A new book!

Awaken Every Day:
365 Buddhist Reflections to Invite Mindfulness and Joy

by Ven. Thubten Chodron

Ven. Thubten Chodron’s newest book, Awaken Every Day: 365 Buddhist Reflections to Invite Mindfulness and Joy from Shambhala Publications is out now.  It’s a pithy compendium of Buddhist wisdom, encouraging us to understand the true causes of our suffering and the paths to freedom. Here’s a selection, featured in our June eTeaching. (Go here to sign-up for monthly eTeachings, short excerpts from Ven. Chodron’s books.)

 Baby Bodhisattvas

Having a positive vision of what we can become is important for everyone. Unfortunately, in communities where children see poverty, gun violence, and so on, this is the vision they have of their future. Not seeing a possible alternative, they replicate the behavior of their older siblings and parents, bringing the same tragic results.

The need for a positive image of what we can become spiritually is essential. The Buddha—Chenrezig, the manifestation of compassion, and Tara, the female manifestation of awakening—become our role models.

Perhaps we can’t relate to having a body made of light and having equal compassion for all sentient beings right now, but we can see that each of us has the seeds of compassion and wisdom within us. The small beginnings of the buddhas we will eventually become exist in us now.

Let’s generate the intention to nourish these seeds and act so that these seeds will sprout, grow, and flourish.

*Learn more about “Awaken Every Day.” 

* Use coupon code Awaken30 at Shambhala.com for 30% off this title through July 31, 2019. 

 

Ven. Chodron introduces and reads from her new book.