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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Start Where You Are summary
A Guide to Compassionate Living
16 mins
Brief summary
Start Where You Are by Pema Chödrön is a guide to practicing mindfulness and compassion. It teaches readers to accept themselves and their emotions, and to draw on their inner strengths to navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience.
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Start Where You Are
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Key idea 1 of 7
Meditation can help bring peace of mind by keeping you focused on the present.
What is it about meditation that people find so useful?
Meditation is all about celebrating and living in the present moment – the now.
Even though all we ever have is the present moment, we do a pretty good job of avoiding it. We get bogged down in regrets about the past or worries about the future. But the more you focus your mind on the now and keep it off those hypothetical worries and regrets, the more content you will be.
This is what the simple yet powerful shamatha-vipashyana meditation technique can help you achieve. The name comes from the Buddha, who said meditation should bring tranquility, or shamatha, and insight, or vipashyana.
There are two steps to practicing shamatha-vipashyana meditation, and the first is to focus on your breathing.
Start by sitting upright with your eyes open and your legs crossed. Take a few deep but gentle breaths. As you settle in, be aware of your breathing and your environment. Notice the sights and sounds around you. Is it bright or dark? Is it quiet or noisy outside? Notice these things but remember to keep your focus on your breath.
This simple practice will help you live in the now. And since this is your only reality, it should be the center of your awareness.
While doing this, keep your mind from wandering to your worries and regrets.
Everyone’s mind wanders to happy or sad thoughts. You may drift off to contemplating your to-do list or an annoying event from yesterday, but all you need to do is recognize this as normal thinking and bring your attention gently back to your breath.
Don’t punish yourself or try too hard to prevent these thoughts. You might find it helpful to calmly say “thinking” to yourself as a way to stop a wandering train of thought and return your attention to the gentle rise and fall of your breathing.
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What is Start Where You Are about?
Start Where You Are (1994) is an enlightening guide to opening up your heart and mind and learning to feel happier in your skin. Discover the practices that bring calm and serenity to Buddhist monks and nuns, as well as the philosophy that puts people on the path to nirvana. This isn’t advice about what incense and candles to buy; it shows you how to look deep within yourself to confront your demons and find strength in your weaknesses.
Start Where You Are Review
Start Where You Are (2001) by Pema Chödrön is a book that helps readers navigate the complexities of life and find peace and happiness in the present moment. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- The book offers practical techniques to deal with difficult emotions and challenges, empowering readers to cultivate resilience and personal growth.
- Grounded in Buddhist teachings and Chödrön's own experiences, it provides spiritual insights that are accessible and applicable to everyday life.
- With its thought-provoking reflections and gentle guidance, it encourages readers to embrace imperfections and cultivate self-compassion.
Best quote from Start Where You Are
You can splash cold water on your face, you can sing in the shower, you can go jogging – anything thats against your usual pattern. Thats how things start to lighten up.
—Pema Chödrön
Who should read Start Where You Are?
- Spiritual people interested in Buddhism and meditation
- Anyone who wants fewer regrets and fears
- Those struggling with anger management
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Start Where You Are FAQs
What is the main message of Start Where You Are?
Start Where You Are teaches us to embrace our present circumstances and find peace and happiness within ourselves.
How long does it take to read Start Where You Are?
The reading time for Start Where You Are varies, but it can take a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Start Where You Are a good book? Is it worth reading?
Start Where You Are is worth reading as it offers valuable insights on mindfulness, compassion, and self-acceptance.
Who is the author of Start Where You Are?
The author of Start Where You Are is Pema Chödrön.
What to read after Start Where You Are?
If you're wondering what to read next after Start Where You Are, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Chatter by Ethan Kross
- Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff
- The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem by Nathaniel Branden
- Resilient by Rick Hanson with Forrest Hanson
- Making Work Human by Eric Mosley and Derek Irvine
- It Didn't Start With You by Mark Wolynn
- Welcoming the Unwelcome by Pema Chödrön
- Help Me, I Have No Discipline and Zero Self-Control by Vaughn Carter
- The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
- Everyday Ubuntu by Mungi Ngomane