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Don't Believe Everything You Think: Living with Wisdom and Compassion
It can be hard for those of us living in the twenty-first century to see how fourteenth-century Buddhist teachings still apply. When you’re trying to figure out which cell phone plan to buy or brooding about something someone wrote about you on Facebook, lines like “While the enemy of your own anger is unsubdued, though you conquer external foes, they will only increase” can seem a little obscure.
Thubten Chodron’s illuminating explication of Togmay Zangpo’s revered text, The Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas , doesn’t just explain its profound meaning; in dozens of passages she lets her students and colleagues share first-person stories of the ways that its teachings have changed their lives. Some bear witness to dramatic transformations—making friends with an enemy prisoner-of-war, finding peace after the murder of a loved one—while others tell of smaller lessons, like waiting for something to happen or coping with a minor injury.
Thubten Chodron’s illuminating explication of Togmay Zangpo’s revered text, The Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas , doesn’t just explain its profound meaning; in dozens of passages she lets her students and colleagues share first-person stories of the ways that its teachings have changed their lives. Some bear witness to dramatic transformations—making friends with an enemy prisoner-of-war, finding peace after the murder of a loved one—while others tell of smaller lessons, like waiting for something to happen or coping with a minor injury.
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 2012
76 people are currently reading
601 people want to read
About the author
Thubten Chodron
70 books164 followersBorn in 1950, Venerable Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron (Ch: 圖丹.卻淮) grew up near Los Angeles. She graduated with a B.A. in History from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1971. After travelling through Europe, North Africa and Asia for one and a half years, she received a teaching credential and went to the University of Southern California to do post-graduate work in Education while working as a teacher in the Los Angeles City School System.
In 1975, she attended a meditation course given by Ven. Lama Yeshe and Ven. Zopa Rinpoche, and subsequently went to their monastery in Nepal to continue to study and practice Buddha's teachings. In 1977, she received the sramanerika (novice) ordination, and in 1986, received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan.
She studied and practiced Buddhism of the Tibetan tradition for many years in India and Nepal under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tsenzhap Serkong Rinpoche, Zopa Rinpoche and other Tibetan masters for many years. She directed the spiritual program at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute in Italy for nearly two years, studied three years at Dorje Pamo Monastery in France, and was resident teacher at Amitabha Buddhist Center in Singapore. For ten years she was resident teacher at Dharma Friendship Founation in Seattle, where she continues to be spiritual advisor.
Ven. Chodron was a co-organizer of Life as a Western Buddhist Nun, and took part in the conferences of Western Buddhist teachers with H.H. the Dalai Lama in 1993 and 1994. She was present during the Jewish delegation's visit to Dharamsala, India, in 1990, which was the basis for Rodger Kamenetz' The Jew in the Lotus, and attended the Second Gethsemani Encounter in 2002. She is keen on interreligious dialogue. She has also been present at several of the Mind-Life Conferences in which H. H. the Dalai Lama dialogues with Western scientists.
Ven. Chodron travels worldwide to teach the Dharma: North America, Latin America, Israel, Singapore, Malaysia, and former communist countries.. Seeing the importance and necessity of a monastery for Westerners training in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, she founded Sravasti Abbey and is currently involved in developing it.
Ven. Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well-known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings.
In 1975, she attended a meditation course given by Ven. Lama Yeshe and Ven. Zopa Rinpoche, and subsequently went to their monastery in Nepal to continue to study and practice Buddha's teachings. In 1977, she received the sramanerika (novice) ordination, and in 1986, received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan.
She studied and practiced Buddhism of the Tibetan tradition for many years in India and Nepal under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tsenzhap Serkong Rinpoche, Zopa Rinpoche and other Tibetan masters for many years. She directed the spiritual program at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute in Italy for nearly two years, studied three years at Dorje Pamo Monastery in France, and was resident teacher at Amitabha Buddhist Center in Singapore. For ten years she was resident teacher at Dharma Friendship Founation in Seattle, where she continues to be spiritual advisor.
Ven. Chodron was a co-organizer of Life as a Western Buddhist Nun, and took part in the conferences of Western Buddhist teachers with H.H. the Dalai Lama in 1993 and 1994. She was present during the Jewish delegation's visit to Dharamsala, India, in 1990, which was the basis for Rodger Kamenetz' The Jew in the Lotus, and attended the Second Gethsemani Encounter in 2002. She is keen on interreligious dialogue. She has also been present at several of the Mind-Life Conferences in which H. H. the Dalai Lama dialogues with Western scientists.
Ven. Chodron travels worldwide to teach the Dharma: North America, Latin America, Israel, Singapore, Malaysia, and former communist countries.. Seeing the importance and necessity of a monastery for Westerners training in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, she founded Sravasti Abbey and is currently involved in developing it.
Ven. Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well-known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 29, 2023
1/29/23- a lovely reset. I love re-reading this and feeling that connection. One of my favorites.
4/17/22- still a great source to come back to to get that refresher. There’s parts of Buddhism that doesn’t work for me but a lot of it does. This book helps guide you to better ways of thinking.
This is not a self help book. I feel like with a title like that, one could easily assume that it is. I'm a fan of the author, Thubten Chodron, so I knew it was a book about using Buddhism in your life. The main title itself doesn't really fit this book and that's perfectly fine. It deals more with learning to treat others with compassion and learning a new approach to living.
I was fascinated by this book and found it very useful. I will definitely be reading more books like this. Buddhist practice is quite different and more nuanced than I'm used to. If you're looking for a beginners guide to practicing Buddhism, this seems to be a good one.
4/17/22- still a great source to come back to to get that refresher. There’s parts of Buddhism that doesn’t work for me but a lot of it does. This book helps guide you to better ways of thinking.
This is not a self help book. I feel like with a title like that, one could easily assume that it is. I'm a fan of the author, Thubten Chodron, so I knew it was a book about using Buddhism in your life. The main title itself doesn't really fit this book and that's perfectly fine. It deals more with learning to treat others with compassion and learning a new approach to living.
I was fascinated by this book and found it very useful. I will definitely be reading more books like this. Buddhist practice is quite different and more nuanced than I'm used to. If you're looking for a beginners guide to practicing Buddhism, this seems to be a good one.
June 4, 2013
Venerable Thubten Chodron is a notable author, Buddhist monastic and the founder/abbess of Sravasti Abbey, a meditation community in Newport, Washington. She also hosts the Bodhisattva Breakfast Corner channel on YouTube which I highly encourage you to check out as well as her website which is chock full of information. It’s quite remarkable how often I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of Dharma discovery when visiting it.
Her latest book, Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Living with Wisdom and Compassion is a commentary on The Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas by Togmay Zangpo, a Tibetan monk and Bodhisattva. Within in the pages, she offers up a crystal clear interpretation and explanation of the Dharma by providing an in depth, yet accessible commentary on each of the 37 verses and then providing a myriad of stories from others on the path who exemplify the teachings within the verses based on experiences they’ve encountered within their lives.
The book is a helpful guide as to how to apply these practices in one’s life in order to work towards the enlightenment of all sentient beings and to support one’s efforts as a Bodhisattva. It is a nourishing read and covers a lot of ground – everything from meditation, practice and study to friendships, relationships, karma, adversity and so very much more. Don’t Believe Everything You Think offers guidance like that of a warm friend rather than of disciplinarian as Thubten Chodron shares her personality and experiences with honesty and generosity. This book leaves readers in a way that one is left with a method to live and exist in a manner that brings less suffering for self and others.
Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Living with Wisdom and Compassion is the perfect companion to one’s study of the 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas and comes with my high praise for being so well-written and offering teachings that are easy to grasp and put into action. Now reminding oneself to do so – that is the real work of Bodhisattvas.
I’d like to leave you with a few links to check out from Thubten Chodron which are referred to within this book as well as from her website.
