Making a Change for Good: A Guide to Compassionate Self-Discipline

by Cheri Huber

According to Zen teacher Cheri Huber, we are conditioned to think that if we were only a little better in some way, we would be Life isn't the way it should be and it's my fault! But, Huber says, no amount of self-punishment will ever make us happy or bring us control over life s problems.
The help we are looking for is really found in self-acceptance and kindness toward ourselves. By simply allowing ourselves to be guided by our innate intelligence and generosity, which are our authentic nature, we are able to be compassionately present to what s happening now. Compassionate self-discipline the will to take positive steps in life is found through nothing other than being present. When we are present and aware, we are not engaged in distracting, addictive behaviors. If we simply cultivate our ability to pay attention and focus on what is here in this moment, our experience can be authentic, awake, honest, and joyful.
The book includes a guided thirty-day program of daily meditation, contemplation, and journaling."

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Buddhism, Psychology, Spirituality, Mental Health, Meditation

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Cheri Huber, author of 20 books, has been a student and teacher of Zen for over 35 years. In 1983, Cheri founded the Mountain View Zen Center, and in 1987 she founded the Zen Monastery Peace Center near Murphys, California. She and the monks at the Monastery conduct workshops and retreats at these centers, other places around the U.S., and internationally.

In 1997, Cheri founded Living Compassion, a nonprofit organization dedicated to peace and service. Living Compassion’s primary work is the Africa Vulnerable Children Project, based in Zambia, where for over a decade they have been working with the people of Kantolomba, beginning the process of turning a slum of 11,000 people into a self-sustaining community.

Cheri also has a weekly Internet based radio show.

Reviews

[Cleo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book in 2007, and could never make it past Day 2 of the 30-day guided retreat in the back. Now, three years later, I've read the book many more times and I'm finishing up my fifth retreat. Tomorrow I will start again at Day 1.

Like much of Zen practice, this book can take a while to sink in, but once it does, it's remarkable how profound it can be. I feel like I can take on any project with the support of this program and its constant reminders that it's not what I do, but how I am with myself, that really matters.

[Liz Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed (and is still changing) the relationships I have with myself so drastically that sometimes I want to send Cheri Huber a letter and tell her that she's incredibly awesome and other times I want to send this book to every person I know and ask them to please read it. It's that good.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's sort of new agey but I like the way this author explains how we treat ourselves and try to sabotage ourselves when trying to make difficult changes in our lives - and she offers framework for a 30-day "retreat" (challenge, with daily guidance) to kickstart change in a new mindset.
best if read after reading another book by her, ie "there is nothing wrong with you", which I highly recommend and will help this book make more sense to a new reader.
I haven't done the 30-day thing but I will start tomorrow.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transformative. I read this book as soon as it came out but was never able to get very far into the 30 day retreat. I just finished my first 30 day retreat and today is the first day of my second. The work is truly life-changing.

[Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book to be rather simplistic. It didn't help that the font used looked like it belonged in a children's book. Although there were a few thoughtful ideas and theories presented, mostly it read like blather. I just couldn't find any epiphanies which would change my life in a meaningful way. Perhaps this book would be more appropriate for someone early in their search for understanding their lives.
Fortunately, the book was short.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Making a change for good is mainly for beginners learning self discovery. The book talks about creative ways to grow as a person and ways to eliminate social conditioning. The book is full of exercises to help guide you on your journey. For a beginner's book, I feel it's a good start.

[JANEY MCGEARY · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not much of a self help book person, but this one (which I read for my yoga teacher training) is different. I would highly recommend it, if there is something you would like to do differently in your life. The font and the pictures may, at first, seem just a little too cute, but give it time

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is just a nice reminder of how to understand and be kind to yourself in order to help you move forward in a more compassionate, effective and joyful manner.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little book introducing the concept of compassionate self-discipline. Includes a 30-Day Guided Retreat with a personal goal to achieve through discipline, daily meditation, plus mini teachings or exercises. I chose to reduce or eliminate my intake of sugary treats. I found this very challenging, and learned a lot about myself and my relationship to discipline

Probably the most important takeaway from this book is to change the story around discipline, and see it as a positive act practiced out of self-love, versus a negative thing that we have to do in order to improve our lives or our health

Highly recommended for anyone looking to bring more discipline into their lives, and are willing to embark on a 30-day challenge with daily meditation, readings and mini exercises

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huber makes some good points about how to make changes in how you approach life.

However, what I found intriguing was to look at it in a bigger picture of pop-psych trends and see that it was written exactly halfway between 1990's emphasis on the "inner child" and the 2010's constant talk of "mindfulness."

