Chodron, an American born, 88 year old Tibetan Buddhist monk, is the author of several dozen books about meditation, mindfulness, and life.  I have found her work to be down-to-earth, clearly written, understandable, and practically useful.  This slim volume was part of the Cambridge Public Library’s December second floor display entitled “Short Books for Short Days”.

The book’s message is wonderful.  It urges one to rise above old habits and narratives that result in one being ‘hooked’ or ‘triggered’ by events or comments, most commonly in conversation with others.  These events immediately trigger old, deeply felt fears, anger, or other negative emotions leading to behaviors that are usually regretted after the fact.  There are a number of Buddhist terms for these phenomena, but the important content of the book is to suggest a way beyond these old habits.

Chodron’s advice is similar to Tara Brach’s mnemonic “RAIN” in which Brac suggests that one should Recognize the negative emotion; Allow it in, don’t push it away or bury it; Interrogate it to understand its origin and impact; Nudge it aside rather than living with it and allowing it to dominate your reactions.  Similarly, Chodron urges that one not push the negative feelings away but confront them and deal with them by pausing, taking three deep breaths, and then moving on.

Sometimes the simpler the advice the more useful, and Chodron, as usual, provides a simple, practical, and manageable set of actions to deal with the inevitable triggers of everyday life in these times.  If you find yourself these days depressed or angry about the events in the world, either global or personal, you could do a lot worse than reading Chodron’s book and trying her suggested approach.  This book like so many books about mindfulness and meditation seems to say the same thing over and over, but she writes well and I didn’t mind the repetition. Sometimes I need to be hit over the head before something sinks in.

Pause; take three deep breaths; respond don’t react.  Solid advice for all of us.