From Fear to Fearlessness: Teachings on the Four Great Catalysts of Awakening

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Summary: This is a wonderful audio lesson
Review: P. Chodron is a gentle, wise teacher with a profound sense of humor. I listen to these cd's over and over w/o ever tiring of them. I have downloaded them into my iPod so they are mobile, I like them that much! I get anxiety at times and these tapes tone down that anxious, overwhelmed feeling. Not to mention the fact that they bring a smile to my face.


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Summary: American Buddhist Nun with practical advice
Review: This 2-cassette set reflects the author's usual warmth, humor, kindliness, and down-to-earth approach to improving one's life through Buddhist means. This set focuses on the 4 Immeasurables or limitless qualities: Maitri (loving-kindness), compassion, joy, and equanimity. She points out where her master, Trungpa Rinpoche digressed from the literal meanings of these four in practice as well as certain modifications suggested by the great 14th century master, Longchenpa (Longchen Rabjam). For example, the latter suggested meditating upon equanimity to stabilize prior to sending out loving kindness etc. Embedded in the technique is to send these 4 out consecutively, but within each "sending" to first apply it to someone you care about, then a neutral, then someone you mildly dislike (building up to stronger feelings), and finally to everyone. For example, compassion is the wish that everyone be free of suffering and the cause of suffering. Trungpa Rinpoche's modifications include: joy being the appreciation of peoples' basic goodness. Ani Chödrön's (she is a Buddhist nun, thus the title Ani) wonderful turns of phrase include: "We look for strength in what weakens us," "We've gotten really good at making matters worse," and seeking happiness without a hangover. My only problem with this set is that it's too short! Also, since it doesn't include the practice of Tonglen and some of her other main teachings, I'd recommend the 6-tape "Awakening Compassion" or "Noble Heart" set over this one. It includes virtually all of this one plus much more-but then it's longer and costs more. If you haven't had the great uplifting joy of experiencing Pema Chödrön's tapes, this would be a fine one to start with. She's also written a number of fine books (e.g. "Places that Scare You") and has a terrific video entitled, "Good Medicine."