The Way of the Bodhisattva has long been treasured as an indispensable guide to enlightened living, offering a window into the greatest potential within us all. Written in the eighth century by the scholar and saint Shantideva, it presents a comprehensive view of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition's highest ideal--to commit oneself to the life of a bodhisattva warrior, a person who is wholeheartedly dedicated to the freedom and common good of all beings. And it has inspired many of the tradition's greatest teachers, providing a remarkable source of insight on the means by which we may heal ourselves and our troubled world. These essential teachings present the core of the Buddhist path, from cultivating deep-seated confidence to infusing one's life with selflessness, joyfulness, kindness, and compassion. Pema Chodron here invites you to journey more deeply into this liberating way of life, presenting Shantideva's text verse-by-verse and offering both illuminating stories and practical exercises to enrich the text and bring its timeless teachings to life in our world today.

Previously published under the title No Time to Lose.

Becoming Bodhisattvas: A Guidebook for Compassionate Action, Pema Chodron, Shambhala Publications, Paperback, 408 pp, $22.95

Pema Chodron is an American Buddhist nun in the lineage of the Tibetan meditation master Chogyam Trungpa. She is resident teacher at Gampo Abbey in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery for Westerners in North America. She is the author of many books and audiobooks, including the best-selling When Things Fall Apart and The Places That Scare You.

CONTENTS: Becoming Bodhisattvas
People Like Us Can Make a Difference	ix
Developing a Clear Intention	1
Preparing the Ground	25
Transcending Hesitation	53
Using Our Intelligence	75
Taming the Mind	103
The Three Disciplines	129
Working With Anger	159
Specific Situations for Practicing Patience	189
Enthusiasm	225
Heartbreak with Samsara	269
Dissolving the Barriers	303
Dedication	341
Acknowledgments	363
Appendix: Study Guidelines	365
Glossary	367
Bibliography	371
Index	375