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Taming the Mind
Chodron offers practical techniques to help us gain a more spacious perspective on relationships, guidelines are given for how to practice, freeing ourselves from habitually blaming others for our problems, and learning to be on the spot and take responsibility for our lives.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 1999
27 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Thubten Chodron
70 books163 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 3, 2020
Despite the (quite) bad ratings, I decided to read this anyway. The book is, as it claimed, an Introduction to buddhism and it serves that quite well so don't expect much. I needed to push myself at times to continue reading because of the writing style. It is, in no way, bad but as one other person said "hard to connect." It cleared some of misunderstandings and spread light on the philosophy of the religion. But only as on introductory basis but that's what the book was meant to be. I am sure there are better books out there on this topic but if you have this book you should read it.
June 28, 2010
I would say that this is a nice basic introduction to Buddhism except that it's almost a little bit too basic. Many of the concepts are explained in a very simple and easy to understand manner, illustrated with situational examples and so on. Good for somebody who wants a bland and straightforward how-to on Buddhist philosophy without having to wrangle overmuch with the harder stuff.
December 29, 2019
I hesitate reading any more Buddhist books because they all seem to be introductory works. I always find some nuggets of wisdom in any that I read but I have reservations about them. I’ve been searching for more intermediate works. But I’m glad I put that preconception aside. This book does introduced already familiar concepts but has advice on how to practice, complete with concrete examples.
Some nuggets I liked:
A Buddha has no gender. This make me wonder if all the fuss about gender fluidity isn’t just another way for us to be bogged down by this reality. I can see why it’s important to those peeps with mismatched gender and sex but I can’t see why people should be so hung up and put out by these people not accepting their birth gender.
There’s an official Refuge Ceremony that makes you officially a Buddhist. (59)
Taking refuge (though perhaps not the ceremony itself) is a repeated process.
“To this day, I feel uncomfortable when people ask which Buddhist tradition I follow, for in my heart I’m simply another human being seeking the path to happiness and a way to make my life meaningful to others.
“Labels too often divide people. Instead of understanding the real meaning and purpose of something, we’re attached to the name. We judge others on the basis of the labels attached to them, rather than trying to understand who they really are or what they believe. We create a general conception of what a certain name means, and then we assume that everyone who has that label is alike.” (201).
“We practice whatever corresponds to our dispositions and whatever we’re capable at the present. There is no pressure to do anything immediately.” (202)
“Words are limiting; they are facsimiles of reality.” (205
Speaking about how different religions appear to be different but perhaps just explain the same truth in different ways.
As I read about the spread of Buddhism across Asia and how the destination countries’ native religions shaped the Buddhism that came to be practiced there, I feel less guilty about my seeming appropriation of the religion in this country.
Some practical examples:
Say grace before eating and eat mindfully
Wake up with gratitude and strive to make the day one of merit.
End each day with gratitude.
6 Common Guidelines on How to Practice (63-7)
Be mindful of the 3 Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) and take refuge in them
Remember the kindness of the 3 Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) and make offerings to them.
Be mindful of the compassion of the 3 Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) and encourage others to take refuge in them.
Remember the benefits of the 3 Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) and take refuge 3 times in the morning and 3 in the evening by reciting and reflecting on any of the refuge prayers like, reciting this when I wake up
“How fortunate I am to be alive and have the opportunity to practice the dharma. The Three Jewels are reliable guides to lead me along the path to enlightenment. The best way to take the essence from my life is to develop the attitude of cherishing other and wanting to benefit them. Therefore, today as much as possible I’ll avoid harming others and will be kind and help them.”
Entrust myself to the 3 Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha). By, for example:
When we’re nervous, it’s good to visualize the Buddha, make requests, and imagine that light radiates from the Buddha and enters our body, filling it completely.
Don’t forsake the 3 Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) if our lives are in danger or for a joke.
Some nuggets I liked:
A Buddha has no gender. This make me wonder if all the fuss about gender fluidity isn’t just another way for us to be bogged down by this reality. I can see why it’s important to those peeps with mismatched gender and sex but I can’t see why people should be so hung up and put out by these people not accepting their birth gender.
