Product Description

Tsultrim Allione brings an eleventh-century Tibetan woman's practice to the West for the first time with FEEDING YOUR DEMONS, an accessible and effective approach for dealing with negative emotions, fears, illness, and self-defeating patterns. Allione-one of only a few female Buddhist leaders in this country and comparable in American religious life to Pema Chodron-bridges this ancient Eastern practice with today's Western psyche. She explains that if we fight our demons, they only grow stronger. But if we feed them, nurture them, we can free ourselves from the battle. Through the clearly articulated practice outlined in FEEDING YOUR DEMONS, we can learn to overcome any obstacle and achieve freedom and inner peace.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6446 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-08
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

About the Author
Tsultrim Allione was one of the first Western women to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun. She is considered an authority in the world of American religious life, recognized as an emanation of Machig Labdrön by the resident Lama at Zangri Khangmar, and chapters have been written about her in several books. Allione is the founder and director of Tara Mandala, a retreat center in Colorado and the author of the classic Women of Wisdom.

Customer Reviews

Eye-Opening
Reviewed by Vicky Burkholder
on 07/08/2008

Tsultrim Allione was one of the first Western women to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun. In this book, she presents an eleventh-century woman's wisdom to non-Buddhists in simple, easy to understand language that anyone can follow.

According to Tsultrim, we can all overcome whatever demons are causing chaos in our lives, whether they be weight, illness, anger, or whatever. By following her five steps, we can supposedly overcome these problems.

In the first part of the book, we are given an overview of Tultrim's life - her journeys into spiritualism, her marriages and divorces, her children, her tragedies and her triumphs. It is an interesting biography, if somewhat brief. But this book isn't supposed to be a biography - and it's not completely. The next section delineates the five-step program to overcoming whatever ails you. It is clearly written and easily understood.

The third part of the book deals with specific types of demons. Each demon - illness, fear, addiction, abuse, etc. - comes with case studies allowing you to read about people who faced these problems and overcame them. Each one is different, and interesting to read. The last section of the book gives you information on how to deepen your work.

In the grand publishing segment that encompasses self-help books, this is one of the more interesting ones I've read. It is brief, to the point, easy to understand, easy to follow and deals with problems that plague almost all of us. Does it work? I'll have to get back to you on that. But I can't see where there's any harm in trying. If nothing else, you've spent some time meditating and that's always a good thing. If you're into spiritualism, Buddhism, or any of the mediating practices, definitely pick this one up. If you're just into reading about obscure spiritual readers, this would be a good buy.

4.5 Books

recommended for everyone!
I'm 51 and found it very useful. I also bought it for a 24 yr old friend of mine and she thought it was wonderful too! I highly recommend it.

Method for coping with inner conflict...

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com, 5/08
In her book, Feeding Your Demons,with much authority and personal experience, Tsultrim Allione, shares ancient wisdom from the Buddhists. Allione defines demons not as a Gargoyle type spirit but as an obstacle or hindrance that holds us back from living a full life. Depression, anxiety, illnesses are a few of the obstacles she calls demons. She adapts Buddhist methods into a simple 5-step process.
1. Find the demon.
2. Personify the demon and ask what it needs.
3. Imagine yourself as the demon.
4. Feed the demon and meet the ally.
5. Rest in awareness.
I understand the principles behind the 5-step concept even if I do not agree with it. My liberation comes from above. However, Allione takes a mysterious subject and simplifies it. All in all, Feeding Your Demons is an unique concept. Its basis is ancient, but practiced by many New Agers.