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Summary: Time to Wake Up
Review: This book requires you to be realistic, wake up and come out of your fish bowl. Instead of putting the fires out all around you, you sit in the fire and become comfortable with the fact that all will never be perfect, that there will always be discomfort and/or pain and we can feel it but we don't have to suffer because of it. We can actually use it as a catalyst for growth. She writes an easy read and she puts humor into it. Life is short - take a minute.
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Summary: Rich and deep and true...so refreshing!
Review: I agree with many of the comments by other reviewers here. This definitely is not just another "self-help" book. It certainly could be very useful to you whether or not you're not a Buddhist. There are numerous important lessons here (especially about being compassionate with yourself and others), and in general the book is filled with wisdom and deep psychological understanding. Finally, the book probably can be best appreciated if read slowly, and more than once as well. Many of the lessons contained within are not simple, and also counter to much of prevailing American/Western culture ("feel good", "quick-fix", naive sunny optimism, owning more/bigger/better stuff makes you happy, the cult of youth, mindless sex and violence, etc.). Chodron's solutions to life's problems are not easy ones, necessarily, and certainly not ones that you can purchase for any amount of money, but they are rich and deep and true, and so refreshing.
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Summary: To read over and over again
Review: I'm just finishing up this fine, short book, which packs so much into so little space. The compassion Chodron feels for herself and her readers is obvious. I'm sure I will read this book again and again, each time understanding the concepts more and putting more into practice in my everyday life.
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Summary: Short but packed with goodies
Review: This is not another "how-to" book to get you over the latest crises. It's a powerful handbook in dealing with anything life has to offer you, good or bad. Every word of it makes sense. Even if you're not a Buddhist, there are important lessons to learn about being compassionate with yourself and others. I'm almost finished with the book (it's short but I need to read it slowly to absorb all its lessons) and intend to read it again as soon as I finish.
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Summary: One in a Million
Review: I found this book at the library 4 days before my dad died and it illuminated all of my experiences before and after. Although I only read a few chapters it reasonated with truth, wisdom and honesty about the human condition. I bought the book and the tape version. I listen to it on my way to work. A wonderful resource for all times. You won't be sorry with this purchase.
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Summary: brightness
Review: My first taste of Buddhist knowledge, very welcome and has made a profound nest in my heart. I look forward to reading more of her titles.
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Summary: Inspiration to stick with meditating
Review: I first heard someone read selected chapters from When Things Fall Apart in June of '98 at a yoga retreat. Each day when I heard these readings, I felt they were written just for me, yet I realized that they were completely generic and that everyone there could, and probably did, feel the same as I. When I returned home, I began to study this book and to meditate from its instruction and inspiration. I've tried many times in the past to meditate, but could never get past about 4 to 6 weeks. When I finished When Things Fall Apart, I moved on to Pema's Start Where You Are and the Wisdom of No Escape. At the end of a year, I realized that I might really be a meditator, so I found a sangha to sit with. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to become a meditator, or who is despairing or suffering in any way. I will be eternally grateful to Pema Chodron for her articulate, down to earth explanations and instruction that gave me the motivation and courage to seek this deeply enriching spiritual life.
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Summary: If you can't swim, grab this lifebuoy!
Review: As this book has deeply touched my heart, so did the previous reviews. Yes, certainly one of the best books I ever read, too. Many of us go through changes, even chaos at certain times of our lives. Perhaps particularly after losing one or more of our loved ones -or in many other situations, too. What Pema Chödron says in this book, it not just useful. Far from being one of those silly "How-to" manuals, it is more like a friend! This is deep, rich, glowing wisdom, and it is given so warmheartedly that even when you feel the most lost, alone, it can give you support, comfort and practical advice on how to proceed. Particularly one phrase in the book struck me. Pema Chödron explains that when she first came to Gampo Abbey, she was going through a lot of emotional stuff, "It was like being boiled alive", she says. Now, just one phrase like that shows how willingly she shares her own experience; she is not somewhere "up there" telling everybody what to do. She is right there, on the spot - the hot spot! - with you. The first thing I did when I had finished the book, was to re-read it! (As I had already done with each chapter!). Recently, I have re-read it once more, only to find that there was a lot more for me to learn from it. Still looking forward to the next re-reading!
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Summary: BROUGHT THE BOOK, JOINED THE BANDWAGON
Review: At this time, there are 18 five star customer reviews here. But the important thing is that each of these conveys that Pema Chodron has touched the reader emotionally. She pushes through concepts like "austerity" and comes out to joyful living and compassion for all beings. Buddhist concepts underlie everything she writes. But theory is given only in relation to practice. All the writing is aimed right at the reader's daily life. Much of the World needs to be shown the difference between "tough" and "hard". Pema Chodron has done this admirably. On an inside page it is stated "the author's profits are to be donated to the Gampo Abbey". Gampo Abbey and all of us are benefiting from the work of Pema Chodron.
Rating:
Summary: When Things Fall Apart
Review: Browsing a bookstore is a form of self-help medicine for myself. Whenever I need something I go to the bookstore and browse until I find the book that will take me the next mile in my growth process. The title of this book caught my eye and needless to say the contents helped me tremendously. It's a rare book that allows complete validation to the soul who needs it. I found it heartwarming and helpful. I'll loan it to any of my friends (or stranger) who needs a helping hand during their time of need. I recommend having an open you heart while reading it.
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