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Choosing Compassion: How to Be of Benefit in a World That Needs Our Love
Beloved Tibetan Buddhist teacher Anam Thubten shares how, by cultivating our practice of compassion, we can open our hearts and benefit the world.
We see so much pain and injustice in the world—how can we make a positive difference? Beloved teacher Anam Thubten invites us to deepen our compassion. Through practices that open our hearts and expand our awareness of connectedness with the world, we will be able to act with courage for the benefit of all.
We see so much pain and injustice in the world—how can we make a positive difference? Beloved teacher Anam Thubten invites us to deepen our compassion. Through practices that open our hearts and expand our awareness of connectedness with the world, we will be able to act with courage for the benefit of all.
144 pages, Paperback
Published August 6, 2019
27 people are currently reading
1030 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 15, 2021
This section of Buddhist and the author have a fantastic way of putting their understandings in a way westerners can quickly understand them.
November 5, 2022
Today’s Book of the Day is CHOOSING COMPASSION, written by ANAM THUBTEN and published in 2019 by Shambhala Publications.
Anam Thubten is a Buddhist teacher in the Nyingma tradition for the Dharmata Foundation.
I have chosen this book because compassion is such a key theme in my life, in my practice, and in my teaching, that I am always curious to read and learn from different authors and experiences,
ANAM THUBTEN in this book starts from the consideration of what we see in our world: pain, injustice, discrimination, and selfishness. The question that arises immediately, from the beginning of CHOOSING COMPASSION is “how can we make a difference?”.
The answer is to become aware and develop our practice of compassion.
And as compassion makes us feel interconnected and intertwined, practicing it will benefit everyone else, not only us.
One of the key points of this book is that the author shows how embracing this practice is for everyone, not just for Buddhists or spiritually awakened people. Compassion is a practice that allows everyone to open his/her heart to witness suffering and help relieve it, in every way one can find, both with small and big actions, choices, and behaviors.
Furthermore, compassion is not just for humans, it embraces and includes all living beings on this planet, creating a true, tangible circle of love, as the author calls it. The more we walk into compassion, the more we will understand that our practice transcends our physical boundaries.
What I appreciated in this book is the idea that in every single moment of our life we are given an opportunity to make a choice. And this choice, if based on compassion, has the power to positively change at least something in this world.
Through mindful practice, we can always choose to be here for ourselves and for all the beings, helping them, supporting them, healing them, and protecting them.
All this practice of compassion, in return, will set us free from fears, stress, anxiety, and daily struggles. It will represent a path of personal growth leading us to a better understanding of this world so as to commit to a life-long journey into connectedness and love.
I absolutely recommend this book to everyone!
Anam Thubten is a Buddhist teacher in the Nyingma tradition for the Dharmata Foundation.
I have chosen this book because compassion is such a key theme in my life, in my practice, and in my teaching, that I am always curious to read and learn from different authors and experiences,
ANAM THUBTEN in this book starts from the consideration of what we see in our world: pain, injustice, discrimination, and selfishness. The question that arises immediately, from the beginning of CHOOSING COMPASSION is “how can we make a difference?”.
The answer is to become aware and develop our practice of compassion.
And as compassion makes us feel interconnected and intertwined, practicing it will benefit everyone else, not only us.
One of the key points of this book is that the author shows how embracing this practice is for everyone, not just for Buddhists or spiritually awakened people. Compassion is a practice that allows everyone to open his/her heart to witness suffering and help relieve it, in every way one can find, both with small and big actions, choices, and behaviors.
Furthermore, compassion is not just for humans, it embraces and includes all living beings on this planet, creating a true, tangible circle of love, as the author calls it. The more we walk into compassion, the more we will understand that our practice transcends our physical boundaries.
What I appreciated in this book is the idea that in every single moment of our life we are given an opportunity to make a choice. And this choice, if based on compassion, has the power to positively change at least something in this world.
Through mindful practice, we can always choose to be here for ourselves and for all the beings, helping them, supporting them, healing them, and protecting them.
All this practice of compassion, in return, will set us free from fears, stress, anxiety, and daily struggles. It will represent a path of personal growth leading us to a better understanding of this world so as to commit to a life-long journey into connectedness and love.
I absolutely recommend this book to everyone!
July 30, 2019
In Choosing Compassion, Thubten reinforces the notion that we all have a choice, minute by minute, day by day on how we view what is happening in the world around us. He also speaks to the unity we have with all things, and the need to get out of our own heads and situations and be open and mindful of what is going on in the lives of those around us. Always, always choose compassion, for yourself and for others.
I like that he discusses how we can let go of our fears and anxiety by turning our thoughts to others, realizing that everything that happens is impermanent, and that the struggles we or others may be facing can be viewed as a blessing in that it opens our hearts, strengthens us and makes us more compassionate. There is a lot of worthwhile content in this short book!
An interesting read for those with an interest in other religions and spirituality in general.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Shambhala for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
I like that he discusses how we can let go of our fears and anxiety by turning our thoughts to others, realizing that everything that happens is impermanent, and that the struggles we or others may be facing can be viewed as a blessing in that it opens our hearts, strengthens us and makes us more compassionate. There is a lot of worthwhile content in this short book!
An interesting read for those with an interest in other religions and spirituality in general.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Shambhala for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
September 3, 2024
Anam Thubten shares his knowledge, wisdom, and compassion to provide an opportunity for readers to experience a perspective where all benefit when we take time to practice the art of compassion. I felt very connected to Thubten's words and felt the compassion and love that he has for sharing his wealth of knowledge to others in a way that is friendly and nonthreatening (nonthreatening in the sense that he was not pushy of his beliefs and was also very respectful of other beliefs). I'm excited to walk the path of compassion with him and experience a new perspective that allows me to feel more connected to myself and others. In a world that is experiencing on going change (for better or worse) I felt as though I needed something like this to get me feeling closer to the world and the people who just want to love and be loved, no matter the expression that they choose to showcase on their sleeve. This was a wonderful tool that I will continue to use in the future and cannot wait to read more of Anam's books!
November 20, 2020
A transcription of talks. Anam speaks to everyone. His books apply Buddhist wisdom as wisdom. He is a human speaking with humans. Having read all his works, I find each to arise from a heart humble. Choosing Compassion is a timely book, when it seems so many are losing the value of civility and caring for one another. So, Choosing Compassion presents sanity in the darkness of the insanity surrounding so many of us. Anam reminds us to return to the heart for peace and fulfillment in our oneness with everyone and in acknowledging the brevity and preciousness of this human life given us (not to waste it).
June 30, 2019
Short read that could make a big impact. This book covers everything from what is compassion, why do we need to receive it and give it, and how can we do so - even when it's hard? As someone who works with teens who have been through a lot, it was a good reminder to - yes - have boundaries but also to show compassion and teach them how to do the same.
Although this wasn't inaccessible for teens, I'd like to see a revamped version aimed directly at teens and another for children. I would personally buy those as well as professionally request them for purchase.
Although this wasn't inaccessible for teens, I'd like to see a revamped version aimed directly at teens and another for children. I would personally buy those as well as professionally request them for purchase.
October 14, 2023
In this book, the author presents a guide for one to develop a better sense of compassion based on tenets of Buddhist philosophy. Although he bases his teaching on general Buddhist principles he references his own practice, that of Tibetan Buddhism. Unless one has a basic general understanding of Buddhism it can be difficult to follow his stream. There are much better books for the person that has little understanding of the Buddhist faith including “Buddhism for Dummies” or “Buddhism Without Beliefs.”
November 9, 2021
wonderfully written book about exactly what the title says, being more compassionate and being a blessing in the world. many simple messages, many Buddhist teachings. simply worded, heartfelt, thoughtful. a very nice book. i read it slowly , only a few pages at a time, and that seems to let the messages sink in better for me. i have read many of this type of book, but this had a different slant, and the simplicity was a positive aspect for me.
August 27, 2019
[I was lucky to win a copy as a Goodreads giveaway!]
Great little [mini] guide for those dabbling or are beginners/new to Buddhism. You don't have to BE Buddhist to follow these guiding principles. Everyone should be applying these guidelines to their daily lives - we would create a much more compassionate and caring planet.
Great little [mini] guide for those dabbling or are beginners/new to Buddhism. You don't have to BE Buddhist to follow these guiding principles. Everyone should be applying these guidelines to their daily lives - we would create a much more compassionate and caring planet.
May 20, 2022
Choosing Compassion... spiritual journey and teachings surrounding Buddhism and incorporating positive actions and beliefs into life. Creeping toward an autobiography, this book follows the author recalling his experiences and training as a monk and offering advice to grow as a human.
July 15, 2024
As dharma there is nothing new here, though I do love Thubten's simple directness and unpretentiousness. An added bonus is his (very gentle) takedown of the law of attraction in the last chapter. I've always thought that stuff was crap!
February 13, 2025
this one literally re-wired my 🧠
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews