Pema Chodron
Pema Chodron
Pema Chödrönis an American, Tibetan Buddhist. She is an ordained nun, acharya and disciple of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Chodron has written several books and is the director of the Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia, Canada...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionClergyman
Date of Birth14 July 1936
CountryUnited States of America
acceptance simple confusion
Meditation takes us just as we are, with our confusion and our sanity. This complete acceptance of ourselves as we are is called maitri, or unconditional friendliness, a simple, direct relationship with the way we are.
trying patterns alive
There is no cultivation of patience when your pattern is to just try to seek harmony and smooth everything out. Patience implies willingness to be alive rather than trying to seek harmony.
safety
Patience is not learned in safety.
meditation awake our-lives
We don’t sit in meditation to become good meditators. We sit in meditation so that we’ll be more awake in our lives.
roots suffering matter
The root of suffering is resisting the certainty that no matter what the circumstances, uncertainty is all we truly have.
mistake compassion self
At least once a year, I imagine that I am about to die. Looking back as truthfully as I can at my entire life, I give full attention to the things I wish hadn’t occurred. Recognizing these mistakes honestly but without self-recrimination, I try to rejoice in the innate wisdom that allows me to see so bravely, and I feel compassion for how I so frequently messed up. Then I can go forward. The future is wide open, and what I do with it is up to me.
sleep wake-up wakes-you
Life's work is to wake up, to let the things that enter your life wake you up rather than put you to sleep.
kindness honesty mean
Honesty without kindness, humor, and goodheartedness can be just mean.
freedom pain practice
Discomfort of any kind becomes the basis for practice. We breathe in knowing our pain is shared.
freedom doors inspire
When you open the door and invite in all sentient beings as your guests, you have to drop your agenda.
moving giving meditation
Sitting meditation gives us a way to move closer to our thoughts and emotions and to get in touch with our bodies.
meaningful taken cutting
Remind yourself, in whatever way is personally meaningful, that it is not in your best interest to reinforce thoughts and feelings of unworthiness. Even if you've already taken the bait and feel the familiar pull of self-denigration, marshal your intelligence, courage, and humor in order to turn the tide. Ask yourself: Do I want to strengthen what I'm feeling now? Do I want to cut myself off from my basic goodness? Remind yourself that your fundamental nature is unconditionally open and free.
life life-is glorious
Life is glorious, but life is also wretched. It is both...Life is glorious, but life is also wretched. It is both.
hurt pain heart
If it's painful, you become willing not just to endure it but also to let it awaken your heart and soften you. You learn to embrace it.