Comfortable With Uncertainty: 108 Teachings On Cultivating Fearlessness And Compassion (2003) - Plot & Excerpts
Years ago while in a period of personal turmoil, a dear friend of mine recommended a book titled ‘When Things Fall Apart” by female Buddhist monk Pema Chodron. I remember reading it and feeling connected to this woman’s words, and enjoying her writings of introductory Buddhism for the lay person. Now many years later I find myself yearning and seeking more out of life, and am interested in delving deeper into the practice and philosophy of Buddhist thought. I picked up a copy of the author’s book “Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion”. This beautiful and simplistic work is for the Buddhist initiate; Buddhism 101 so to speak. Pema details in very simple terms the philosophy of the Buddhist belief system and how it can enhance our lives if basic practices are put in place on a daily basis. She begins her writing explaining the ways of Mahayana Buddhism which relates to the “greater vehicle” path that can lead us all out of our worlds of pre-occupation and egos, into a realm of greater world fellowship with all living beings. After all, we are all connected; animals and humans alike.Her introduction for the beginner in meditation practices that can cultivate a “Bodhichitta” lifestyle; the awakening heart of loving kindness and compassion, is not only easily understood, but enticing to the reader to start their path without hindrance. Pema leads the reader into simple silent meditation practices, and teaches us to have the courage to look inward. She urges us to investigate our fragile hearts and souls so that we can grow and expand, and learn to transform the most mundane life situations into moments of clarity and beauty. Learning to cultivate new perspectives for our lives is her goal with this book. She pulls the Buddhist student into realms that can teach each one of us how to disassemble the many depths and heights of various walls we build around us that push away fear and pain, and how to naturally and gently, dissolve them through a new way of thinking, and by bringing others into our lives that are of a similar nature that can offer us value versus the many people we surround ourselves with that drain our life’s energy dry.Her philosophy in this book is for us to learn to go beyond our current awareness and self-centeredness, to take in the pain we suffer and to turn it around with love and compassion for others who suffer similarly. She teaches breathing IN pain, and exhaling OUT love, and the benefits that this practice can bring to ourselves and others. Her instruction in basic sitting meditation is helpful and allows the student to go “softly”, “ breath deeply”, to “let go”, and to begin a life of being grounded. A life of enlightenment, a life free of illusion that allows truth to penetrate, and to soon scatter the tumbleweeds of suffering we all bring upon ourselves unknowingly. We as humans tend to spin out of control with society as it is today. Pema Chodron will help you learn to sit back, inhale the pain, but to begin a path of exhaling and letting it all fly away. She teaches us to learn how to soar, to inherit the wind, to feel the rain on our backs and to weather the storms that the universe has chosen to give us. This is an excellent little gem of a book that anyone interested in seeking the wisdom of life, and for those yearning to set their souls free of turmoil and suffering, can relate to. The hurt unnecessarily brought into our lives either through others, or from the damage we tend to cause ourselves when we are blinded with chaos around us, can easily be sent packing with a little bit of love and tenderness we all need so desperately. I highly recommend the author’s works and am anxious to read the rest of her writings. Without a doubt, a five star read!
In this book Buddhist nun Pema Chodron explains basic ideas of Buddhism, such as being alive in the present moment, staying open to suffering and strong emotions instead of shutting down, and learning to relax in the middle of chaos. She emphasizes honesty, gentleness, curiosity, interconnectedness, and being compassionate towards ourselves and others. These concepts are an antidote to the stereotypical American strategies of denying and repressing feelings, focusing on the future, using technology and other methods to avoid the present moment, and trying to control as much as possible by concentrating on safety and security. This mindset is a completely different way of thinking than how I usually approach situations, but I think it's often wise. I'm glad I read this book. Tiff, thanks for encouraging me to read it and even bringing it to me when I accidentally left it at your house ;-)
What do You think about Comfortable With Uncertainty: 108 Teachings On Cultivating Fearlessness And Compassion (2003)?
calling all people who suffer from anxiety! this book has a marvelous handle on teaching the reader to gain comfort during uncertain times. it promotes the knowledge that we all need to ride the waves of life; not fight them. the author points out that as human beings, the first noble truth states that it is part of being human to feel discomfort, but their is an art to getting comfortable with the discomfort. this author reiterates her point: that we all have tigers surrounding us; this is the predicament we are always in. BUT each moment IS just what it IS. Between birth and death, we are alone. one needs to learn how to jump into open space without fear or doubt. this is a rough concept for people with anxiety to grasp.
—Lauren
This book takes a look a how we deal with our uncertain lives and times. Chodron is a Buddhist nun and she uses the teachings of Buddhism to illustrate her points throughout the book, which is actually excerpts of lectures she has given around the world. This is far from doctrinaire religion or self-help as possible, in fact she gently chides religious thinking as just another way for a person to escape from what is truly real and look for a "hand to hold" which isn't really there. The idea of waking up to the real world and truly understanding what is around you is her primary message. She also deals with self respect, compassion and the ability to develop patience and calm. I have some problems with obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety disorder (the things that explain the occasional lapses in blogging and my absence from the live music scene) and I thought if I could calm my mind, perhaps I could enjoy and reflect on the music even better and hopefully aid some of my symptoms in the process. One book cannon fix all ills, but I thought this book provided helpful and straightforward suggestions on ways to lessen the stress of everyday life without making any grand promises that cannot be fulfilled.
—Tim Niland
Pema Chodron was already one of my favorite authors and teachers before bestselling journaling coach/author Janet Conner recommended this title to my Book Group. I liked that Pema's book was 108 short entries that could be read at the start of each day. The glossary helped me understand Buddhist terminology better.Some of Chodron's passages are so well crafted that they could be epitaphs and signature quotes.Chodron is one of the great teachers of contemporary times.She is that wounded warrior who chooses to learn from her descents rather than keep them secret from herself. Chodron inspires me through the way she makes the world a better place. She cleans up her own act and then offers how she does it in neutral language.
—Stephanie
