The Pocket Pema Chödrön

Overview

Pithy, straight-to-the-point sayings from guru Pema Chödrön in a compact format. Best-selling author Pema Chödrön is renowned for her straightforward translation of Buddhist thought for seekers around the world. This small book, easy to tuck in a purse or laptop bag, makes it easy for those who’ve read her to remember the gist of the longer works. It’s basically all the paragraphs you highlighted, pulled together and numbered to 108. Each page, or sometimes set of pages, completes an entire thought. Chödrön clearly knows that it’s easier to absorb large ideas in smaller pieces, and what she’s gathered here offers plenty of fodder.

Described by the publisher as a “treasury,” The Pocket Pema Chödrön offers little leaps into deep thought for the more casual reader. I have enjoyed using it as a morning inspiration point. I’ll read a page, then do breathing exercises as my brain jumps around the information presented, connecting dots that aren’t immediately apparent. I wanted to highlight the entire thing!

This book lives at an interesting intersection, both as a lovely introduction to Pema’s work and as a wonderful reminder of previous reading.

Who is this book written for?

Any person who wants to live in a deeper state of consciousness, but doesn’t have much time. The Pocket Pema Chödrön is also a jumping-off point for those who wish to delve into Buddhist teachings. It is, after all, written by an American Buddhist nun with decades of study, and made accessible for all here.