Reviews

Tea and Cake with Demons: A Buddhist Guide to Feeling Worthy by Adreanna Limbach

erine's review

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4.0

A book full of gentle reminders about ways to think and be in the world. Several moments offered added depth or context, and at the end of each section there were practical suggestions for applying the ideas to your own life.

Moments that stood out:
“I consider holding my seat on the cushion to be a training ground for learning to take up space in a way that is gracious and gentle, without the aftertaste of bravado or self-protection.”

“One moment I’m feeling good, and the next moment my doubt comes creeping out from behind a corner with a ‘70s porn mustache and an open trench coat to remind me of how self-conscious I should be.”

“Of course, there’s no guarantee, ever, that choosing what is popular will keep you safe or that choosing what is right will make you heard.”

“Unchecked growth of an organism destroys the ecosystem that it inhabits. It becomes a cancer to its host. Gain and growth without loss and decay are simply unsustainable. This is a natural system of checks and balances.“ (See: [b:Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times|52623750|Wintering The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times|Katherine May|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1629894278l/52623750._SY75_.jpg|70486056] by Katherine May)

“We are all deeply significant, and not at all special. We are all profoundly valuable, whole, complete, and sufficient, and there is nothing unique about this.”

“We’re swimming in stories, both societal and personal, and we’re all living under the influence of our storytelling minds.“

“Never underestimate the human imperative to feel safe. We can spend an unexamined lifetime seeking out and protecting what gives us this feeling even if it isn’t always in our best interest. This, too, is karma, a deeply ingrained impulse that is executed in habitual ways.”

She references Simon Sinek in such a way that vividly recalled my experience with his book [b:Find Your Why: A Practical Guide to Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team|29496432|Find Your Why A Practical Guide to Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team|Simon Sinek|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1460908316l/29496432._SY75_.jpg|49782500].

It was also a clash of two books when I was in the midst of this and simultaneously was reading about Buddha's journey in [b:Land of the Dead: Lessons from the Underworld on Storytelling and Living|60316976|Land of the Dead Lessons from the Underworld on Storytelling and Living|Brian McDonald|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1652111186l/60316976._SX50_.jpg|95090779].

redpineapple's review

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4.0

Live today!!

Adreanna Limbach brings the four noble truths and the eightfold path to life in this book. I have read about these topics so many times, yet an exact understanding has eluded me. Adreanna talks about these topics in simple words as well as in adequate detail. The details are what brought an extra dimension to understanding these topics. I will revisit the sections of this book as and when I need guidance on a particular topic.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley.

yvejr's review

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Too many books to read right now. This seemed like nice intro to Buddhism. I didn’t see much about worthiness here. I might return to this book in the future but I’m not scrambling to read it. 

conniek07's review

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challenging hopeful informative reflective slow-paced

4.5

baileyarnholz's review

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informative inspiring slow-paced

2.0

zen_ozze's review

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5.0

Excellent, approachable Buddhist teachings.

kseaward's review

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informative

5.0

innowen's review

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5.0

Anxiety, doubt, and a fear of being unworthy are common themes in our lives. These are the demons being looked at in Adreanna Limbach’s book, Tea and Cake with Demons. Limbach is a buddhist and this book takes a look through the Buddhist tenants from the point of view of self worth. I view this book as both a reference guide and a workbook to help you understand where the demons come from and how to work with them to gain a broader sense of connection and how we can overcome their adversity.

Limbach frames the book through the lens of buddhism: each of the four noble truths, and the eightfold path, gets explained in general terms and then gets applied to the idea of self worthiness. Each truth and path are described in easy-to-understand, modern terms. This way you get a feel to really apply the works to yourself. Each chapter then ends with a practical tip to use the material in your life.

I liked her voice. Limbach uses her own personality and life experiences to remind the reader that we are not alone and everyone experiences doubt in their own lives. Even the enlightened ones. This book is a wonderful companion and guide for creatives, and anyone experiencing their own dark night of self-doubt. Reading Tea and Cake with Demons will broaden your horizon, doing the techniques Limbach explores will help you plant roots and find your seat so that you can continue doing the work you love to do.

asia88's review

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4.0

I would recommend this book to people who are interested to learn about about Buddhism. It's easy to read and understand.

amymenegay's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0