When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön

Description from publisher's website:

The beautiful practicality of her teaching has made Pema 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

I read this book this slowly, pausing to absorb each chapter. I'm on the waiting list for the audio cassette version and will comment further after hearing it.