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

Pema Chödrön
4.55
553 ratings 62 reviews
A bodhisattva is one who seeks liberation from suffering not only for themselves, but for all beings. If you were a bodhisattva, how would you respond in the face of chaos and difficulty? Is it possible to find calm in the middle of a storm? On Bodhisattva Mind, Pema Chödrön explores timeless insights and practices from the teachings of an eighth-century Buddhist classic, Shantideva's The Way of the Bodhisattva, to reveal a powerful core truth that can move us all closer to the bodhisattva ideal. An Unlikely Voice on Living a Virtuous Life In the eyes of his fellow Indian scholars, Shantideva seemed lazy and uninterested in his studies and was greatly resented. So they invited the young slacker to give a prestigious talk―an honor reserved for only the most realized Buddhist masters―hoping to humiliate him and force him to leave the school. Instead, he delivered the timeless jewel known today as The Way of the Bodhisattva. Paradoxically, the key to true liberation, he taught, is in taming the mind. Like a wild elephant, the distracted mind causes emotions to escalate. But if the mind is trained to be steady and open, no matter what comes at you, you will remain solid in the immediacy of your experience. On Bodhisattva Mind, Pema Chödrön leads you through an all-new series of practices inspired by Shantideva to help you "tether" your thoughts and emotions―not as a limiting force, but as a means to restore yourself in the freedom of the present moment. Experience the Spaciousness Available in Every Moment If we approach the wildness of our mind like a horse whisperer using gentleness, compassion, and kindness, we return to our natural state of expansiveness that is always available to us, says Pema Chödrön. Encompassing a rich span of insights from this gifted teacher, Bodhisattva Mind shows us how to connect with the spacious, clear, and unbiased nature of our minds, and experience the joy of complete freedom. Master recordings for Bodhisattva Mind graciously provided by Great Path Tapes. Runtime: 8 hours, 7 minutes.
Genres: BuddhismNonfictionSpiritualitySelf HelpAudiobookPhilosophyMeditationReligionMental HealthZen
9 Pages

Community Reviews:

5 star
357 (65%)
4 star
152 (27%)
3 star
39 (7%)
2 star
3 (1%)
1 star
2 (0%)

Readers also enjoyed

Other books by Pema Chödrön

Lists with this book

Tao Te Ching
The Art of Happiness
How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life
Medical Reiki
21 books • 2 voters
Siddhartha
The Art of Happiness
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
A Buddhist Reading List
894 books • 1151 voters
Blood River: A Journey to Africa's Broken Heart
The Holocaust Industry: Reflections on the Exploitation of Jewish Suffering
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
Non-Fiction Published in Decade: 2000s
260 books • 26 voters
The Second Sex
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
The Year of Magical Thinking
Philosophy Written By Women
222 books • 17 voters