Taming the Mind

We all wish to gain greater understanding of ourselves. This ideal follow-up to the author's extremely popular Buddhism for Beginners explains in clear and simple language the essence of Buddhist philosophy and psychology together with practical tools for immediate implementation in our daily lives.We all want to have good relationships with others. Chodron offers practical techniques to help us gain a more spacious perspective on relationships, whether they be between lovers, parent and child, employer and employee, friends, or spiritual teacher and student. Guidelines are given for how to practice freeing ourselves from habitually blaming others for our problems and learning to be on the spot and take responsibility for our lives. This book describes how our mind/heart, not the external world, is the ultimate source of our happiness. We learn how to look at people and situations in an entirely new light. The book concludes with a discussion of common misconceptions about Buddhism. The author's down-to-earth language and examples invite us not only to engage the material but to implement it in our own lives. The author's open-minded approach makes this book suitable for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. 

Chodron offers practical techniques to help us gain a more spacious perspective on relationships, guidelines are given for how to practice, freeing ourselves from habitually blaming others for our problems, and learning to be on the spot and take responsibility for our lives.

Library Journal

Chodron, an American-born Tibetan Buddhist nun, here offers her second introduction to Buddhism for Western audiences, but unlike Buddhism for Beginners, this book has a practical bent, showing readers how to carry out the practices of Buddhism in daily life. Sections include fine and concise overviews of the history of Buddhist traditions and an overview of Buddhism today. Best of all, perhaps, for the curious reader is a section called "Taming Bad Habits," which contains advice on how not to complain, speak of the faults of others, live in the past, or take part in any of the world's other transitory pleasures. Highly recommended. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Thubten Chodron, an American-born Tibetan Buddhist nun, travels worldwide, teaching and leading meditation retreats. Known for her clear and practical explanations of the Buddha's teachings, she is the author of Buddhism for Beginners; Working with Anger; How to Free Your Mind; Open Heart, Clear Mind; and Taming the Mind. She lives in Seattle, Washington.