The Intelligent Heart book cover

The Intelligent Heart by Dzigar Kongtrül Summary

The Intelligent Heart
Dzigar Kongtrül
4.57 (99 Reviews)
Self-growth
Mindfulness
Philosophy
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
FAQs

Overview of The Intelligent Heart

Discover the ancient Tibetan wisdom of "lojong" reimagined for modern life. Endorsed by Buddhist luminaries like Pema Chodron, this guide transforms suffering into compassion through the revolutionary "tonglen" practice. Can an intelligent heart truly change how we experience life's challenges?

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Key takeaways

1

When Your Greatest Enemy Lives Inside Your Own Mind

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A Tibetan master once asked his students a simple question: "What causes all your suffering?" The answers came quickly-difficult relationships, financial stress, health problems, past traumas. He listened patiently, then offered a different perspective that changed everything. Every ounce of misery, every moment of anxiety, every flash of anger traces back to a single source: the relentless habit of putting yourself first. Not in the healthy sense of self-care, but in the exhausting, never-ending project of self-protection, self-promotion, and self-concern. This insight forms the foundation of lojong, an ancient Tibetan practice that flips our usual approach to happiness completely upside down. Instead of asking "What can I get?" it asks "What can I give?" Instead of protecting the self, it suggests exchanging it for something infinitely larger.

2

The Revolutionary Practice of Tonglen

3

The Intelligent Heart Sees Through Solid Appearances

4

From Victim to Warrior: Transforming Adversity

5

The Daily Revolution: Making Practice Real

6

The Five Strengths: Your Framework for Transformation

7

Living as Love Itself: The Ultimate Exchange

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@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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254
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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
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@Jaded_Falcon
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
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12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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96
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

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@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

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