Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion

i found out about this book at my meditation session where the leader shared some quotes from this book. its full of wisdom and i think people should read it to have a new way of looking at things. we are so stuck in our own thinking most times and choose to suffer when there are other ways. the power is within you. it is within the you who are mindful, peaceful and grateful for everything that happens to you. life is a blessing. read that again.

This book changed my life. A friend sent it in the mail to me -- out of the blue-- in 2007. It is both an excellent primer on handling the uncertainties of change and for Buddhism. The subjective, transient nature of our own thoughts and perspectives are exposed with wisdom and kindness. A new world can open from reading this book where we are more at home in the present moment, more at peace with ourselves, and more at peace with the world.There are 108 very short, topical chapters. They can be read in any order. There are so many interesting topics that you may go through the Table of Contents and read at your leisure. The book to me was like a gentle invitation into a whole new world which was less predictable, deeper, richer, more open, and less confining.Pema Chodron, the author, writes in a candid, clear manner. The book does not have many technical or Buddhist terms. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for more than "been there, done that" in their lives.

This book literally changed my heart, in some way.I don’t think I can explain how much wisdom it contains and how healing it was to read every word.I found this book in the midst of, what felt, a huge uncertainty, I was feeling lost and unsure of pretty much everything in my life…and I couldn’t be more grateful. It was truly a blessing.I don’t think any book ever calmed me down so much, gave me hope & made me feel so grounded. I already recommended it to all my friends and I highly recommend it to anyone who’s struggling with feeling lost in life. It really helped me to get my happiness and contentment back. I’m so thankful.Absolute must read <3

This small book contains 108 short chapters taken from Pema's four main/prior books (The Wisdom of No Escape, Start Where You Are, The Places that Scare You, When Things Fall Apart). It includes her signature stories such as pp. 40-2: the 4 Maras-"turning arrows into flowers", pp. 61-2: the teaching of heaven & hell to a samurai, p. 103: the empty boat, p. 111: lions and the strawberry, and p. 115: the Demon of Now in the cave. It also some fine quotes such as: p. 25: "Resisting Life causes suffering," p. 62: "Only with equanimity can we see that everything that comes into our circle [of sacred space] has come to teach us what we need to know," and p. 91: "We cannot be in the present moment and run our story lines at the same time." Perhaps best of all, it addresses not only on-the-spot Tonglen but also on-the-spot compassion and equanimity. So, reading it may provide you with on-the-spot joy!

This book was given to me as a gift when I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at 39 years old. I cannot express how wonderful and comforting this book has been for me. The focus is on living in the present and being comfortable with who you are and where you are right now, while practicing Buddhist principles to achieve the ultimate goal of enlightenment, are practical to everyone in the world. I was raised catholic and am currently agnostic, I would not say this book comes across as religious in any way, and I think it can be enjoyed by anyone who might follow other religious beliefs. Ultimately, being kind to everyone, including yourself, if a message we could all learn to practice daily.

This little book deserves more than five stars. Pema Chodron is a wonderful presence in our postmodern world - she writes simply and beautifully, in a down-to-earth voice that conveys friendship and the compassion she teaches.This book is a collection of 102 brief passages from her previous books, perfect for those of us who like a daily devotional practice. The readings are chock full of wisdom and grace - Pema emphasizes self-compassion and patience with the process of mindful practice in a crazy world. I often give this book as a gift, because its so rich yet so easy to enjoy - each excerpt is only two pages, and is great for a quick daily dose of dharma.

This compendium of short pieces has been a mainstay of our local Rigpa group. Pema Chodron is an American Buddhist nun who has specialized in mystical essays in Buddhist practice. 108 Chapter titles include:"Loving Kindness and Meditation," "Not causing Harm," and "Lighten Up(and Do Something Different)." Each essay conveys the paradoxical aspects of the Buddha's teaching. This is a work that will sustain repeated reading; it's not an item to read through in a few days.The volume editor writes:"Relative bodhhichitta is the courage and compassion to investigate our tender heart, to stay with it as much as we can, and gradually to expand it, ... Learning to rest in openhearted is a lifelong process. Learning to rest in openhearted basic goodnesss is a lifelong process. These teachings offer gentle and precise techniques to help us along the way."Chodron's style is full of ready American sentences, as well as classic Tibetan Buddhist theology, and down-home humor. Relatively inexpensive , it is a joy to read.

What a gift! To have a simple time that opens oneself to ‘being’ with uncertainty, groundless-ness and all the rejected parts of ourselves. It ‘dares’ us… if that seems appropriate given the gentle and compassionate path laid before us here, to allow every state we experience as a practice. To do ‘no harm’ to oneself as we practice.Enjoy Ms Chodron’s wonderful simple and gentle style of presenting these concepts. I’m already researching my next read.