Feeding Your Demons: Ancient Wisdom for Resolving Inner Conflict

Reviewed by Vicky Burkholder on 07/08/2008 Tsultrim Allione was one of the first Western women to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun. In this book, she presents an eleventh-century woman's wisdom to non-Buddhists in simple, easy to understand language that anyone can follow. According to Tsultrim, we can all overcome whatever demons are causing chaos in our lives, whether they be weight, illness, anger, or whatever. By following her five steps, we can supposedly overcome these problems. In the first part of the book, we are given an overview of Tultrim's life - her journeys into spiritualism, her marriages and divorces, her children, her tragedies and her triumphs. It is an interesting biography, if somewhat brief. But this book isn't supposed to be a biography - and it's not completely. The next section delineates the five-step program to overcoming whatever ails you. It is clearly written and easily understood. The third part of the book deals with specific types of demons. Each demon - illness, fear, addiction, abuse, etc. - comes with case studies allowing you to read about people who faced these problems and overcame them. Each one is different, and interesting to read. The last section of the book gives you information on how to deepen your work. In the grand publishing segment that encompasses self-help books, this is one of the more interesting ones I've read. It is brief, to the point, easy to understand, easy to follow and deals with problems that plague almost all of us. Does it work? I'll have to get back to you on that. But I can't see where there's any harm in trying. If nothing else, you've spent some time meditating and that's always a good thing. If you're into spiritualism, Buddhism, or any of the mediating practices, definitely pick this one up. If you're just into reading about obscure spiritual readers, this would be a good buy. 4.5 Books

Lama Tsultrim Allione has masterfully adapted the ancient Tibetan practice of chod and it's powerful gift of transformation so simply and directly that it will serve those who might be drawn to the book's evocative title, while also providing support and a fresh approach to long time spiritual practitioners. Simple, concise and carefully honed through Tsultrim's own many years of practice, this book and the practice which it transmits is a liberating gift for all those whose lives are devoted to freedom. Blessings and Gratitude...

This book offers a profound approach to resolving that with which we struggle inside (and outside too). I have been working with this process--so clearly explained by the author--and have found it to be extremely effective. The premise is simple: anything you fight and/or banish to your shadow will just find ways to haunt you even more, so why not find a way to provide it with the attention and compassion it really needs. This process has helped me to resolve and transform some deep-seated fears and issues. If peace begins within, this book goes a long way towards helping change what is frustrating in the world. I give it my highest recommendation.

I found this book to be incredibly powerful and transformative. A captivating and smooth read with a great message. The technique outlined in the book is simple yet profound, and was really effective for me. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in shedding old patterns and becoming happier in general (and who isn't!).

I have found this to be a highly effective, fascinating way of working with my emotions. I don't know about you but I have some inner demons, some forces that exert power over me whether I want them to or not and lead me toward a negative place. Tsultrim Allione's method of feeding these "demons" has given me a way of contacting those places in my mind and sort of sitting down to tea with them. It's a way of making friends, of coming to understand what they are all about. The end result is that the demon is no longer an enemy but becomes an ally. Or else just goes away and leaves me alone. I love the peaceful aspect of this method, the nonviolence. It's like the Mahatma Gandhi of self help.