Pema Chödrön
Deirdre Blomfield-Brown
1936-present • American
BuddhismTibetan Buddhism
American Tibetan Buddhist nun and author. Resident teacher at Gampo Abbey, known for accessible teachings on working with difficult emotions.
Key Works
- When Things Fall Apart
- The Places That Scare You
- Start Where You Are
115
quotes in library
Quotes by Pema Chödrön
115 quotes“Compassion is not religion. It is human business. It is not luxury. It is essential for our peace.”
compassionThe Places That Scare You
“Things end. Things begin. They do not fall apart, then come together.”
impermanenceWhen Things Fall Apart
“To stay open and curious in the face of what frightens us is the gateway to courage.”
courageThe Places That Scare You
“You can use the difficult places of your life as the teacher.”
teachingWhen Things Fall Apart
“Do not lose heart. We were made for these times.”
courageWelcoming the Unwelcome
“You are precisely as you should be. Stop trying to be someone else.”
acceptanceStart Where You Are
“Practice is about learning to relax with our edges.”
practiceStart Where You Are
“Lojong slogans are the spiritual gym for our heart and mind.”
lojongStart Where You Are
“Drive all blames into oneself.”
responsibilityStart Where You Are
“What we don't acknowledge in ourselves, we will hate in others.”
projectionThe Places That Scare You
“Real strength has to do with helping others.”
serviceThe Places That Scare You
“Letting go takes a lot of courage sometimes.”
letting-goWhen Things Fall Apart
“Even our most difficult emotions are workable, even welcome.”
workabilityWelcoming the Unwelcome
“Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth.”
fearWhen Things Fall Apart
“You don't get rid of fear by avoiding it. You get rid of it by sitting still and saying hello.”
fearWhen Things Fall Apart
“Whatever happens, just relax. Be open. Touch the rawness.”
presenceWhen Things Fall Apart
“Bodhichitta exists on two levels. Conventional and ultimate. Both are wisdom.”
bodhichittaThe Places That Scare You
“To cultivate basic sanity is the work of a lifetime.”
practiceWhen Things Fall Apart
“Choose the path with the most heart.”
heartThe Places That Scare You
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