Published by Shambhala
Publication date: October 8th 2013
Our discomfort arises from all of our efforts to put ground under our feet, to realize our dream of constant okayness.
There is nothing like the words of a Tibetan Buddhist to wallop you into consciousness. In the gentlest and kindest way possible, of course, but you will still shake your head and wonder what just happened. Living Beautifully: with Uncertainty and Change
What the fundamental ambiguity of being human points out is that as much as we want to, we can never say, “This is the only true way. This is how it is. End of discussion.”
WHAT?! I’m all for ambiguity in fiction and film but my stomach starts to hurt when I bump up against tenets like this. And perhaps that’s why books like this keep appearing in my life—it is not a lesson that comes easily to me. But Chodron’s down-to-earth style and ability to relate as someone going through the same things we may be, makes her reassuring without being preachy or saccharine. She intersperses psychology and science with the teachings, in one case applying the physical to an emotion, making it easier to understand.
The physiological mechanism behind emotion: an emotion like anger that’s an automatic response lasts just ninety seconds from the moment it’s triggered until it runs its course. When it lasts any longer, which it usually does, it’s because we’ve chosen to rekindle it.
Living Beautifully is slender and a book of the type that will end up dog-eared, marked with post-it flags, or, as in my case, with virtually every other sentence underlined. I won’t say I’m an adherent to the Commitments now (I wish) or have made all the lifestyle changes Chodron suggests but it is the kind of book you want on hand because there is no doubt there will be a point in your day when what Chodron says will not only apply, it will help.
Like you mentioned, books like these keep popping up on my radar. Maybe its because I need them at this stage in my life. Having two chronically ill children is tough, and I am constantly trying to find ways to look on the bright side- the life I have may not be the life I planned, but as you quoted- we cannot say “there is one true way.” This is my path (and it also makes my stomach hurt a little) I think I will try to get this book for my own collection. Thank you for the review.
Chronic illness is one of the hardest things to live with- both a sufferer and care giver. I’m sorry about your children but hope this book can help a little.