The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times

Can this book about disciplined Buddhist training for an enlightened heart help us face this scary time, fearlessly?A BOOK FOR THE SEEKER-WARRIORThe Places That Scare You begins with a description of bodhichitta, which basically means “enlightened heart or mind.” Ms. Chodron tells us that achieving this enlightened heart is the work of seekers training with the discipline of warriors. Such seekers are called, bodhisattvas, and what they are questing for is described in this book by connected essays based on Buddhist concepts.Among these concepts, meditation is emphasized as a primary technique in bodhichitta training—staying still and observing. Another technique is reciting the slogans, chants, and aspirations of Buddhism, and a selection of them is included in the appendix.On the way to that appendix, other concepts are described that build the foundation of bodhichitta. Among them are Tonglen (a method for developing compassion), four qualities to develop and so oppose suffering and bad habits, how to develop forgiveness, patterns of laziness to avoid, the value of embracing groundlessness, how to find and appreciate a spiritual teacher, and why the “In-Between State” should be our goal.All of this is well-written by Ms. Chodron, maybe even deceptively so. You can read this book quickly (it’s only 145 pages), but really understanding the material it presents requires more care. I found my inspiration from it on my second reading.READ MINDFULLY FOR MAXIMUM INSPIRATIONAnd I have read a lot of Buddhist literature. It’s books often have promising titles along the lines of: Guide to Fearlessness, Universal Compassion, Living Meaningfully, How to Overcome Our Human Problems, Mindful Steps to Happiness, and such. Their content can, however, seem disconnected from the title’s promise with the prose seemingly simplistic or else hopelessly complicated with eastern mythology. Pema Chodron’s gift is to get beyond these difficulties and communicate Buddhist concepts in a way that is accessible for the interested reader.In my first reading of The Places That Scare You, I couldn’t see the relation of the text to the title. It didn’t seem to me that the chapter-essays provided any kind of guide to living fearlessly, and I thought the “warrior” idiom was a bit forced. A more thoughtful second reading, however, changed my mind.The “guide” part of the book is in taking the reader to an understanding of bodhichitta (the enlightened heart). Each chapter is an examination of reality and how to relate to it through Buddhist teachings. As the seeker gains greater understanding of bodhichitta he/she becomes a bodhisattva, and so develops a fearless strength. This fearlessness allows him/her to enter scary places and learn from them.A READABLE INTERPRETATION OF ANCIENT TEXTSThe Places That Scare You is very readable, but even so, the depth of the material requires some effort from the reader to grasp. This makes just reading the book a virtuous endeavor if your purpose is to find enlightenment and inspiration. The chapters (twenty-two of them plus an appendix) build upon one-another to bring the reader to an understanding of bodhichitta, maitri, and prajnaparamita (defined in the text). Then the appendix provides material to support a regular practice to integrate the concepts covered.There are a lot of quotes from Buddhist texts, as well as traditional Buddhist stories to illustrate points (such as the story of Avalokiteshvara expounding on “Groundlessness” to a group of Buddha’s disciples). You can see a difference in tone between the quoted ancient texts and Ms. Chodron’s prose, which is modern. I think this is one reason her books are so popular. She puts Buddhist concepts in contemporary language. Some Buddhist literature written by Tibetan masters, say, tend to sound like the ancient texts and so can be challenging for modern readers.This book also contains a number of terms that could be considered “technical” in Buddhism. These include bodhichitta, bodhisattva, maitri, and prajnaparamita. These terms are explained well, but may be a problem for some non-Buddhist readers. I think it is worth your while to integrate an understanding of these terms. It will enhance your understanding of the book and the material in the appendix.The above might be considered both pros and cons, which is probably appropriate for a book about Buddhism.A BOOK TO HELP IN SCARY TIMESThere is much about this time in the world that does frighten me, prompting me to seek some kind of spiritual fortitude to help face it. I have noted many people in social media expressing distress over current events and how their traditional Christian faith is their comfort. That’s how scary our place in history is. Personally, I can relate more to a book like this as a spiritual buttress against fear. And so I found much inspiration in The Places That Scare You.In this time, we are under a constant barrage of fear porn from politicians and mainstream media. Especially since January of 2020, the efforts of our rulers have ramped up to keep us divided, afraid, and thus vulnerable to their machinations meant to increase the magnitude of their tyranny. In my opinion, we must resist. But our resistance must be wise, built upon the truths found and revealed by enlightened teachers over all of human history. Bodhichitta embodies such enlightened truth that can make us bodhisattvas, strong and fearless in opposing evil. I recommend The Places That Scare You as a training guide to help get you there.

