The Places that Scare You
by  Pema Chodron


I had the pleasure of reading an amazing book by the American Buddhist Pema Chodron - a beautiful and delicately written piece that touches on the varied aspects of humanity. Chodron actively demonstrates the purest form of buddhism with concerns to habitual patterns and life and allows the reader to explore alternative ways of pursuing a different path.


Below is an exert I found particularly interesting


DISCIPLINES OF MIND TRAINING


1. Always abide by three basic principles.
2. Change your attitude, but remain natural.
3. Don't talk about injured limbs.
4. Don't ponder others.
5. Work with the greatest defilements first.
6. Abandon any hope of fruition.
7. Abandon poisonous food.
8. Don't be so predictable.
9. Don't malign others.
10. Don't wait in ambush.
11. Don't bring things to a painful point.
12. Don't transfer the ox's load to the cow.
13. Don't try to be the fastest.
14. Don't act with a twist.
15. Don't make gods into demons.
16. Don't seek others' pain as the limbs of your own happiness.


These discipline are particularly useful when reiterated through meditation