Always Maintain a Joyful Mind: And Other Lojong Teachings on Awakening Compassion and Fearlessness

by Pema Chödrön

For centuries Tibetan Buddhists have relied on a collection of fifty-nine pith teachings (called lojong in Tibetan) to help them develop wisdom and compassion amid the challenges of daily living. In this book Pema Chödrön introduces these transformative teachings and offers guidance on how to make them part of our everyday lives.

The lojong teachings include: "Always maintain only a joyful mind," "Don't be swayed by external circumstances," "Don't be so predictable," and "Be grateful to everyone." Each slogan is followed by Pema Chödrön's accessible and succinct commentary on how to understand and apply it.

This book also features a forty-five-minute audio program entitled "Opening the Heart," in which Pema Chödrön offers in-depth instruction on tonglen meditation, a powerful practice that anyone can undertake to awaken compassion for oneself and others.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Self Help, Religion, Personal Development

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2007

About the author

Ani Pema Chödrön (Deirdre Blomfield-Brown) is an American Buddhist nun in the Tibetan tradition, closely associated with the Kagyu school and the Shambhala lineage.

She attended Miss Porter's School in Connecticut and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. She taught as an elementary school teacher for many years in both New Mexico and California. Pema has two children and three grandchildren.

While in her mid-thirties, she traveled to the French Alps and encountered Lama Chime Rinpoche, with whom she studied for several years. She became a novice nun in 1974 while studying with Lama Chime in London. His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa came to England at that time, and Ani Pema received her ordination from him.

Ani Pema first met her root guru, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, in 1972. Lama Chime encouraged her to work with Trungpa, and it was with him that she ultimately made her most profound connection, studying with him from 1974 until his death in 1987. At the request of the Sixteenth Karmapa, she received the full bikshuni ordination in the Chinese lineage of Buddhism in 1981 in Hong Kong.

Ani Pema served as the director of the Karma Dzong, in Boulder, CO, until moving in 1984 to rural Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to be the director of Gampo Abbey. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave her explicit instructions on establishing this monastery for western monks and nuns.

Ani Pema currently teaches in the United States and Canada and plans for an increased amount of time in solitary retreat under the guidance of Venerable Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche.

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great format - listing each of the slogans of the lojong teachings opposite a succinct explanation in Pema's words. Pema has a calming effect on me and I can really hear the lessons through her language. These are ancient teachings and her Western background (she is one of the only Tibetan nuns of Western descent) provides accessibility and clarity. I find myself relying on several of these slogans during times of stress and uncertainty.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's amazing how such a sparsely worded text could convey such succinct messages. Her commentary on each of the Lojong slogans was such a revelation. Very insightful book.

[Paula Cappa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always Maintain a Joyful Mind is a catchy title and I snapped up this book, read it in one hour. The Lojong slogans (59) and commentaries are lovely as they are intelligent, reminding us to be generous with our daily joys and our worldly delights. Share all pleasures and spread joy in the world! Chodron does a clever job explaining how to handle the difficult or “bad” times that inevitably come. Here she says to make friends with your pain and difficulties. Instead of rejecting them or running away, embrace your challenges and heartbreaks. Why? Like all Chodron’s books, you must take the time to read, discover, and ponder her thoughts; then put them into action. Ego-shedding is a must if you want to build honesty and true reflection. To become fully awakened into a compassionate and beautiful human being, Chodron names the Five Strengths. If everyone read these strengths and seriously made an effort to fulfill each one, the world would be a better place. I can’t imagine anyone reading this book and not benefiting in mind and soul.

[Teague · Rating 5 out of 5]

A treasure I will return to again and again. I may even buy it.

[Martha Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but you really need to have studied/utilized the Lojong form of meditation to find this rather bare-bones resource useful. I’ve studied and meditated on Lojong, and I found this book not as helpful as I’d hoped (it’s like the Cliff Notes version of this practice).

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book introduces Eastern spiritual practices which differ from those in the West. That is both it's greatest strength and a possible drawback for some. If you seek instant enlightenment, you will be sorely disappointed. If, instead, you are seeking fruitful ways to enhance your spiritual journey, this book may be for you. I'm a big fan of Pema Chodron, so I enjoyed it immensely. Even though the book contains sparse text, you still need to read it slowly. Contemplating the logong teachings helps one fully appreciate the full import.