Audio of Thubten Chodron’s teachings on The 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas
A link to The 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas by Gyelsay Togmay Sangpo
Talks by Ven. Chodron based on the book Don’t Believe Everything You Think
Her latest book, Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Living with Wisdom and Compassion is a commentary on The Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas by Togmay Zangpo, a Tibetan monk and Bodhisattva. Within in the pages, she offers up a crystal clear interpretation and explanation of the Dharma by providing an in depth, yet accessible commentary on each of the 37 verses and then providing a myriad of stories from others on the path who exemplify the teachings within the verses based on experiences they’ve encountered within their lives.
The book is a helpful guide as to how to apply these practices in one’s life in order to work towards the enlightenment of all sentient beings and to support one’s efforts as a Bodhisattva. It is a nourishing read and covers a lot of ground – everything from meditation, practice and study to friendships, relationships, karma, adversity and so very much more. Don’t Believe Everything You Think offers guidance like that of a warm friend rather than of disciplinarian as Thubten Chodron shares her personality and experiences with honesty and generosity. This book leaves readers in a way that one is left with a method to live and exist in a manner that brings less suffering for self and others.
Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Living with Wisdom and Compassion is the perfect companion to one’s study of the 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas and comes with my high praise for being so well-written and offering teachings that are easy to grasp and put into action. Now reminding oneself to do so – that is the real work of Bodhisattvas.
I’d like to leave you with a few links to check out from Thubten Chodron which are referred to within this book as well as from her website.
Audio of Thubten Chodron’s teachings on The 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas
A link to The 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas by Gyelsay Togmay Sangpo
Talks by Ven. Chodron based on the book Don’t Believe Everything You Think
January 31, 2016
The most interesting part of this book is Chodron's commentary on Togmay Zangpo’s The Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas. The antidotes from dharma students waxed and waned between being really interesting and quite frankly a little dull. They also embodied something I struggled with throughout this book, that is the assumption that materialism manifests itself in the same way across socio-economic statuses. Chodron writes from a place of having abandoning upper middle class living for life as a buddhist nun, and writes about materialism from the assumption that most folks living in the U.S who are grappling with consumerist culture have similar struggles in terms of leaving behind wealth and extensive material trappings. In an age where U.S buddhists are trying to grapple more heavily with white & class privilege, it was a little disappointing to read a book which doesn't take those things more thoroughly into account when discussing how to disengage from the culture of materialism U.S society lives in.
June 3, 2013
Explication of The 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas.
October 19, 2021
Fantastic content, the form didnt speak to me.
June 26, 2016
This is definitely focused on Buddhist teachings and thus may not be as non-secular as it claims at the beginning of this book. There are definite wisdom in the 37 Practises but there was just something missing in it for me to give this a full five stars. Perhaps it leans too much in the way of advocating for monastic life.
March 24, 2021
The authors and interviewees are all associated with a Tibetan style Buddhist monastery in Washington state, and parts were good. But it felt heavily edited especially in the speech patterns of the lay members of the group. Americans tend to say things 12 different ways, after a lifetime of anything goes exposure to media. I found everyone using the same phrases and verbiage ...disturbing.
February 20, 2020
This book takes the 37 verses of the Practices of the Bodhisattvas and delves deeper into them. She gives modern examples of what the ancient text is talking about and then opens it up to members of her Sangha to give personal stories that relate to the verse in question. Sometimes these stories helped me to connect to the verse, other times they actually drove me away.
Here are two quotes and a concrete explanation of Buddhist practices I found insightful:
“Many people find it much easier to be kind to others than to be kind to themselves. Being kind to ourselves, forgiving ourselves, and extending compassion to ourselves is a skill we need to learn. Then we need to practice it repeatedly. It’s not selfish to be kind to ourselves; this is very different from being self-indulgent. We are a sentient being, and in Buddhism we want to have love and compassion for all sentient beings and to work for the benefit of all sentient beings. We can’t leave one sentient being out saying, ‘I’ll extend kindness to all sentient beings except myself.’” (14)
“While a description of Buddhahood contains many lofty and marvelous qualities, a good way to begin to get a sense of the state of a Buddha is to imagine what it would be like never to get angry at anyone, no matter what they said or did to you.” (15)
Seven-Point Cause and Effect:
Seeing all beings as having been our mother.
