Read on Twitter
I have been reading and rereading the same five books by two authors in the last several weeks. One of them I have read and reread since late 2018.
Here's how I've been reading them: https://twitter.com/lkesteloot/status/1246863532638916608
Here's how I've been reading them: https://twitter.com/lkesteloot/status/1246863532638916608
(Should preface with, these books come at a time of spiritual crisis for me)
Chogyam Trungpa's Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism
Possibly the most important book. Reading out loud with a friend, slowly, patiently, and I started a book club to read together and discuss. So I have two bookmarks in this book atm.
Possibly the most important book. Reading out loud with a friend, slowly, patiently, and I started a book club to read together and discuss. So I have two bookmarks in this book atm.
Pema Chodron's When Things Fall Apart
The earliest book. I first started this in late 2018 during challenging life circumstances. Read cover to cover at least 3 times. It remains the book that is easiest to hear when things are hard. I reread chapters when I need to.
The earliest book. I first started this in late 2018 during challenging life circumstances. Read cover to cover at least 3 times. It remains the book that is easiest to hear when things are hard. I reread chapters when I need to.
Pema Chodron's Comfortable With Uncertainty
1 page teachings curated from her other books. I read a page out loud after meditating every morning with housemates; whichever one feels most relevant to our lives.
1 page teachings curated from her other books. I read a page out loud after meditating every morning with housemates; whichever one feels most relevant to our lives.
Pema Chodron's The Places That Scare You
Similar to 'When Things Fall Apart' but with more emphasis on descriptions of practices and Buddhist concepts. I pick this up on a whim and find practice instructions I need.
Similar to 'When Things Fall Apart' but with more emphasis on descriptions of practices and Buddhist concepts. I pick this up on a whim and find practice instructions I need.
Chogyam Trungpa's Work, Sex, Money
Specific teachings on these practical aspects of life. I read the chapters about each relevant aspect when I feel I can stomach that much discomfort, which isn't all the time. It takes a lot of courage to be able to hear fully, I find.
Specific teachings on these practical aspects of life. I read the chapters about each relevant aspect when I feel I can stomach that much discomfort, which isn't all the time. It takes a lot of courage to be able to hear fully, I find.
Chogyam Trungpa was one of Pema Chodron's teachers, so they have very similar teachings. I try to read something from 2-3 of the books each day, even things I've read before. This mode feels like the closest to Christians' relationship to the Bible that I think I've experienced.
I literally carry all five books around the house with me and will dip in and out of each of them in one sitting. This is combined with listening to talks by both teachers.
I don't take notes. I try to pay attention when I'm reading them the same way I would when meditating or listening to a close friend discuss something important in their lives--I really care about feeling the emotional impact, allowing things to really sink in fully, not rushing.
I'm getting a lot out of relating to these books and teachings this way, and wondering--do you have books you relate to very deeply? What are you doing, practically, when you read them?
And a question:
I'm looking for a hands-on, practical teacher I can relate with who would be a good fit based on my respect for Chogyam Trungpa & Pema Chodron's teachings. I've considered just researching Shambhala teachers but wondering if anyone has specific recommendations?
I'm looking for a hands-on, practical teacher I can relate with who would be a good fit based on my respect for Chogyam Trungpa & Pema Chodron's teachings. I've considered just researching Shambhala teachers but wondering if anyone has specific recommendations?
