I have found, and am finding, this book very helpful. I have done a little bit of meditation, and don't know much about Buddhism. What I particularly wanted was a book to help me "stay" with uncomfortable feelings, let them sit there and dissipate perhaps, but the key thing was not to let them spiral out of control. Equally, not daydreaming or zoning out at times has been a bit of difficulty, and this book has been helpful with that too. Finally, the title was a very attractive proposition - to find ways to not get anxious (or reduce anxiety) about the unknown/what may or may never happen next - for instance.

I read this book cover to cover the first time round, and now I am dipping in to bits as I need to. Each chapter is very short and to the point, which is excellent. I found it really good to read whilst waiting - for buses, appointments etc - the "lulls" in the day. Most chapters are short enough to read in a few minutes. A larger amount of time is spent on reflection.

One read of this book really isn't enough. There is a lot packed in, and it really is an active reference book. Something to dip into, meditate on, think about, use as and when required. I bought the mass market paperback format because it was cheap, and was pleasantly surprised at how much white space there was in the book, compared to many books in the same format.

Pema Chodron's prose is very clear, lively, serious but leavened by humour, warm and conversational. It was often quite a calming read, and put things in perspective, because it was so clear.

I am not familiar with dharma teachings, but this was not a bad place to start. There is a glossary, and many terms are explained clearly and closely in the specific chapter in which they appear. I did not feel completely lost at sea, nor did I feel (as an atheist) that a belief in god was actually required to find things that were useful to me. Although this is pitched as a meditation book, I think there is quite a bit here that is practical, and is about (or can be used for) meditating whilst doing things (walking, standing, mundane task that does not require much conscious thought e.g. washing up), not just the sitting on the cushion in peach and quiet type of meditation. This suited my situation, as there were not specific physical requirements to do use the book. The main feeling for me was that if I had a willingness, or an openness, to ideas and emotions, to absorb and think about what I was reading, then that was a good enough place to start.

I look forward to continuing to use this book in the future - both in the way it is intended, as a kind of daily meditation teaching and practice guide - and the way I have been using it. ( )

Maybe my favorite book from Pema Chodron; certainly one of the most useful books from her or any other Buddhist teacher as far as I'm concerned. Short pithy "chapters" that both offer deep dharma teachings AND practice instruction. Reading one passage a day, and letting the teaching or practice sink in, becomes a lovely guided practice of 108 days. And then you can just start all over and do it again, for the first time! :) ( )