Practicing Peace in Times of War: A Buddhist Perspective

Choderon's books keep getting shorter and clearer. Here she gives a little classic of straight-talking compassion. In a world obsessed with finding security she speaks of living with "positive insecurity". In a simple, honest way she demonstrates how to culivate our own peace step by step, and why it matters so much: "If we arn't training inch by inch, one moment at a time, in overcoming our fear of pain, then we'll be very limited in how much we can help. We'll be limited in helping ourselves, and limited in helping anyone else. So, let's start with ourselves just as we are, here and now." (p. 78)

With so much discussion and dispute about what it will take to bring peace to Iraq and other troubled places in the world today, it is hard to believe that a tiny book of barely 100 pages could even begin to offer an answer. It suggests no commitment of troops or dollars, no complicated strategy, and no national policy. The answer is not easy, and because it requires individual, personal commitment, it may not make headlines. With disarming clarity, Pema Chodron provides a plan that is so practical and so down to earth that it is probably irrefutable. What can one person do to bring about peace? This book answers the question. I've considered carrying extra copies of the book to give to friends and strangers: maybe this review will encourage you in some way to pick up a copy for yourself.

This book is a wonderful guide for opening the heart and finding peace within. A very quick, inspiring read.

There's a bumper stiker around "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention." I have been one who has seen myself as ineffectual in the circumstances of these times. Pema Chodron's work is a truly radical teaching of how we contribute to war and peace and the importance of our individual contributions to the state of the "world" we live in and the world the next generation will inherit. Even if you don't agree with the positions she offers (some of the aspects of the teaching aren't "easy"), this work is thought provoking. Even a little practice of these ideas leads to revelation about our individual importance in garnering peace or creating war. We do make a difference.

I must respectfully disagree with the reviewer who said this book is only good if you are familiar with the author's other work. I was attracted to this book by the title as it was sitting and calling out to me on the new books table at my local bookstore. I looked at the back flap and recognized the author from an interview she did with Bill Moyers on his recent "Faith and Reason" series. This little book contains 6 essays edited from speeches the author gave. Each one contains grains of truth that can help you stop reacting in fear and anger to situations around you and instead to embrace patience and refrain from acting (or reacting), thus stopping the chain reaction of violence that seems to be swallowing our world. Although I am not a Christian, this book seems to reflect the core teachings of Jesus when he advised his disciples to "turn the other cheek," "go the extra mile," and when he encouraged them to realize that the person who needs the most help is our neighbor, not the person we feel most alike. This book has the potential to change your life (and mine) if we simply read the text and allow its messages to sink into our hearts.