Practicing peace

By Pema Chödrön

Book Description

When anger surfaces in our daily lives, most of us either suppress it or let it explode outward, creating suffering for ourselves and others. Buddhist teacher Pema Chödrön offers a different path in this concise guide to cultivating inner peace.

Rather than viewing anger as something to eliminate or indulge, Chödrön presents it as a workable emotion that can become a doorway to greater understanding. She guides readers through the essential practice of catching anger at its earliest stirrings, before it gains momentum and control over our actions and words.

The heart of this approach lies in learning to stay present with uncomfortable feelings rather than immediately reacting to them. Through gentle instruction, readers discover how to sit with the physical sensations and mental turbulence that anger brings, allowing these intense energies to naturally dissolve without causing harm.

This practice extends beyond personal transformation. By addressing the roots of aggression within our own hearts and minds, we contribute to healing the broader patterns of conflict and hostility that permeate our communities and world.

At just 88 pages, this accessible guide distills profound Buddhist wisdom into practical steps for anyone seeking to respond to life's challenges with greater equanimity. Chödrön's teachings offer hope that we can break cycles of reactivity and cultivate the compassionate presence our world desperately needs.