her writings have changed my life and world views more than once. Highly recommend!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 31, 2012
Pema Chodren's writing about the path of the Bodhisattva from Shantideva's work supports my need of better understanding of the practice of meditation. She does leave out a Chapter on Wisdom, yet states that would be a book of it's own. I love Peam's writing as she simplifies what can appear to be complicated, yet in her wording, I see the path. Great book for beginner's to meditation.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.burninbob
Posted August 10, 2009
Chodron acknowledges her own shortcomings and yet she delivers an excellent overview of this ancient text. An occidental spin on an translation of a deep oriental text; not an easy thing to do.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.AHunterTX
Posted April 1, 2009
I Also Recommend:
This book takes "The Way of The Bodhisattva" and makes it applicable to our lives today. It helped me to realize that I really needed to be serious about my practice and also why it was important to practice. The teaching explanations by Pema Chodron are given with a sense of humor but yet serious at the same. This book will take your breath away with its beauty. I checked it out of the library but had to own a copy for myself because it was so good!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 10, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted April 7, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted July 1, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted May 30, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted February 5, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted April 27, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted March 13, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
Over the years, Pema Chödrön's books have offered readers an exciting new way of living: developing fearlessness, generosity, and compassion in all aspects of their lives. In No Time to Lose Pema invites readers to venture further along the path of the "bodhisattva warrior," explaining in depth how we can awaken the softness of our hearts and develop true confidence amid the challenges of daily living.
Pema reveals the traditional Buddhist teachings that guide her own life: ...