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
spiritual self meditation-practice
Meditation is not a matter of trying to achieve ecstasy, spiritual bliss, or tranquillity, nor is it attempting to become a better person. It is simply the creation of a space in which we are able to expose and undo our neurotic games, our self-deceptions, our hidden fears and hopes.
benefits realizing
At some point, we realize that what we do for ourselves benefits others, and what we do for others benefits us.
country strong buddhism
As Buddhism moved to the West, one of the big characteristics was the strong place of women. That didn't exist in the countries of origin. It's just a sign of our culture.
real ego opinion
All ego really is, is our opinions, which we take to be solid, real, and the absolute truth about how things are.
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.