“ It's helpful to always remind yourself that meditation is about opening and relaxing withwhatever arises, without picking and choosing. Pema Chödrön
“ In his talk, Suzuki Roshi says that meditation and the whole process of finding your own true nature is one continuous mistake, and that rather than that being a reason for depression or discouragemen… Pema Chödrön
“ This meditation is called nontheistic, which doesn't have anything to do with believing in God or not believing in God, but means that nobody but yourself can tell you what to accept and what to rejec… Pema Chödrön
“ Even though there are so many teachings, so many meditations, so many instructions, the basic point of it all is just to learn to be extremely honest and also wholehearted about what exists in your mi… Pema Chödrön
“ Meditation practice isn’t about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better. Pema Chödrön
“ In sitting meditation, we train in mindfulness and unconditional friendliness: in being steadfast with our bodies, our emotions, our thoughts. Pema Chödrön
“ Many religions have meditations on death to let it penetrate our thick skulls that life doesn’t last forever. Pema Chödrön
“ The calligraphy reads, “Pointing directly at your own heart, you find Buddha.” Listening to talks about the dharma, or the teachings of Buddha, or practicing meditation is nothing other than studying… Pema Chödrön
“ 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 wi… Pema Chödrön
“ Meditation practice is not about later, when you get it all together and you’re this person you really respect. Pema Chödrön
“ One evening Milarepa returned to his cave after gathering firewood, only to find it filled with demons. They were cooking his food, reading his books, sleeping in his bed. They had taken over the join… Pema Chödrön
“ Throughout my life, until this very moment, whatever virtue I have accomplished, including any benefit that may come from this book, I dedicate to the welfare of all beings.May the roots of suffering… Pema Chödrön
“ WE ALREADY HAVE everything we need. There is no need for self-improvement. All these trips that we lay on ourselves—the heavy-duty fearing that we’re bad and hoping that we’re good, the identities tha… Pema Chödrön
“ Authentic joy is not a euphoric state or a feeling of being high. Rather, it is a state of appreciation that allows us to participate fully in our lives. We train in rejoicing in the good fortune of s… Pema Chödrön
“ There isn’t any hell or heaven except for how we relate to our world. Hell is just resistance to life. Pema Chödrön
“ If your mind is expansive and unfettered, you will find yourself in a more accommodating world, a place that's endlessly interesting and alive. That quality isn't inherent in the place but in your sta… Pema Chödrön