Understanding their kindness.
Wishing to repay their kindness.
Love, wishing them to have happiness and its causes.
Compassion, wishing them to be free of suffering and its causes.
The great resolve to undertake the task of bringing them happiness and freeing them from their suffering.
Bodhicitta- the altruistic intention in which we seek complete enlightenment in order to best benefit all living being- arises as a result of the previous six causes.
Here are two quotes and a concrete explanation of Buddhist practices I found insightful:
“Many people find it much easier to be kind to others than to be kind to themselves. Being kind to ourselves, forgiving ourselves, and extending compassion to ourselves is a skill we need to learn. Then we need to practice it repeatedly. It’s not selfish to be kind to ourselves; this is very different from being self-indulgent. We are a sentient being, and in Buddhism we want to have love and compassion for all sentient beings and to work for the benefit of all sentient beings. We can’t leave one sentient being out saying, ‘I’ll extend kindness to all sentient beings except myself.’” (14)
“While a description of Buddhahood contains many lofty and marvelous qualities, a good way to begin to get a sense of the state of a Buddha is to imagine what it would be like never to get angry at anyone, no matter what they said or did to you.” (15)
Seven-Point Cause and Effect:
Seeing all beings as having been our mother.
Understanding their kindness.
Wishing to repay their kindness.
Love, wishing them to have happiness and its causes.
Compassion, wishing them to be free of suffering and its causes.
The great resolve to undertake the task of bringing them happiness and freeing them from their suffering.
Bodhicitta- the altruistic intention in which we seek complete enlightenment in order to best benefit all living being- arises as a result of the previous six causes.
May 11, 2024
At its heart, this project is best understood as a commentary on the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva in which the commentator then illustrates their commentary through the use of personal witness or story taken from their local devotional or practicing group. The commentator grounds the commentary in a specific hermeneutic approach and orientation, and the illustrations then act as a real time example of the principle or concept in practice.
The effect is a work that blends exegesis and eisegesis into one unified voice, authorized under Chodron’s imprimatur. It is an ambitious project, and well worth the effort engaging.
Die to the nature of the project, it is also a bit uneven across the board. Some sections are very clear, with sharp observations and pragmatic yet insightful readings. Others are less direct, less clear, and—depending on how one feels about core Buddhism teachings regarding karma and the cycle of rebirth—simply harder for a practitioner of secular Buddhism to swallow.
Recommended for those looking to learn more about traditional Buddhist teachings surrounding compassion, selflessness, and decentering one’s own desires. Slight warning for those who tend towards scrupulosity or who already struggle with saying no, setting appropriate relationship boundaries, etc., as the core teachings on karma and bodhisatva principles that this may not be the most helpful text unless you are able to read some some other texts to balance.
The effect is a work that blends exegesis and eisegesis into one unified voice, authorized under Chodron’s imprimatur. It is an ambitious project, and well worth the effort engaging.
Die to the nature of the project, it is also a bit uneven across the board. Some sections are very clear, with sharp observations and pragmatic yet insightful readings. Others are less direct, less clear, and—depending on how one feels about core Buddhism teachings regarding karma and the cycle of rebirth—simply harder for a practitioner of secular Buddhism to swallow.
Recommended for those looking to learn more about traditional Buddhist teachings surrounding compassion, selflessness, and decentering one’s own desires. Slight warning for those who tend towards scrupulosity or who already struggle with saying no, setting appropriate relationship boundaries, etc., as the core teachings on karma and bodhisatva principles that this may not be the most helpful text unless you are able to read some some other texts to balance.
May 13, 2024
This was my first book that I’ve read on Buddhism. I found it very motivating, and it has given me a lot to ponder about on my down time. This is a great book for those who want to examine their own thoughts and feelings and want to practice ways of dealing with negative feelings, arrogance, greed etc. Very well-written and included great examples.
March 13, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I am not a Buddhist and do not plan on becoming one, but there is a lot I took from this book that I want to implement into my life (the author says as much: take what works for you).