[Ridge Gonzales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick read. Talks a lot about conditioning your mind, sub-personalities, and intentional living. I enjoyed the distinction between self discipline and self improvement as that was something I’ve been wondering for myself. Included a 30-day self-discipline guide. 3.5/5 stars because it wasn’t really anything special.

[Beryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! Brief bit hits my spots perfectly. Good exercises at the end.

[Anna Becker · Rating 3 out of 5]

"When we look out at the world, we do not see the world as it is, we see the world as we are. The only thing we ever experience is ourselves." - Cheri Huber, Making a Change for Good

[Henry]

Same publisher as What makes you not a Buddhist, Shambhala

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept, but the "retreat" portion focuses a lot on writing. So not very accessible for people like me, but I can understand the message.

[Jon Stout · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheri Huber’s book on Buddhist meditation is helpful on a very human level. Even though I have previously voiced reservations about meditation, namely that sometimes I want to listen to and cultivate my inner narrative rather than letting it go, still Huber’s book helps me when I do meditate and, more importantly, in the rest of my daily life.

One of the things that Huber does is to draw attention to the negative voice that occurs (at least in my life) when I think of an awkward or painful moment, or of an action that I regret. This is a reflexive voice that says, “I hate you,” where it is unclear if the voice is directed at myself or at the universe. Huber identifies this voice as “egocentric karmic conditioning” and urges detaching from it to understand where it is coming from, and also attempting to be conscious of the situation from which it arose, with openness and compassion.

I find this helpful. Huber makes points that sometimes are not of interest to me, but I can adapt much of what she says to my purposes, with a view to developing my own meditative practice in a way that is congenial to me personally.

[Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, straight-forward read - good perspective (Zen Buddhism) that talks about social conditioning and how to move beyond it. I wish I could remember where the book was originally mentioned - and what prompted me to request it from the library - so I could see if it lived up to that context. The 30 day practice was interesting; other reviews have noted that it need to be repeated before it really sinks in.

[Farrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book for a westerner to start practicing the principles of Zen and understanding the self and how it relates to the world around us. I am going to start the 30 Day retreat in a few days. I like the way it is guided meditation and journaling to bring about a change. Often we want change to happen quickly but don't know how to bring it about and quickly just give up. This book offers a great method.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just started reading this book. It is a really easy and quick read, but it also takes time to do the activities and PRACTICE. Huber's books are based in the Zen philosophy. She also runs meditation retreats which I am very interested in attending in the future. I will let you know what we learned when the Diva's have finished this project.

[Nikki Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second time through Making a Change for Good, and it's one of the better personal growth books out there. It explores the way that self-punishment can be an effective way to NOT change, and how to bring compassionate self-discipline to yourself. It has a 30 day program at the end that I haven't found helpful yet, but maybe that's still my "conditioned mind" talking.

[J Crossley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheri Huber offers a different outlook for making changes in your life. Instead of looking at yourself as bad and using that to drive change, an alternative is to realize the conditioned voices in your head are pulling you in different direction. Once you separate yourself from these voices, you can then drive change from your authentic self.

[Luana Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and re-read the book many times. I have never completed the 30 days in a row, but I did all of the daily exercises at least once, and I think I can honestly say that this book helped me change my mind into a more compassionate one. It is really a very simple book, but for me there lies it's beauty. Making such a profound thing simple is truly a work of art.

[Lilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

My problem is that I treated this book like a workout video- I felt like if you WATCH it you deserve the same results as if you DO it. I liked another book I read by Huber. This is a cute, quick read, but I'm not down with the interactive journal books, I never do them.

[Jaclyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest, I couldn't get past the fact that the wording was a little cheesy *and* it was entirely handwritten. It looks like others have gotten something useful out of it, but I didn't find it very helpful.

[Viv JM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book speaks a lot of truth. Yes, the "handwritten" font is a bit quirky, but I don't think that detracts from the message. Haven't done the 30 day retreat yet, but will add to review when I do.

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of a primer for those not steeped in knowledge of Buddhism but in need of a how-to guide right now to free themselves of some demons. Hinges on the fundamental concept of needing to treat oneself with love before change can come.

[Ariane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forgot to log this one! I just read this, and it was another good addition to the Cheri Huber library. My favourite is still "There is nothing wrong with you", but this was a decent follow up with more practical steps on how to make change.

[Dearwassily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though written in a simplistic, child-like way (literally: in large handwriting font), a lot of the points presented gave me a lot to think about and hopefully will prove to be useful in combatting depression.

[Anna Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit cheesy. printed in a "handwritten" font. but it has some good insight. after reading "what the buddha taught" by wapola rahula this is a lot more lighthearted and has a DASH OF HUMOUR.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It helped me have a better outlook and I enjoyed reading it.