What do you think?
Rate this book
Giving Our Best: A Retreat with Pema Chodron on Practicing the Way of the Bodhisattva
Compassion is a skill. It’s not a special trait that we either have or don’t, but a practice that we can all nurture in our daily lives. And the benefits are vast. It liberates our hearts from a narrow sense of self, expands our sense of well-being, and so much more. Of course, it’s not always easy. But when we learn to work with our adversities and fears, whatever it is that might be keeping us stuck, then we find that we gradually and naturally become more open, joyful, and free. And it is this very freedom that enlivens us and allows us to become truly available to the people around us.
In this recorded retreat, Pema Chödrön reveals all the essentials for practicing compassion in our everyday lives, using a text that is very close to her heart: the Buddhist classic known as The Way of the Bodhisattva. Here she focuses on its first chapter and primary subject, the enlightened heart and mind (bodhichitta), showing us how this awakened state is available to us here and now, right where we are.
In this recorded retreat, Pema Chödrön reveals all the essentials for practicing compassion in our everyday lives, using a text that is very close to her heart: the Buddhist classic known as The Way of the Bodhisattva. Here she focuses on its first chapter and primary subject, the enlightened heart and mind (bodhichitta), showing us how this awakened state is available to us here and now, right where we are.
Audio CD
First published March 11, 2014
6 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Pema Chödrön
189 books5,454 followersAni 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 25, 2015
Gold. Whatever that text was (I am being flip -- but I really don't know which one it was) that guided this lecture was just right. It allowed for discussion of how to Be in specific as well as general ways. Another big fat solid vitamin. Pema's approach is gentle, light, and steady. Weird: you feel on the edge of your seat, although you know nothing is going to happen -- other than to be reminded to stop and feel that ember of tenderness.
June 14, 2018
I enjoyed many of the teachings in this workshop, and did struggle with some of the context and language not being Buddhist. Chödrön is easy to listen to and her sense of humor brings a lightness to the session.
February 18, 2020
Pema is loving and caring. It is apparent from her works. She has the ability to always soften something in me. She sees and teaches with love and kindness which makes it possible to employ a kind perspective of life.
May 6, 2018
Pema Chodron such a wonderful way about her. I love both her wisdom and her humor as well as her very accessible way of explaining Buddhism.
October 20, 2021
Helpful, thorough, and (where appropriate) very funny.
April 10, 2020
2020.03.03–2020.03.03
Chödrön P (2014) (03:52) Giving Our Best - A Retreat with Pema Chödrön on Practicing the Way of the Bodhisattva
Chödrön P (2014) (03:52) Giving Our Best - A Retreat with Pema Chödrön on Practicing the Way of the Bodhisattva
December 10, 2014
This was my first book of Pema's and it was phenomenal! She is a wise wise woman and her teachings in Buddhism are wonderful. Will plan to read many more of her books. Also listened to this one on Audibles and listen to it over and over :)
June 14, 2015
I love Pema. This is all about practicing compassion for yourself and others. There was a really funny bit about a woman talking about the humor Pema has and she envisions Pema and the Dalai Lama emailing each other jokes at night :D
November 15, 2015
An amazing, practical guide to opening your heart to the World. "Living with an open door to all".
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews