Pema Chödrön

Pema Chödrön's perennially best-selling classic on overcoming life's difficulties cuts to the heart of spirituality and personal growth--now in a newly designed 20th-anniversary edition with a new afterword by Pema--makes for a perfect gift and addition to one's spiritual library. How can we live our lives when everything seems to fall apart—when we are continually overcome by fear, anxiety, and pain? The answer, Pema Chödrön suggests, might be just the opposite of what you expect. Here, in her most beloved and acclaimed work, Pema shows that moving toward painful situations and becoming intimate with them can open up our hearts in ways we never before imagined. Drawing from traditional Buddhist wisdom, she offers life-changing tools for transforming suffering and negative patterns into habitual ease and boundless joy.

We always have a choice, Pema Chodron teaches: We can let the circumstances of our lives harden us and make us increasingly resentful and afraid, or we can let them soften us and make us kinder. Here Pema provides the tools to deal with the problems and difficulties that life throws our way. This wisdom is always available to us, she teaches, but we usually block it with habitual patterns rooted in fear. Beyond that fear lies a state of openheartedness and tenderness. This book teaches us how to awaken our basic goodness and connect with others, to accept ourselves and others complete with faults and imperfections, and to stay in the present moment by seeing through the strategies of ego that cause us to resist life as it is.

Start Where You Are is an indispensable handbook for cultivating fearlessness and awakening a compassionate heart. With insight and humor, Pema Chödrön presents down-to-earth guidance on how we can "start where we are"—embracing rather than denying the painful aspects of our lives. Pema Chödrön frames her teachings on compassion around fifty-nine traditional Tibetan Buddhist maxims, or slogans, such as: "Always apply only a joyful state of mind," "Don't seek others' pain as the limbs of your own happiness," and "Always meditate on whatever provokes resentment." Working with these slogans and through the practice of meditation, Start Where You Are shows how we can all develop the courage to work with our inner pain and discover joy, well-being, and confidence.

Best-seller Pema Chödrön draws on the Buddhist concept of shenpa to help us see how certain habits of mind tend to “hook” us and get us stuck in states of anger, blame, self-hatred, and addiction. The good news is that once we start to recognize these patterns, they instantly begin to lose their hold on us and we can begin to change our lives for the better.“This path entails uncovering three basic human qualities,” explains Pema. “They are natural intelligence, natural warmth, and natural openness. Everyone, everywhere, all over the globe, has these qualities and can call on them to help themselves and others.”This book gives us the insights and practices we can immediately put to use in our lives to awaken these essential qualities. In her friendly and encouraging style, Pema Chödrön helps us take a bold leap toward a new way of living—one that will bring about positive transformation for ourselves and for our troubled world.

It's true, as they say, that we can only love others when we first love ourselves and we can only experience real joy when we stop running from pain. The key to understanding these truisms lies in remaining open to life in all circumstances, and here Pema Chödrön shows us how. Because when we embrace the happiness and suffering, intelligence and confusion that are a natural part of life, we can begin to discover a wellspring of courageous love within our hearts.

Comfortable with Uncertainty offers short, stand-alone teachings designed to help us cultivate compassion and awareness amid the challenges of daily living. Gleaned from Pema Chdrn's best-selling books, these passages explore topics of loving-kindness, mindfulness, "nowness," letting go, and working with painful emotions. They also offer meditation instructions for heightening awareness and overcoming habitual patterns that block happiness. By the end of the cycle of teachings, the listener will have completed the basic training for becoming a "warrior-bodhisattva," one who courageously takes up the path of awakening compassion.

Is it possible to live well when the very ground we stand on is shaky? Yes, says everyone's favorite Buddhist nun, it's even possible to live beautifully, compassionately, and happily on shaky ground—and the secret is: the ground is always shaky. Pema shows how using a traditional Buddhist practice called the Three Vows or Three Commitments is a way to relax into profound sanity in the midst of whatever non-sanity is happening around us. Just making these simple aspirations can change the way we look at the world and can provide us with a lifetime of material for spiritual practice. The three commitments are three methods for embracing the chaotic, uncertain, dynamic, challenging nature of our situation as a path to awakening. The first of the commitments, traditionally called the Pratimoksha Vow, is the foundation for personal liberation. This is a commitment to doing our best to not cause harm with our actions or words or thoughts, a commitment to being good to each other. It provides a structure within which we learn to work with our thoughts and emotions, and to refrain from speaking or acting out of confusion. The next step toward being comfortable with groundlessness is a commitment to helping others, traditionally called the Bodhisattva Vow. It is a commitment to dedicate our lives to keeping our hearts and minds open, and nurturing our compassion with the longing to ease the suffering of the world. The last of the three commitments, traditionally known as the Samaya Vow, is a resolve to embrace the world just as it is, without bias; a resolve to see everything we encounter, good and bad, pleasant and painful, as a manifestation of awakened energy. It is a commitment to see everything and anything as a means by which we can awaken further.

When it comes to meditation, Pema Chödrön is widely regarded as one of the world's foremost teachers. Yet she's never offered an introductory course on audio--until now.On How to Meditate with Pema Chödrön, the American-born Tibetan Buddhist nun and bestselling author presents her first complete spoken-word course for those new to meditation.Through traditional insights and her personal guidance, offered in 12 sitting sessions, Pema Chödrön will help you honestly meet and compassionately relate with your mind as you explore:The basics of mindfulness awareness practice, from proper posture to learning to settle to breathing and relaxation- Gentleness, patience, and humor--three ingredients for a well-balanced practice- Shamatha (or calm abiding), the art of stabilizing the mind to remain present with whatever arises- Thoughts and emotions as "sheer delight"--instead of obstacles--in meditation"From my own experience and from listening to many people over the years, I've tried to offer here what I feel are the essential points of meditation," explains Pema Chödrön. Now this beloved voice shares with you her accessible approach--simple and down-to-earth while informed by the highest traditions of Tibetan Buddhism--on How to Meditate with Pema Chödrön.Running time: 5 hours, 45 minutes on 5 audio CDs

Have you ever had an itch and not scratched it? In the Buddhist tradition, this points to a vast that by refraining from our urge to scratch, great peace and happiness is available.On Getting Unstuck , Pema Chödrön introduces a rare Tibetan teaching she received from her teacher, Dzigar Kontrul Rinpoche, and one that has become critical to her practice. Here, she unveils the mystery of an ineffable a pre-emotional feeling that arises in us, brings us discomfort, and causes us to react by escaping the discomfort often with harmful habits.With Getting Unstuck , she offers us a first look at both the itch and the scratch, which Tibetan Buddhists call shenpa. On this full-length recording, Pema Chödrön, bestselling author and beloved American Buddhist nun, shows us how to recognize shenpa, catch it as it appears, and develop a playful, lively curiosity toward it. Join Pema Chödrön to discover more Critical mind―how to recognize this fundamental shenpa, and approach yourself and others with a sense of humor and loving-kindness• Ways to unravel the patterns of self-denigration, and develop the fundamental maitri ―loving-kindness―toward yourself• How to cultivate acceptance of your irritability, insecurities, and other simply human traits• Recognition, Refrain, Relaxing, and the four R's of working with shenpa, and moreAn urge comes up, we succumb to it, and it becomes stronger, teaches Pema Chödrön. We reinforce our cravings, habits, and addictions by giving in to them repeatedly. On Getting Unstuck , Chödrön guides us through this sticky feeling, exploring the moments when we get hooked, and offers us tools for learning to stay with our uneasiness, soften our hearts toward ourselves and others, and live a more peaceful life in the fullness of the present moment.

In her first new book of spiritual teachings in many years, Pema Chödrön offers new wisdom, heartfelt reflections, and the humor and insight that have crowned her as a beloved, respected teacher in these turbulent times. In an increasingly polarized world, this spiritual resource provides us with tools for finding common ground, even when we disagree, in order to build a stronger, broader sense of community. With never-before-told personal stories, simple daily practices, and powerful advice, Pema guides us on our journey to become compassionate beings even in times of hardship.

Over the years, Pema Chödrön's books have offered readers an exciting new way of living: developing fearlessness, generosity, and compassion in all aspects of their lives. In this new book, she invites readers to venture further along the path of the "bodhisattva warrior," explaining in depth how we can awaken the softness of our hearts and develop true confidence amid the challenges of daily living. In No Time to Lose Chödrön reveals the traditional Buddhist teachings that guide her own life: those of The Way of the Bodhisattva ( Bodhicharyavatara), a text written by the eighth-century sage Shantideva. This treasured Buddhist work is remarkably relevant for our times, describing the steps we can take to cultivate courage, caring, and joy—the key to healing ourselves and our troubled world. Chödrön offers us a highly practical and engaging commentary on this essential text, explaining how its profound teachings can be applied to our daily lives. Full of illuminating stories and practical exercises, this fresh and accessible guide shows us that the path of the bodhisattva is open to each and every one of us. Pema Chödrön urges us to embark on this transformative path today, writing, "There is no time to lose—but not to worry, we can do it."

Here is a treasury of 108 short selections from the best-selling books of Pema Chödrön, the beloved Buddhist nun. Designed for on-the-go inspiration, this collection offers teachings on: • becoming fearless • breaking free of destructive patterns • developing patience, kindness, and joy amid our everyday struggles • unlocking our natural warmth, intelligence, and goodness

When her granddaughter was accepted to Naropa University, the celebrated author Pema Chödrön promised that she’d speak at the commencement ceremony. Fail, Fail Again, Fail Better contains the wisdom shared on that day.“What do we do when life doesn’t go the way we hoped?” begins Pema “We say, ‘I’m a failure.” But what if failing wasn’t just “okay,” but the most direct way to becoming a more complete, loving, and fulfilled human being?Through the insights of her own teachers and life journey, Pema Chödrön offers us her heartfelt advice on how to face the unknown—in ourselves and in the world—and how our missteps can open our eyes to see new possibilities and purpose. For Pema’s millions of readers, prospective graduates, or anyone at a life crossroads, this gem of clarity and reassurance is sure to find a welcome place in many a kitchen, office, and backpack.

Life has a way of provoking us with traffic jams and computer malfunctions, with emotionally distant partners and crying children—and before we know it, we're upset. We feel terrible, and then we end up saying and doing things that only make matters worse. But it doesn't have to be that way, says Pema Chödrön. It is possible to relate constructively to the inevitable shocks, losses, and frustrations of life so that we can find true happiness. The key, Pema explains, is not biting the "hook" of our habitual responses. In this recorded weekend retreat, Pema draws on Buddhist teachings from The Way of the Bodhisattva to reveal how we • stay centered in the midst of difficulty • improve stressful relationships • step out of the downward spiral of self-hatred • awaken compassion for ourselves and others3 CDs, 3 hours

As much as we might try to resist, endings happen in every moment—the end of a breath, the end of a day, the end of a relationship, and ultimately the end of life. And accompanying each ending is a beginning, though it may be unclear what the beginning holds. In How We Live Is How We Die, Pema Chödrön shares her wisdom for working with this flow of life—learning to live with ease, joy, and compassion through uncertainty, embracing new beginnings, and ultimately preparing for death with curiosity and openness rather than fear. Poignant for readers of all ages, her teachings on the bardos—a Tibetan term referring to a state of transition, including what happens between this life and the next—reveal their power and relevance at each moment of our lives. She also offers practical methods for transforming life’s most challenging emotions about change and uncertainty into a path of awakening and love. As she teaches, the more freedom we can find in our hearts and minds as we live this life, the more fearlessly we’ll be able to confront death and what lies beyond. In all, Pema provides readers with a master course in living life fully and compassionately in the shadow of death and change.

With war and violence flaring all over the world, many of us are left feeling vulnerable and utterly helpless. In this book Pema Chödrön draws on Buddhist teachings to explore the origins of aggression, hatred, and war, explaining that they lie nowhere but within our own hearts and minds. She goes on to explain that the way in which we as individuals respond to challenges in our everyday lives can either perpetuate a culture of violence or create a new culture of compassion."War and peace begin in the hearts of individuals," declares Pema Chödrön at the opening of this inspiring and accessible book. She goes on to offer practical techniques any of us can use to work for peace in our own lives, at the level of our habits of thought and action. It's never too late, she tells us, to look within and discover a new way of living and transform not only our personal lives but our whole world.

Based on talks given during a one-month meditation retreat at Gampo Abbey, this book contains teachings that were intended to inspire and encourage practitioners to remain wholeheartedly awake to everything that occurs and to use the abundant material of daily life as their primary teacher and guide. The message for the retreat participants—and for the reader as well—is to be with oneself without embarrassment or harshness. This is instruction on how to love oneself and one's world.This Shambhala Pocket Classic is an abridged version of The Wisdom of No Escape.

"This edition was especially created in 2003 for One Spirit by arrangement with shambhala Publications, Inc. This edition xonpyright (c) 2003 by Bookspan."Very nice copy with bookmark.

Pema Ch�dr�n is one of today's leading meditation teachers. With more than one million books sold to date, she draws sold-out crowds across the U.S.and Canada. On Unconditional Confidence she offers two accessible sessions to help anyone find courage in times of challenge and change. Featuring a three-step method for learning to work with uncertainty and fear and an exclusive interview, this liberating program offers practical tools and teachings that explore:True confidence--and how to cultivate the trust that makes it possible- "Shaky tenderness," the first step to developing strong and consistent bravery- Practical steps to "leap into, smile at, and experience all of life"--even when fear is present"For us to be of benefit to each other--in times of challenge or any other--we need to be able to tap into genuine confidence," teaches Pema. Unconditional Confidence offers timeless wisdom and inspiration for developing this courageous skill for whatever life presents us.Runtime: 2 hours, 10 minutes.

A bodhisattva is one who seeks liberation from suffering not only for themselves, but for all beings. If you were a bodhisattva, how would you respond in the face of chaos and difficulty? Is it possible to find calm in the middle of a storm?On Bodhisattva Mind, Pema Chödrön explores timeless insights and practices from the teachings of an eighth-century Buddhist classic, Shantideva's The Way of the Bodhisattva, to reveal a powerful core truth that can move us all closer to the bodhisattva ideal.An Unlikely Voice on Living a Virtuous LifeIn the eyes of his fellow Indian scholars, Shantideva seemed lazy and uninterested in his studies and was greatly resented. So they invited the young slacker to give a prestigious talk―an honor reserved for only the most realized Buddhist masters―hoping to humiliate him and force him to leave the school. Instead, he delivered the timeless jewel known today as The Way of the Bodhisattva.Paradoxically, the key to true liberation, he taught, is in taming the mind. Like a wild elephant, the distracted mind causes emotions to escalate. But if the mind is trained to be steady and open, no matter what comes at you, you will remain solid in the immediacy of your experience.On Bodhisattva Mind, Pema Chödrön leads you through an all-new series of practices inspired by Shantideva to help you "tether" your thoughts and emotions―not as a limiting force, but as a means to restore yourself in the freedom of the present moment.Experience the Spaciousness Available in Every MomentIf we approach the wildness of our mind like a horse whisperer using gentleness, compassion, and kindness, we return to our natural state of expansiveness that is always available to us, says Pema Chödrön. Encompassing a rich span of insights from this gifted teacher, Bodhisattva Mind shows us how to connect with the spacious, clear, and unbiased nature of our minds, and experience the joy of complete freedom.Master recordings for Bodhisattva Mind graciously provided by Great Path Tapes.Runtime: 8 hours, 7 minutes.

"Chodron demonstrates how effective the Buddhist point of view can be in bringing order into disordered lives." Publishers WeeklyPema Chdron,one of the West’s most beloved teachers of Buddhism,makes the Tibetan vajrayana tradition accessible in today’s world. Now three of her most popular teachings are available in one boxed set. Pema Chdrn is a bhikshuni,or Buddhist nun in the Tibetan Vajrayana tradition. Since her ordination in 1974,Ane Pema has conducted workshops,seminars,and meditation re&ndsh;treats in Europe,Australia,and throughout North America. For the first time,enjoy over seven hours of Ani Pema’s trademark humor and a down&ndsh;to&ndsh;earth style in one collectors edition.6 CDs,7 hours

Where will we look when we are afraid? How do we find strength? In what can we place our trust? According to Tibetan Buddhism, the noble aspirations known as "The Four Great Catalysts of Awakening" are waiting to help us cultivate strength and openness in any situation. From Fear to Fearlessness brings you into the company of beloved teacher Pema Chodron to discover these four "immeasurables"-maitri (loving-kindness), compassion, joy, and equanimity. By practicing them, you will begin to experience a supreme steadfastness and peace independent of conditions. Join the bestselling author of When Things Fall Apart to learn: How self-acceptance overcomes the judging mind * Using honesty as a conduit to the parts of ourselves that need kindness and love the most * Maitri: the meditation practice that multiplies love, and more.Runtime: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Meditations to focus and expand on the small 'sweetnesses' to fullfill your life.

Return to the Inner Flow and Freedom of "Unconditional Friendliness" Have you ever found yourself thinking your way into a tangle of fret, frustration, or gloom? And then something small—a few kind words, the sun glancing through the clouds, a warm cup of tea—gave you a welcome pause from all your inner chatter? With Making Friends with Your Mind, that's what Pema Chödrön helps us to do, not by chance but with our full intention: to stop fighting with our thoughts and reopen ourselves to wonder as naturally as we breathe. The Buddha saw that the human experience is full of drama: confusion and conviction, joy and sorrow, success and failure—and that our minds love to amplify all of it. "We decide somebody or something is a certain way," muses Pema Chödrön, "and then that judgment gets frozen and fixated, long after things change. And things always change, right?" In these free-spirited sessions, Ani Pema helps you to bring awareness to those inflexible thoughts and sticking points. Through meditations, daily practices, and the kind of simple pointers that can change our lives, you’ll learn that it is entirely possible to return to the flow and freedom of your experiences—and to find your way each day closer to a place of unconditional friendliness with yourself and with those in need.

Life, Death, and Rebirth—Pema Chödrön on The Tibetan Book of the DeadWhat happens when we die? One of the most treasured resources for understanding this essential question is The Tibetan Book of the Dead. With Embracing the Unknown, Pema Chödrön delves into the teachings of this extraordinary Buddhist text—not only for what it tells us about the journey of the soul beyond this life, but also as a source of profound wisdom for navigating the uncertainty we face each day in "the bardo of this life." In this landmark appearance recorded live at the Omega Institute, Pema explores the universal mystery of life, death, and rebirth, including:• What is the bardo? How any state between an ending and a beginning gives us an unparalleled opportunity for transformation • What is rebirth? Pema takes a deeper look at this concept and how it also occurs in our moment-to-moment experience • Can we let go? Guidance for honoring the difficult emotions of fear, sadness, and grief with an open and curious heart • How can we prepare? Meditation techniques and everyday practices for befriending change, groundlessness, and the unknown • What can we really know about death? Why the teachings of The Book of the Dead are valuable no matter what you believe"Death isn’t just something that happens at the end," teaches Pema. "Life is continually arising, dwelling, ceasing, and arising. It’s a cycle that goes on every day, and continues to go on forever." Featuring insightful Q&A sessions with a live audience, Embracing the Unknown invites you to explore the most daunting and liberating truth of our human experience—guided by Pema Chödrön’s hallmark blend of insight, humor, and fearless love.Runtime: 4 hours, 20 minutes.

How to Befriend Your Most Challenging Emotions and ExperiencesIn challenging times, why do so many of us turn to Pema Chödrön for guidance? Many say that it’s her honest and caring way of communicating the core teachings of Buddhism—not just conceptually, but directly from her heart to ours. In these inspiring sessions, she teaches us how to give that compassion to the person we neglect most often—ourselves. With her, you will explore:What to do when it feels impossible to be kind to ourselves• In challenging relationships and situations, how to let go of our story and see what’s really happening• Cultivating inner comfort and greater kindness toward our bodies• Leaning into frustration, sadness, and fear with a spirit of trust and intimacy• Many other insights and recommendations to befriend the difficult places within usThrough gentle and clear guidance, Coming Closer to Ourselves shows us how, even in the tumult of life’s uncertainties, we can begin with a glimmer of curiosity, move closer into our experiences, and discover a place of welcome and refuge within.Course objectives:Discuss what to do when it feels impossible to be kind to ourselves• Describe how to let go of our story and see what’s really happening within challenging relationships and situations• Explain how to cultivate inner comfort and greater kindness toward our bodies• Discuss how to lean into frustration, sadness, and fear with a spirit of trust and intimacy5 hours, 14 minutes

For more than 800 years, Tibetan Buddhists have used the principles of "lojong (literally, "mind training") to transform difficulties into insights, and conflict into genuine communication. "Awakening Compassion is the first audio retreat on the practice of lojong taught by Pema Chodron herself. With many on-the-spot techniques for dealing with jealousy, anger, and fear, this perennial bestseller--now available on CD--is a unique resource for bringing compassion into the world and stopping the cycle of suffering in our own lives.

The revered Buddhist teacher and author of When Things Fall Apart presents the lojong teachings—pithy slogans for daily contemplation—and the ways in which they can enrich our lives Welcome compassion and fearlessness as your guide, and you’ll live wisely and effectively in good times and bad. But that’s easier said than done. In The Compassion Book , Pema Chödrön introduces a powerful, transformative method to nurture these qualities using a practice called lojong , which has been a primary focus of her teachings and personal practice for many years. For centuries, Tibetan Buddhists have relied on these teachings to awaken the deep goodness that lies within us.The lojong teachings include fifty-nine pithy slogans for daily contemplation, such as “Always maintain only a joyful mind,” “Don’t be swayed by external circumstances,” “Don’t try to be the fastest,” and “Be grateful to everyone.” This book presents each of these slogans and includes Pema’s clear, succinct guidance on how to understand them—and how they can enrich our lives. It also features a forty-five-minute downloadable audio program entitled “Opening the Heart,” in which Pema offers in-depth instruction on tonglen meditation, a powerful practice that anyone can undertake to awaken compassion for oneself and others.

For centuries Tibetan Buddhists have relied on a collection of fifty-nine pith teachings (called lojong in Tibetan) to help them develop wisdom and compassion amid the challenges of daily living. In this book Pema Chödrön introduces these transformative teachings and offers guidance on how to make them part of our everyday lives.The lojong teachings "Always maintain only a joyful mind," "Don't be swayed by external circumstances," "Don't be so predictable," and "Be grateful to everyone." Each slogan is followed by Pema Chödrön's accessible and succinct commentary on how to understand and apply it.This book also features a forty-five-minute audio program entitled "Opening the Heart," in which Pema Chödrön offers in-depth instruction on tonglen meditation, a powerful practice that anyone can undertake to awaken compassion for oneself and others.

You can't get away from suffering. That's the good news, teaches Pema Chödrön. For at the core of your most painful experiences, perhaps more than anywhere else, you will find the seeds of your awakening.On Noble Heart , this beloved American-born Buddhist nun shows you how vulnerability is your greatest spiritual resource on the path through life's difficulties. The noble heart, Ane Pema teaches, is one that sheds its armor, opening itself fearlessly to both heartache and delight. Using special meditations and traditional teachings, Pema Chödrön leads you, step-by-step, toward a full realization of your true strength, the strength that can come only through embracing the pain of your own experience.Noble Heart was recorded as it happened, within the peaceful shrine room of Gampo Abbey, Ane Pema's home on the cliffs of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Structured so that you can create your own retreat at home or at your meditation center, this complete curriculum brings you key teachings about how to recognize and cultivate the soft spot that is the gateway to your own noble heart.Here is the promise of the Four Limitless Ones― maitri (loving-kindness), compassion, joy, and equanimity―and down-to-earth advice about how to draw strength from them every day, in any situation. Here, too, are the treasured teachings about the Six the Buddha's own map of the journey to enlightenment. Learn how to connect with your innately unlimited friendliness, and how it can grow big enough to contain the entire world.With four complete meditations, unique heart teachings, and Ane Pema's trademark humor, Noble Heart invites you to discover for yourself the compassion and wisdom that have established her as a leading voice in American Buddhism. Includes more than nine hours of direct teachings from this revered acharya (master teacher), as well as a 48-page study guide. The four great catalysts of awakening, and how to begin integrating them into your life today• The basic goodness that nothing can take away from you• Authentic Tibetan Buddhist chants for generating gratitude and compassion• Where to find and how to build your inner strength and trust• The maitri meditation that multiplies love• How the Three Noble Principles can enrich everything you do• Why you need your soft spot to awaken spiritually• When "don't know" mind is wiser than all the teachings in the world• The Three Lords of Materialism―and how to diffuse their power• The antidote to aggression• A melting practice you can use to undo isolation and anxietyRuntime: 9 hours, 30 minutes.