There’s an official Refuge Ceremony that makes you officially a Buddhist. (59)
Taking refuge (though perhaps not the ceremony itself) is a repeated process.
“To this day, I feel uncomfortable when people ask which Buddhist tradition I follow, for in my heart I’m simply another human being seeking the path to happiness and a way to make my life meaningful to others.
“Labels too often divide people. Instead of understanding the real meaning and purpose of something, we’re attached to the name. We judge others on the basis of the labels attached to them, rather than trying to understand who they really are or what they believe. We create a general conception of what a certain name means, and then we assume that everyone who has that label is alike.” (201).
“We practice whatever corresponds to our dispositions and whatever we’re capable at the present. There is no pressure to do anything immediately.” (202)
“Words are limiting; they are facsimiles of reality.” (205
Speaking about how different religions appear to be different but perhaps just explain the same truth in different ways.
As I read about the spread of Buddhism across Asia and how the destination countries’ native religions shaped the Buddhism that came to be practiced there, I feel less guilty about my seeming appropriation of the religion in this country.
Some practical examples:
Say grace before eating and eat mindfully
Wake up with gratitude and strive to make the day one of merit.
End each day with gratitude.
6 Common Guidelines on How to Practice (63-7)
Be mindful of the 3 Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) and take refuge in them
Remember the kindness of the 3 Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) and make offerings to them.
Be mindful of the compassion of the 3 Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) and encourage others to take refuge in them.
Remember the benefits of the 3 Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) and take refuge 3 times in the morning and 3 in the evening by reciting and reflecting on any of the refuge prayers like, reciting this when I wake up
“How fortunate I am to be alive and have the opportunity to practice the dharma. The Three Jewels are reliable guides to lead me along the path to enlightenment. The best way to take the essence from my life is to develop the attitude of cherishing other and wanting to benefit them. Therefore, today as much as possible I’ll avoid harming others and will be kind and help them.”
Entrust myself to the 3 Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha). By, for example:
When we’re nervous, it’s good to visualize the Buddha, make requests, and imagine that light radiates from the Buddha and enters our body, filling it completely.
Don’t forsake the 3 Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) if our lives are in danger or for a joke.
August 17, 2019
The title was somewhat deceiving: very little information about how to truly ‘tame’ the mind, and very much information on Buddhism. Easy and informative read.
October 28, 2024
Gives a good basic understanding
November 8, 2015
Probably the best introduction to Buddhism.
An extremely readable book, tha deals with all the mein aspects of Buddhism: a clear explanation of the main points of its philosophy and how they can be applied to our everyday life.
You will also find an overview of the different Buddhist traditions.
Definitely, if you are interested in the subject of Buddhism, a must read.
An extremely readable book, tha deals with all the mein aspects of Buddhism: a clear explanation of the main points of its philosophy and how they can be applied to our everyday life.
You will also find an overview of the different Buddhist traditions.
Definitely, if you are interested in the subject of Buddhism, a must read.
November 3, 2007
I have officially given up on this book, having only made it about a quarter in. It isn't written as accessibly for a Western audience as other books by Buddhist authors that I've read (such as Thch Nhat Hahn,the Dalai Lama, Pema Chodren, and more). I had trouble connecting with its message.
July 20, 2009
I would probably rate this as amazing if I "believed" the supernatural aspects of Buddhism. This is possibly the best overview of how to be a practicing Buddhist that I have read & I have read a dozen or more overviews.
August 13, 2009
An in-depth look at Buddhist teachings on how to "tame the mind" - let go of the attachments that cause suffering in life. Interesting to me for the parallels to Stoicism, but probably only of great interest to students of Buddhism.
February 22, 2009
Good, simple overview of Buddhism. Basic stuff, makes one want to know more. Good for someone with little or no previous information about the subject.
July 21, 2009
a very simple and enlightening introduction to Buddhism.
February 12, 2018
О буддизме. Максимально понятно и просто об основных принципах.
March 7, 2019
Nice title, but dnf after reading p.33.
June 6, 2022
Книга будет понятна и актуальна абсолютно всем, вне зависимости от религиозных взглядов и образа жизни.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews