The beautiful practicality of her teaching has made Pema Chödrön one of the most beloved of contemporary American spiritual authors among Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. A collection of talks she gave between 1987 and 1994, the book is a treasury of wisdom for going on living when we are overcome by pain and difficulties. Chödrön discusses:

· Using painful emotions to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and courage

· Communicating so as to encourage others to open up rather than shut down

· Practices for reversing habitual patterns

· Methods for working with chaotic situations

· Ways for creating effective social action