July 8, 2022
This book has been my companion at a critical time. What made the teachings in this book sink in further were the real life anecdotes included in each chapter.
Some key takeaways for me from this book are that: (1) our existence is one of affliction and we are all caught in the cycle of hate, anger, attachments, etc., (2) the antidote to unhappiness is to be mindful of negative thoughts arising as soon as possible, (3) it's OK to detach from good people who have negative influence on us, (4) we are all just labels, labeling each other and our perceptions of each other (e.g. my boss is mean), (5) compassion (to others and self) is not a feeling; it requires rationality, skill and practice.
The book is steeped in traditional Buddhist teachings that I respect but personally don't subscribe to (e.g. re-birth). Otherwise, the book would've easily received 5 stars from me.
Some key takeaways for me from this book are that: (1) our existence is one of affliction and we are all caught in the cycle of hate, anger, attachments, etc., (2) the antidote to unhappiness is to be mindful of negative thoughts arising as soon as possible, (3) it's OK to detach from good people who have negative influence on us, (4) we are all just labels, labeling each other and our perceptions of each other (e.g. my boss is mean), (5) compassion (to others and self) is not a feeling; it requires rationality, skill and practice.
The book is steeped in traditional Buddhist teachings that I respect but personally don't subscribe to (e.g. re-birth). Otherwise, the book would've easily received 5 stars from me.
August 9, 2022
Great reminder/refresher on nature of the mind and how to not spin into its tricks, questions of the self, etc. I can’t get with the reincarnation and karmic debt part personally, but outside of those parts much of this deeply resonated with me.
October 2, 2020
Sách luận giải chi tiết 37 bài kệ của bồ tát. Ba mươi bảy bài có bài đọc hiểu liền, có bài đọc luận giải mới hiểu. Quan trọng là thực hành theo các bài kệ này trong đời sống hằng ngày .
September 20, 2021
Not a huge fan but this is better than most of her books.
Read
July 17, 2022Felt myself nodding off during the introduction... so... no, not for me
November 16, 2022
Life changing
January 28, 2023
A highly practical and easy to understanding manual covering important practices, correct attitudes and beliefs.
May 15, 2023
There were parts of this that could have been more clear but on the whole this really helped me
August 15, 2023
I really liked all of the stories/examples of how to use Buddhism in daily life.
August 22, 2023
As an audio book, the format made the message somewhat unclear.
September 19, 2024
Audiobook: this was a great book on understanding the 37 teachings and how it can apply to the modern world. Really want to get more in depth of the readings
January 29, 2025
Great audio book. Very well read.
April 12, 2025
Interesting, some very helpful parts. I was confused in some sections as it was a little too technical (is that the right word?)
June 5, 2025
another book of some useful practices and tips to help with self-reflection.
November 7, 2025
An excellent commentary on the 37 Practices of the Bodhisattva. Very nicely explained for Westerners.
December 12, 2024
The differentiation between “thinking” and “having thoughts” is just ridiculous, to me. To put such emphasis on “thinking is bad, but having thoughts is good” is silly. Glad I didn’t waste any $$ on this book!!
November 17, 2012
I just finished reading Don't Believe Everything You Think. It is one of the most hands on thought training handbooks I've seen. Reading the personal stories of everyday folks that have used these verses to transform challenges into opportunities for growing their courage and compassion gives me pause for hope. Maybe I too can work with my mind in this way.Thank you Venerable Chodron!
July 7, 2018
Thubten Chodron did an admirable job simplifying The 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas.
Not only did she thoroughly decipher each verse but she also helped make them applicable to modern times.
When unraveling the verses, she used exceptional metaphors, similes, symbolism, and other figurative devices to revive the verses themselves.
Not only did she thoroughly decipher each verse but she also helped make them applicable to modern times.
When unraveling the verses, she used exceptional metaphors, similes, symbolism, and other figurative devices to revive the verses themselves.
September 25, 2013
In a world of spiritual symbology within all religions and philosophies, Venerable Thubten Chodron cuts to the chase by reducing the ladder of abstraction into practical everyday living terms according to the Buddha..I recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews