Into the Heart of Life

by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo

A “down-to-earth, approachable, and deeply accessible” guide to applying Tibetan Buddhist practices to the everyday challenges of modern life—from one of the first Western Buddhist nuns ( Huffington Post )

The real test of our Buddhist practice happens not on the cushion or in the protected space of retreat, but moment-to-moment in daily life, particularly when we find ourselves in uncomfortable situations. How do we respond?

In this book, one of the most respected Western figures of contemporary Buddhism, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, offers insights gleaned from more than forty years of engagement with Buddhist practice. Her perspective is vast, with a well-grounded understanding of how the timeless Buddhist teachings apply to the demands and challenges of modern life.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Zen, Inspirational, Meditation

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2011

About the author

Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo (born 1943) is a bhikṣuṇī in the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. She is an author, teacher and founder of the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in Himachal Pradesh, India. She is best known for being one of the very few Western yoginis trained in the East, having spent twelve years living in a remote cave in the Himalayas, three of those years in strict meditation retreat.

Vicki Mackenzie, who wrote Cave in the Snow about her, relates that what inspired the writing of the book was reading Tenzin Palmo's statement to a Buddhist magazine that "I have made a vow to attain Enlightenment in the female form - no matter how many lifetimes it takes".

Reviews

[Lúcia Brito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tive o prazer e a honra de traduzir estes ensinamentos em parceria com a querida Jeanne Pilli.
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo é notável como professora e como praticante. Para mim, o fato de ser uma mulher - e ter feito o voto de atingir a iluminação num corpo feminino - a torna ainda mais especial e venerável. Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo é uma voz pela igualdade das mulheres num ambiente totalmente dominado pelos homens há séculos, e onde a discriminação ainda é intensa.
"No coração da vida" é um livro fácil e agradável. Curiosos e praticantes novatos têm aqui uma excelente ferramenta para tomar contato com aspectos essenciais do Dharma do Buda. Praticantes experientes podem refrescar a memória e apreciar uma abordagem contemporânea.

[Breanna Furlong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Into the Heart of Life is a wonderful, beginner-friendly book on Buddhism. It focuses on understand the fundamentals of the religion and how to live it in the modern Western world. The only drawback is that book can be really repetitive - it's good for learning and reminders of the main ideas but it felt redundant toward the end of each chapter. However, it provided a lot of practical ways to improve your mindfulness in everyday life, so even if you aren't Buddhist, there's a lot to take away from this read.

[Kjell Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very direct just like Tenzin Palmo herself. She has a very practical approach to Buddhist practice, like Pema Chodron, that is very modern and relatable. An insightful book for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

[Jim Lavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book I’ve read, in the last couple weeks, by Tenzin Palmo. This woman speaks to me and has the ability to explain the practice of Buddhism and the art of meditation like no other. She’s truly a sage, in my mind, and these books are my refuge from this human condition.

Here’s a paragraph of her fine work: “ The Buddha said that karma is intention. This means that the seeds we sow are influenced not by the actual overt action, but by the motivation behind that action. Whenever we do anything, we can always justify it to ourselves. We always have high and moral reasons for doing whatever we do, and we can usually think of excuses for much of our conduct. But what is the real, underlying reason for what we do and say and think? Because it is that, the genuine reason, not the reason by which we justify ourselves, which is going to color and influence the kinds of seeds that are being sown. That’s one reason why mindfulness is so emphasized in Buddhist practice: we have to become aware not only of the superficial actions, thoughts, and ideas, but of what is really going on underneath.”

This book is a collection of her talks and what a wonderful collection.

[Linda Hollingsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jetsunma Palmo Tenzin was born in London in the 1940s and became interested in Buddhism during her teen years. She spent much of her early adult life in India and the Himalayas studying and practicing Buddhism, including twelve years spent in a cave. Seeing a need to promote women's place in Tibetan Buddhism she founded and is resident administrator of Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery (http://www.tenzinpalmo.com.)

Counter to what you may expect, this book is not esoteric; it is very accessible, warm-hearted, and helpful. I wanted to read this book because I was very impressed by Jetsunma's wisdom during a video workshop on Tricycle. This book covers a selection of her many teachings, so it includes practical examples and questions asked and her answers which strengthens the teachings considerably. Into The Heart of Life is easy to understand and will aid the reader in her practice.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The real test of our Buddhist practice happens not on the cushion or in the protected space of retreat, but moment-to-moment in daily life, particularly when we find ourselves in uncomfortable situations. How do we respond? In this book, one of the most respected Western figures of contemporary Buddhism, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, offers insights gleaned from more than forty years of engagement with Buddhist practice. Her perspective is vast, with a well-grounded understanding of how the timeless Buddhist teachings apply to the demands and challenges of modern life

[Rubina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Tenzin Palmo's follow up book to Reflections on a Mountain Lake. Like her earlier work, this book contains profound insights on Buddhist teachings. While some of the teachings may have been covered in the first book, i found the second half of this book with topics on Lojong (mind training in Tibetan) and the explaination on the Eight Verses of Mind Training (written by Geshe Langri Thangpa in the 12th century)to be particularly interesting.
Tenzin Palmo's clear, rich, detailed yet practical approach makes understanding the Dharma a joy.

[Simon Bardoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a good book as an introduction to Buddhism, an easy language, a bit repetitive, but I liked it. Makes you reflect on how to become a better person, for yourself and others.

[Lorena Vilela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book so much. I believe it helped me to improve as a human. I always reread it when I have time.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone could do with a copy of this to turn to.

