Pema Chodron Quotes

Sometimes people’s spiritual ideas become fixed and they use them against those who don’t share their beliefs – in effect, becoming fundamentalist. It’s very dangerous – the finger of righteous indignation pointing at someone who is identified as bad or wrong.

Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.

All situations teach you, and often it’s the tough ones that teach you best.

Rejoicing in the good fortune of others is a practice that can help us when we feel emotionally shut down and unable to connect with others. Rejoicing generates good will.

The most difficult times for many of us are the ones we give ourselves.

Difficult things provoke all your irritations and bring your habitual patterns to the surface. And that becomes the moment of truth. You have the choice to launch into your lousy habitual patterns, or to stay with the rawness and discomfort of the situation and let it transform you.

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.

I equate ego with trying to figure everything out instead of going with the flow. That closes your heart and your mind to the person or situation that’s right in front of you, and you miss so much.

If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher.

Be kinder to yourself. And then let your kindness flood the world.

As Buddhism moved from one culture to another, it always adapted.

Most spiritual experiences begin with suffering. They begin with groundlessness. They begin when the rug has been pulled out from under us.

Feel the feelings and drop the story.

You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.

This moving away from comfort and security, this stepping out into what is unknown, uncharted and shaky – that’s called liberation.

When we are willing to stay even a moment with uncomfortable energy, we gradually learn not to fear it.

All you need to know is that the future is wide open and you are about to create it by what you do.