The Pocket Pema Chodron (Shambhala Pocket Classics)

If you enjoy Pema Chodron or are seeking practical wisdom to get through hardships, this book is a MUST! It’s invaluable!! Even if you have all her full-length books like I do, this pocket-sized copy of excerpts is wonderfully arranged, includes references so you know where the excerpt came from, and is perfect for picking up to read at any time, anywhere. Her thoughts on humanity and the journey called life are beautiful and I find myself in awe each moment I open this book. • I have two copies—one I take with me most places and another copy that stays at home incase the other gets lost or damaged. I carry the on-the-go copy for quick access incase I have downtime at work or between classes in nursing school, and it’s full of underlined passages and notes. I like to read this any time I’m not feeling my best, am stressed, feeling stuck, or need a little boost of perspective to “realign” myself and refocus my thoughts/feelings. I always gain so much from this book. • Her practical, down-to-earth, peaceful teachings and encouragement are for those from all walks of life, backgrounds, and faiths. This book is for anyone and is NOT constructed with the assumption the reader is Buddhist (just putting that out there for those who may be religious, have concerns, or haven’t read material outside of their own tradition). For example, I don’t consider myself Buddhist but love the philosophy. I find her teachings, encouragement, and wisdom to be directly applicable in so many situations and it has made a positive difference in my life. I cannot recommend this little book enough!

I’m pretty new to the writing of Pema Chodron; I’ve read one of her books before purchasing this book. I’m also new to the Shambhala pocket books. I’m a senior citizen and I noticed that these pocket books seem to come in two versions. I think the ones with the photos on the cover have smaller dimensions and the ones with drawings on the cover have larger dimensions. I purchased the larger version, with the drawing on the cover, and I find it easy to read. I like this pocket book a lot. It is a good introduction to Pema Chodron’s writing. It consists of 108 selections from her books. The selections are nearly all a page long or less. This makes them perfect for some inspiration during the day or before bedtime. I also like the way the book is organized. Each selection has a number. In the back of the book is a section called “Sources.” For each numbered selection, the book is given that the selection comes from, and also the page number(s) in the book.

I have a copy of this next to my bed, and sometimes, first thing in the morning, I will read a couple of pages. It can help reset my perspective to a more enlightened view of life… and my reactions to it’s vicissitudes. I have sent copies to a few of my friends, as it makes a great little gift.

Part outline, part entree, part reminder of all that we have read earlier from Pema, the notes we would have taken in her class (were we enlightened enough to do so). The more extended teachings -- on happiness, fear, uncertainty, on identifying the hook of habitual behaviors and choosing otherwise, on seeking out rather than avoiding the life in which you are "continually thrown out of the nest," on the difference between repressing and refraining -- remain essential, and references to those sources are provided in the back of this little pocket book. Yet this diminutive, pithy collection is like an extended slogan, or the stone pocketed on the shore during your last night at retreat, a convenient yet powerful reminder of something good and sane that can help guide you through times -- such as these -- when goodness and sanity are up against some pretty ancient thinking and habits. It's the nature of things to change, Pema tells us, "and you don't have to freak out about it." Said another way, that might take a book's worth of observation and explication. The reader should come to this collection aware that it is a sampling, a distillation. Some of the teachings are complex; some of the students are not ready; times change, receptiveness matures. Pema wouldn't tell you to "abandon hope," if it were not good for you, so be willing to learn more about that, if it seems at odds with your expectations. Start here, and then use the references to read further.

I love my copy of this book so much that I ordered this copy as a gift. The book came packaged well, in good condition and on time. I have several of her books - like them all - but like this one especially well and it is small enough to fit in my purse or take with me when I travel.

Pema Chudrun - The Pocket Pema Chudrun Pema Chцdrцn is an American Buddhist nun in the lineage of Chцgyam Trungpa. She has written a number of books aimed at Westerners, explaining the teachings of her faith. I have previously read one of her books, “When Things Fall Apart” and, on the basis of that book I decided to read her summary of teachings as found in this pocket editions. Chudrun covers a lot of ground in a little more than 100 quotes from her writings over the years. If you are interested in gaining some knowledge of Buddhist teachings for daily living, in a book you can open at random, with inspiring and wise suggestions and guidance, then this is a book worth owning. The Pocket Pema Chudrun offers counsel on: • becoming fearless • breaking free of destructive patterns • developing patience, kindness, and joy amid our everyday struggles • unlocking our natural warmth, intelligence, and goodness. A small book that may become a constant companion on your journey through life.

One of my favorite authors for her easily accessible approach to the subject. I have always loved the portability of the Shambhala Pocket Classics.

Love being able to carry Pema with me.

Short succinct chapters covering Pema's philosophy.

I was surprised when this showed up it's small, only little bigger than a box of matches. It did not contibute anything I did not already know.

Looks good, but already see a typo in the first life so probably a pirated book

Great to have around for a quick bit of inspiration.

To relax b E fore sleep.