Friendly but unflinching - truthful, practical and accessible.

[tal pereira · Rating 5 out of 5]

toda vez que eu leio esse livro eu me sinto ainda mais pertencente a mim e ao mundo ✨

[Joaquim Macedo Ferreira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Considero a perspectiva prática do Budismo muito interessante, claro que a parte religiosa da crença na encarnação e nas divindades é o lado da crença que para mim tem apenas valor simbólico.
De qualquer forma este livro é de uma simplicidade e oferece ideias de compaixão, altruísmo, saúde da mente, muito interessantes na sua vertente prática.

"Em nossa cultura somos muito levados pelo carisma. É uma cultura de adoração a estrelas de cinema, estrelas do rock e desportistas. Mesmo os nossos presidentes por vezes acabam sendo os que têm mais glamour, e podemos ficar presos a esse carisma como se fosse uma qualidade interior genuína"

[Vitor Araujo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Não sou budista, mas esse livro foi minha introdução ao budismo tibetano. Acredito que os ensinamentos de Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo contribuam para o aprimoramento pessoal e elevação que são a busca dessa religião fascinante. No livro ela aborda diversos tópicos todos relacionados aos ensinamentos de buda, como meditação, preceitos, e a forma budista de viver e despertar conscientemente para a realidade.

[Kati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Velmi zajímavá knížka o základních tezích tibetské větve buddhismu. Některé myšlenky, hlavně ty o smrti a o pomíjivosti věcí, na mě udělaly hluboký dojem. Přesto si nejsem jistá, jestli by tato odnož buddhismu byla pro mě. Velmi se zde totiž zdůrazňuje spolupráce žáka a učitele, který ho vede. Já ale dávám přednost vlastní práci na sobě sama. Spoléhání na někoho jiného - ať už Boha nebo učitele - jde proti samotné mojí podstatě.

[Ruby Jusoh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this so much. What a great book! She explained a lot of Tibetan Buddhism aspects in such a clear, humane and relatable manner. My favourite chapter is on the Eight Verse of Mind Training. Very impactful and taught me that to be free is to let go of attachment.

[Oscar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esclarecedora entrevista e anotações dos dilemas filosóficos e morias de uma freira extremamente iluminada. Vale muito a pena ler.

[Diana Rocco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! A simplicidade com que Tenzin Palmo transmite os ensinamentos budistas mais complexos sempre me impressiona. Sou apaixonada por essa mulher!

[Ana Mello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leitura leve, com ensinamentos práticos do budismo

[Expedito Neto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sobre parar, respirar e olhar para dentro. Uma visão clara e realista sobre o budismo. Um guia para a vida.

[André Andrade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some chapters are good but it can get very detailed and very cultural very fast. I would recommend watching her videos rather than reading this book.

[Tomás · Rating 5 out of 5]

An informal introduction to buddhism that will grant anyone who reads it a slice of illumination.

[marvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

many important things, talking about the basement of Buddhism

[Lorena Braga · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥️♥️♥️♥️

[Dcbruhbruh · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice buddhist book
written by a buddhist nun (english to tibet)

[Muaricio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Libro de autoayuda lleno de generalidades y historias que nadie puede verificar. Libro que incentiva a las personas a ser pobre y a quedarse en su zona de confort. Y mucha paja inventada

[João Victor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book 8/10

Boas reflexos, bem escrito

[João Victor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A escolha desse livro passou por um processo criterioso e repleto de cuidados. Acredito que os livros que lemos precisam ser muito bem escolhidos, afinal existe muita coisa boa por aí para ser lida, apesar do tempo limitado.
Assisti uma entrevista no programa de Antônio Abujamra, fiquei admirado com a tranquilidade, equilíbrio e honestidade da entrevistada, ainda quando visivelmente provocada. Procurei seu livro e encontrei esse. Depois que comecei a ler percebi que troquei as bolas: a entrevista era com a Monja Coen. Ainda bem que não demorei muito para perceber. Mas também, olha as duas e vê se não parecem.
Para minha sorte, Jetsunma Palmo também possui uma história riquíssima para ser apresentada. Independente de ser budista ou não, a filosofia que ela apregoa é universal e de uma simplicidade cativante.
Abra a cabeça e aproveite, vale muito a leitura.

[Vinícius Menti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinário, este livro provoca reflexões profundas sobre a forma como vivemos nossas vidas, e traz explicações cristalinas sobre a parte que realmente importa a qualquer ser humano, no que diz respeito ao budismo: como podemos viver melhor, sem sermos meras vítimas diante do prazer e da dor nesta terra que, como espírita, vejo como um mundo de provações e expiações, uma grande escola evolutiva. Recomendado a todos que tenham vontade de encontrar a verdade felicidade, que não jaz nas coisas do mundo.

[Ti Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

"We can really value the fact that we can meet people who are being difficult and obstreperous as spiritual friends—they are our spiritual helpers on the path because without them, we could never learn to develop patience and tolerance and loving-kindness.

It is easy to be loving toward someone who is lovable. The challenge is to be loving to someone who is absolutely horrible."

[Victor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Espetacular! As práticas orientais são as que mais fazem sentido na minha cabeça. Porém, não é nada fácil ler e tentar aprender sobre apego, ego, paciência, carma, sofrimento. Saber viver nas impermanências da vida é assustador...
Para ser lido aos poucos, com cuidado para absorver os ensinamentos e aos poucos incluí-los na vida diária.