I enjoyed this book. Good info and I’d read again. Thanks.

One criticism of Pema Chodron's work is that she's repetitive. I have never read her books and I appreciated her insight and perspective on some items I struggle with.

I have listened to Pema's audio books and retreat dharma talks such as "when things fall apart" and "wisdom of no escape" and have even read her pocket book cover to cover with much interest and came out feeling whole and steadfast, but only lasting for a couple of days. I totally admire and love Pema and her teachings. So I decided to read "the places that scare you" not only because my prevalent ego defense is doubt and fear (point 6 on Enneagram) but to investigate what it is that make Pema's audio teachings so attractive and at the same time so transitory in not lasting to me. Listening to Pema's dharma talk is learning with joy but reading her book is more: it is also practice. Pema knowingly drafted this book that reads as practice. The 22 chapters are short and at most have six pages or so and each chapter has at least one practice from Tibetan Buddhist tradition (Mahayana) although there are practices from other schools of Buddhism including Zen. It makes justice to list the chapters with relevant practice in parenthesis:1. The Excellence of Bodhicitta (chanting the eternal law)2. Tapping into the spring (unblocking addictions and reactivity to three lords of materialism: form, speech, and mind through meditation)3. The facts of life (Accepting three marks of existence: transitory life, egolessness, and suffering through awareness)4. Learning to stay (regular sitting meditation for attention to present moment)5. Warrior Slogans (59 mind-training slogans of Atisha)6. Four limitless qualities (aspiration practices of loving kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity)7. Loving kindness (aspiration practice of loving kindness or maitri)8. Compassion (aspiration practice of compassion)9. Tonglen (exchanging oneself for other through breathing)10. Finding the ability to rejoice (patience and fully connected to our bodies through sitting meditation)11. Enhancing the training in joy (sharing the heart)12. Thinking bigger (seven stages of equanimity practice)13. Meeting the enemy (heart practices to acquaint with near and far enemies of four limitless qualities) - standout chapter of the book - read this chapter by all means14. Fresh start (forgiveness practice, a variation on tonglen)15. Strength (the five strengths practice: strong determination, familiarization with the Bodhicitta teachings, seed of goodness, and practice of reproach) second best chapter in the book16. Three kinds of laziness (warrior practice of fully experiencing by not resisting the resistance)17. Bodhisattva activity (six ways of compassionate living: generosity, discipline, patience, enthusiasm, meditation, and prajna - unconditional wisdom)18. Groundlessness (meditate the heart sutra like a zen koan)19. Heightened Neurosis (compassionate inquiry into our moods, reactions, and strategies)20. When the going gets rough (four methods to turn the anger around - the last being regarding all that occurs as a dream!) Very interesting - the third best chapter in the book21. The spiritual friend (teacher's guidance, someone whom we'll listen when we are off track)22. The in-between state (hear about the state of something being both right and wrong and someone being both strong and loving and also angry and stingy - stay with uneasiness and not solidify into a view by meditation and tonglen) - the ultimate last chapter in any book like a revelation: Antidote to doubt and fear: it summarizes my life's journey.Appendices list many of the practices.Enjoy the book and read it as practice specially when you are experiencing a dark night of the soul.

Fear has troubled me all my life and the insights and practices in this book have provided a dozen lifelines for me that allow me to make friends with the fears I experience. I have recommended and given to book to innumerable friends who struggle with fears.

Classic Pema, clear, relatable and profound. She challenges us to open up to our fears, insecurities, and the limits of our strategies to avoid pain. I’ve read it twice now and am sure it will be more.

Amazing book and author, Highly recommend!. Reading this really helped me to cope with anxiety and fearful thinking.

I was really excited, but I'm unable to follow along. The book's thesis does not connect with the what is being said. I don't really know what the main point of the book is. It seems more like an intro to Buddhism. I enjoy reading about Buddhism but that's not why I bought this. There are a lot of structure errors which makes it distracting.

Great lessons from a great Buddhist teacher

Pema Chödrön é sempre profunda e maravilhosa em seus livros. Te convida com gentileza amorosa a encarar seus maiores media. Vale a pena!

My yoga teacher introduced me to Pema Chodron. She is a buddhist nun and her books are inspiring. Thank you so much.

The kind of book you can easily read, comprehend and correlate. The book reflects on the cause and effect of our emotions and behaviour. The teachings might be related to a particular religion but it affects everyone.

Loved this book as the experiences of life tend to overwhelm this book helped me sort those feelings and realize that courage is a choice we make not only in the monumental moments but the mundane as well