This is a book to come back to time and time again. Best digested in small doses I usually start out slow and then get pulled in and read it all at once. I'm sure I'll be back to read this again the next time I'm looking for help or inspiration. ( )

This ran hot and cold for me. On one hand, while I appreciate that Chodron provided guidance on some of the more basic "how to meditate" practices, I didn't always agree. I've only just begun my meditation practice, however, but I am also looser about it and feel pretty secure in there being no one right way to meditate. What really landed with me was her discussion of how to handle emotions while meditating. That is so REAL to me, and it is something I will surely return to as I continue this practice. I tried reading one short chapter a day (almost all chapters are very short) until my life got topsy-turvy with this move, and then I realized it might be better if I read through it once to get the gist and then return to the chapters I need. Many chapters, but not all, provide exercises on how to hone your practice--I wish those were a little more consistent, but they do provide an example of how to structure your meditation when you need it. So, in the end, I was glad I read this, but I'm not necessarily going to let it lock me in. ( )

This book is deep yet so simple. It explains in comfortable detail how you can rewire your mind through the practice of meditation. The author is a practitioner of Buddishm but it is easy to look past that (or even embrace it) to understand the message.

Somehow I had always confused relaxation and meditation but now I see that they are two different things entirely.

Become enlightened. ( )

A book that teaches self-love and the joy of meditation. One of the things that I love about reading Chodron is that she is very clear that the compassion and kindness you show yourself has the goal of being turned outward. She does not advocate navel gazing in any way, shape or form. As for being in the present, I'm sure trying. I've probably managed a few minutes per day. That's more than I had before. :-)

To have a lesson on creating a meditation practice in the kindest, gentlest, most honest and useful voice I can imagine, I'd highly recommend this book. ( )

A straight-forward and simple, loving guide to meditation. ( )