Transforming the Heart: The Buddhist Way to Joy and Courage

Rating:
Summary: Well worth the stretch
Review: As someone who has appreciated Ven. Thubten Chodron's many introductory books on Buddhism, I was very excited to hear about this book when first came out. Upon my first reading, I thought that perhaps I had bitten off more than I could chew!

However, as I've continued in my Buddhist studies and continued to study the Lamrim, this book has become a source of joy and clarity. It is a commentary on a particular text, "The Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas"; but in a more general way, it is a wonderful commentary on the gradual path to enlightenment in the Tibetan tradition. I have been pleasantly surprised at how accessible the teachings in this book are to a Western student of the dharma, with examples given that most of us can readily relate to our daily lives.

Ven. Chodron's introductory section on the Buddhist World View is a very readable and useful encapsulation of basic dharma teachings for new students, and a wonderfully concise review for those who have studied the dharma for some time. It puts the remainder of the book into perspective, making reading the book all the more meaningful and relevant.

The book continues to follow progressively along the path: appreciating our precious and advantageous life circumstances; studying and listening to teachings; creating a conducive environment for study and meditation; working with impermanence; relating to teachers; understanding the concept of "refuge," karma (cause and effect) and the Four Noble Truths; generating bodhicitta (the altruistic mind of great compassion); transforming difficulties so that they enhance our practice rather than discouraging practice.

The book ends with a detailed section on wisdom and emptiness and a final chapter on bringing our practice into our daily lives through the practices of the six far-reaching attitudes (or six perfections, "paramita") of generosity, patience, ethics, joyous effort, concentration and wisdom.

Dear friends, I highly recommend this book. I also highly recommend a visit to Ven. Chodron's web site (www.thubtenchodron.com).