[CT · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve had some Chödrön books which have sat on my shelf for some time but this was the first I’ve read of her. It’s essentially her commentary on Lojong, Buddhist slogans. These slogans are very insightful and meant to cultivate compassion and awareness. This book is something best served as a resource to constantly refer to as part of a spiritual or meditational practice as your understanding and how you perceive will change over the years. Great stuff and I will definitely be reading Pema Chödrön in the future.

[theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice book for your coffee table, especially if you would like your guests to be more joyful. Simply put there isn't anything in it that should be a huge surprise, but it is a good refresher for those of us that may let those dark and angry thoughts contaminate our minds from time to time.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes I find these Tibetan buddhist slogans and Pema Chodron's commentary on them helpful and insightful and other times I find them a bit depressing. I think I am misinterpreting, however, when I find them depressing.

[The · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a collection of little phrases/slogans to provoke thought and keep your mind on the right path. So, not much of a "book" per se, but some worthwhile catalysts for thought. Comes with an audio CD that I have yet to check out.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

a quick upliftng read. pema introduces the 59 tibetan slogans and provides commentary. this is the first of i've ever heard of the slogans and i really enjoyed them. she suggests picking one at random to follow/think about each day. i'm going to try it!

[Paige · Rating 2 out of 5]

A friend recommended this author to me but I think I chose the wrong book. (i.e., the one that was available at the library.) Some of the slogans were very helpful for mindful living, but many seemed overly complicated. I'd like to try something else by Pema Chodron that has a more typical format.

[Micabarry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this Buddhist nun and this book has very short quotes to guide difficult days.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the reminders about how to live life. A great book to always have within arms reach.

[Barbara Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like having a comprehensive collection of the Lojong slogans, but I would have benefitted from more in terms of the commentary.

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful little book. I read the whole book and now I use it as part of my meditation practice.

[Ron Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy, I needed that.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super quick read and very lovely. Mostly common sense ideas but still nice as reminders of what's important.

[Artemisia Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pema's books and audiobooks are always inspiring and full of deep wisdom. I'm never disappointed each time I return to her very relevant, yet concise words. A much needed respite in today's world.

[Tameeka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great daily meditative quotes and the reasoning behind them.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super quick read, but great lessons to ponder for deeper meditation and how to live.

[Wendy Swenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far everything I have read from Pema is excellent. She's down-to-earth and practical with spiritual teachings that could make a difference in one's life when practiced.

[Shandygirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read because it's really more of a daily affirmation-type book. I find myself being mindful to keep an open mind and heart each day. Always a good reminder.

[DK · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am sickened to learn that Pema Chodron has been complicit to the sexual abuse in the lineage. Many women reported abuse to her, Judith Simmer-Brown and Judy Leaf. They did nothing. Pema never stepped down as a teacher. She never retired. She gave up her title. Everyone gave up their titles. This isn’t a virtuous gesture.

Before you lay into me with your defense for this woman, I strongly suggest you Google Shambhala sexual abuse. The history of rape, child molestation and abuse is endless and g continues to this day. Her head monk was just charged with voyeurism at her monastery - Gampo Abbey. The money from the books we buy goes to continue supporting this sick organization. It is absolutely heartbreaking to me she has become an apologist and has never come to support the victims.

https://matthewremski.medium.com/the-...

https://www.gurumag.com/pema-chodron-...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-s...

I have more esteem for my spiritual development than to follow a sham.

[Gabrielle Jarrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pema Chodron is most always a five star read. Awakening Compassion and Fearlessness is a quick read, unless one chooses to be aware each day of the tonglen suggestions to become a better person. "Do tonglen whenever you feel resentment. Do it with small things all the time. Then you will be prepared to work with the big ones when they arise." The tonglen practice is to breathe in the difficult and breathe out the positive with love and compassion. Small task. Huge reward. Challenging practice.

[Urangoo Enkhtuvshin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were great messages such as "others will always show you where you are stuck", "don't try to be the fastest-don't compete with others", and "don't be so predictable-don't hold a grudge against those who have done you wrong." When it comes to the numbered teachings that get quite technical, my mind starts to stay behind. I respond better to teachings that touch the heart.

[Katie David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple to Understand!

This is the third book I have read about the practice of Lojong, and it was by far the easiest to understand. I read the e-book; I feel having a paper copy on my bedside table would be helpful.

[Sandra Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good little book with the Lojong slogans, but not much explanation. Not a definitive explanation of Lojong. Read Norman Fishers book Training in Compassion first and use this book to work with the slogans or as a reminder.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful meditations. Can easily be reread many, many times.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!