Bodhisattva Mind: Teachings to Cultivate Courage and Awareness in the Midst of Suffering

About this book

A bodhisattva is one who seeks liberation from suffering not only for themselves but for all beings. If you were a bodhisattva how would you respond in the face of chaos and difficulty? Is it possible to find calm in the middle of a storm? On Bodhisattva Mind Pema Chdrn explores timeless insights and practices from the teachings of an eighth-century Buddhist classic Shantidevas The Way of the Bodhisattva to reveal a powerful core truth that can move us all closer to the bodhisattva ideal. An Unlikely Voice on Living a Virtuous Life In the eyes of his fellow Indian scholars Shantideva seemed lazy and uninterested in his studies and was greatly resented. So they invited the young slacker to give a prestigious talkan honor reserved for only the most realized Buddhist mastershoping to humiliate him and force him to leave the school. Instead he delivered the timeless jewel known today as The Way of the Bodhisattva. Paradoxically the key to true liberation he taught is in taming the mind. Like a wild elephant the distracted mind causes emotions to escalate. But if the mind is trained to be steady and open no matter what comes at you you will remain solid in the immediacy of your experience. On Bodhisattva Mind Pema Chdrn leads you through an all-new series of practices inspired by Shantideva to help you "tether" your thoughts and emotionsnot as a limiting force but as a means to restore yourself in the freedom of the present moment. Experience the Spaciousness Available in Every Moment If we approach the wildness of our mind like a horse whisperer using gentleness compassion and kindness we return to our natural state of expansiveness that is always available to us says Pema Chdrn. Encompassing a rich span of insights from this gifted teacher Bodhisattva Mind shows us how to connect with the spacious clear and unbiased nature of our minds and experience the joy of complete freedom. Master recordings for Bodhisattva Mind graciously provided by Great Path Tapes.