"Start Where You Are" by Pema Chodron

[shirleyjean]

I have been in a book study for the past 6 weeks with this book.  I am pretty sure it is changing my life. If any of you are Pema fans, then I need say no more.  This is a difficult book to get through, the terms and ideas are difficult, but easy to understand.  I am not a 'good' meditator, but coincidentally, I had signed up for a weekend-long meditation-for-beginners class, right in the middle of this book. I am finding the book very helpful in getting through all this drama in my life!!!!

[musiclover]

Hi,
I haven't read this one of Pema Chodren's books that I can remember, but I've read two others and they were great. It's been a few years but I remember what she said about our fear of feeling pain. I remember her writing that instead of running away from pain, to lean into it and feel it. That we know we can survive feeling emotional pain. Learning that was a lot for me.
I don't know if you are on Facebook, but she is and you can like her page. I get updates from her regularly. I think it would be something to visit the Abbey where she is in Canada and listen to her speak.
I was surprised to read that she had been married and has children. I think having had that experience probably adds to a person's wisdom

[Klarity Belle]

Thanks shirleyjean and musiclover for sharing more about the wisdom of Pema Chodren's writings, I am making a reading list for my next Amazon order and have put this on it and 'Places that scare you' reviewed here by Frankie.  I feel I am ready to read Pema now though she is someone I have been hearing about for several years now. 

I look forward to sharing some thoughts once I have read this book. 

[moglow]

Thanks for the recommendations - just got this one for my kindle!  Sorry it took me so long to add it to our library but it's been one of those weeks.

[Frankie]

I'm so delighted this forum is going strong

Pema is the kind of author I read slowly and think about, then I try to ingest her wisdom.
It is life-changing!