Start Where You Are Book Summary - Start Where You Are Book explained in key points
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Start Where You Are summary

Pema Chödrön

A Guide to Compassionate Living

4.4 (202 ratings)
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
    Summary of 7 key ideas

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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
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    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

    About the Author

    Pema Chödrön is a resident teacher of Buddhism at Gampo Abbey, America’s oldest Tibetan monastery. In 1981, she became the first American to be made a bhikkhunī or a fully ordained nun in the Vajrayana tradition. She has also authored several best-selling books, including The Wisdom of No Escape and When Things Fall Apart.

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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:
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    • Resilient by Rick Hanson with Forrest Hanson
    • Everyday Ubuntu by Mungi Ngomane
    • Welcoming the Unwelcome by Pema Chödrön
    • Radical Compassion by Tara Brach
    • The Kindness Method by Shahroo Izadi
    • The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod