You should know that the CD Audio Book CDs have .WAV files on them rather than regular CD files or .MP3s. The reader is clear and easy to follow. If you liked the book, I think you'll like the CD version too.

I picked this book after reading Eckart Tolle's New Earth. Pema Chodron speaks to many of the same issues from a little different perspective that, while perhaps more religious, seems clearer to me; more understandable. At the same time, I also think it's possible that many of us need to read both perspectives to gain a better understanding.

I was attracted to this book by the title. Being able to Start Where You Are was an empowering notion. It was the idea that I don't need to wait till I (grow up, finish school, lose weight, get married, get divorced, get a job, retire) to (develop spiritually, be happy, find peace). Most particularly I don't need to stop suffering to be happy, or start my journey. Instead, I can use my suffering to facilitate my development & growth. The CD version is true to all of these ideas.

First and foremost, you have to be open to Buddhism in order to feel comfortable with the teachings and meditation techniques presented here. I was introduced to this book by a friend and mistakenly thought this book as a self-help sort of reading material without much religious bent. I was wrong. It is definitely Buddhism, but not in-depth Buddhism either. Just some bits of advice here and there in the form of short slogans and some typical Eastern religous philosophical psychology mixed in to make it palatable for someone wanting mere self-improvement rather than the classic state of enlightenment sought in traditional Buddhism. The title aptly implies starter fare Buddhism. Starting where I am, that I don't like Buddhism, this book is not for me or anyone adverse to religion repackaged as self-help psychology.

This is an excellent book to start your life in the recovery mode. No longer are we living in the past, but we are living for today and this book shows us how through compassion and simple learning.

I truly enjoyed this book as it awakened a sense of compassion for myself and others, with insight and humor Pema Chodron guided me to a state of joy, and well being. I also discovered the 59 traditional Tibetan Buddhist maxims and was able to relate them to every day life. This book reminded me of one of my favorite authors, Ariel and Shya Kane and their book Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment their short stories are inspiring and fun, and I felt a sense of ease and grace that lasted well after reading their book.

I purchased this book when I began to explore Buddhism and mindfulness practices three few months ago. It was difficult reading, one chapter at a sitting, but it has taught me so much and inspired me to practice meditation almost every day since. This weekend I attended a stage-one Shambhala training on mindfulness. I credit this book for much of that. If you're looking to learn more about the application of Buddhist principles to life through meditation practice, this is excellent. If you want to learn about mindfulness/meditation but not as it relates to Buddhism, check out one of John Kabat Zinn's books.

Compassion is born of the heart and served by a disciplined mind. What heals our dense energies and emotions is the capacity to embrace in our cells a sense of the seven virtues ... such as compassion. Now compassion is not allowing someone to hurt us constantly but rather it is seeing the pain in the other that provokes them to act out. And by that one can see and perceive beyond our ego's filter and into what really is going on. Often when someone hurts us it is because of their own hurt and corresponding vindictiveness to extend the pain. The Buddha once said that hate never begets hate ...only love begets hate. Detached love is still love in the agape sense ... and compassion is the key to opening the heart once more to allow this remedy to flow. It is a gift to yourself ... when you release yourself from the attachment of what you want a situation to result in. Self-love is your birthright and it is in self-love that you can experience compassion along side strong boundaries.

Compassion is born of the heart and served by a disciplined mind. What heals our dense energies and emotions is the capacity to embrace in our cells a sense of the seven virtues ... such as compassion. Now compassion is not allowing someone to hurt us constantly but rather it is seeing the pain in the other that provokes them to act out. And by that one can see and perceive beyond our ego's filter and into what really is going on. Often when someone hurts us it is because of their own hurt and corresponding vindictiveness to extend the pain. The Buddha once said that hate never begets hate ...only love begets hate. Detached love is still love in the agape sense ... and compassion is the key to opening the heart once more to allow this remedy to flow. It is a gift to yourself ... when you release yourself from the attachment of what you want a situation to result in. Self-love is your birthright and it is in self-love that you can experience compassion along side strong boundaries.

I loved this book. A friend recommended it to me when I said i was interested in meditation. Pema Chodron has a wonderfully practical down-to-Earth way of putting things, and she has a delightful sense of humor. If interested in Buddhism, meditation, or simply learning to live more fully in the present, with all of life's trials and beauty, you will find much to inspire you in this lovely book.

My girlfriend bought me this book over the holidays, and I blew it off but finally had a chance read it from start to finish in a matter of 2 days. Pema Chodron wrote this book with clarity for everyone to understand her beliefs. I've read numerous other books pertaining to Buddhism and this one is by the far the easiest one to understand and comprehend. This book is based around the idea of being compassionate to yourself which in turn will penetrate others around you to develop some level of compassion. Chodron does an excellent job of motivating oneself to clear their mind and avoid unnecessary feelings of anger, aggression, pleasure, etc. Not only does Chodron explain the necessary steps to clear your mind, but she compliments this explanation with examples from her personal experience with students and teachers. The verbage outlined in this book is very easy to comprehend versus other Buddhist books I picked up and read. I've noticed in the past I've had to re-read certain passages quite a few times to fully understand it's meaning, but not with this book. This book motivates me to "start" working on myself, and in doing so it will encourage me to open my eyes to everyone and everything in this world.

This book presents Buddhist ideas and practice based around the idea that your current situation, however good or bad, is the perfect starting point for your journey toward spiritual wellness. I found the book to be very compelling. Ive read it numerous times, and each time it has an impact me. Pema Chodron has a very down-to-earth, casual and genuine writing style that I think a lot of people would respond well to. I highly recommend this book. Especially to those who constantly feel they are 'waiting' for woes and challenges to pass before tackling inner obstacles.

I found "The Buddha In Your Mirror" to be a much better book on effective Buddhist practice.

A guru, teacher, master etc. in Tibetan Buddhism is often called a "spiritual friend." Indeed, one of the great contemporary classics in this genre is "Advice from a Spiritual Friend" (a fine book, too). Pema Chodron's style typifies such a friend. Of course, a Buddha is supposed to have the rare ability to perceive what another person needs (vs. wants). A guru is supposed to try and do that. In a book, it's impossible to personalize the instruction. (Though you could get her wonderful 6-cassette set, "Awakening Compassion" which covers much of the same material = Lojong mind training). Nevertheless, her writing style makes it easy to read her books and her empathy seems to me to shine through her writing so that one can more easily adjust ones perspective to attune to the book and the point she is making. In this particular book she addresses the Lojong mind training she received from Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, her Guru. It includes many very helpful and useful precepts. This is a great book, but I did like some of her others a bit better. I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could.

Pema Chodron does an amazing job of being down to earth, yet on a whole different plane of thinking and feeling. Her writings made me question the way I see the world, the way I feel about the world and the way I feel about myself. Through her words and practices, I learned to be at peace with myself and the world around me.

Pema Chodron's writing style is brilliant, straightforward, conversation, easy, warm. & in this book writing in that style she gives so many great teachings that will make your life easier. She teaches meditations, Buddhist philosophies, & lessons she's learned from her own experience. One thing she talk about a lot is lightening up. It seems simple, but she means it. This is a great book to learn about a good life from. She's one of the best writers we have in eastern thought. Breathe in the dark & heavy, breathe out bright & airy --

This book is extraordinarly well written in plain, simple, accessible English. It is like Pema Chodron is sitting at your kitchen table explaining life in clear and easy to understand language, And the message is even better: pure simple truth about what is important in life. Pema Chodron has great wisdom and shares it through this wonderful book. A book worth reading and re-reading.