Awakening Compassion

Meditation Practices for Difficult Times

By: Pema Chödrön

Narrated by: Pema Chodron

Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

For more than 800 years, Tibetan Buddhists have used the principles of lojong (literally, "mind training") to transform difficulties into insights, and conflict into genuine communication. Lojong practice is grounded in a special meditation technique and complemented by 59 written maxims - a treasury of practical wisdom that inspires everyday awareness. Awakening Compassion is the first audio retreat on the practice of lojong taught by Pema Chödrön, the American-born Tibetan Buddhist nun and best-selling author. With an informal teaching style, both playful and insightful, Pema uses restful meditations in teaching the lojong way for turning painful emotions into the stepping stones to wisdom, compassion, and fearlessness.

©1995 Pema Chö 24 6

Hard to hear

The recording is a bit low in quality, so it's hard to hear and is a bit muffled compared to other sounds true recordings

Timeless Wisdom Taught Pema Chodorn

Pema just has a way of keeping your attention focused on her teachings. Her soft, inviting voice helps you absorb and retain the information taught. Learning the Tonglen technique is something I will cherish for a lifetime and use in my daily practice.

When Things Get Tough, Listen to Pema

Pema gives me help and comfort when I need it most. During some of my difficult times recently I’ve been using her slogans and practice. I’m amazed how it has helped. Standing in line, feeling horribly uncomfortable; breathing in the uncomfortableness and breathing out fresh openness. The woman in front of me turned around and complimented me on the flowers I was purchasing.
Thanks to Pema I had a wonderful exchange with the woman. That’s a minor situation in which Pema’s teachings have helped.
SADHU SADHU SADHU

Pema is the One

For many years I have been "finding myself" or at least trying to get a glimpse. I have read heard many authors and writers and Pema , at this point , tops them all. Her grace, humor and life stories touch me in my many ways. When I find the world closing in and my Spirit fading out, she brings me back to center.

Valuable teachings!

I love her description of Ego in one talk. These lojong teachings are powerful, and pema teaches them really well.

Need to listen to her

Listening to Pema is so much better than reading her. This is such a powerful book.

Pema Is A Hidden Treasure

Pema Chodron is a true hidden treasure living right here on Canada's East Coast. She brings the Buddhist teachings to life with her colorful antics that are based on her years of experiences with the practices.

I would also say to those pondering the purchase of her audio selections, that you can't go wrong in choosing any one of her precious recordings. However, you will be missing out if you don't listen to them all.

Awakening My Own Compassion

For the past three years, I have noticed that my circle of compassion (as Pema Chodron calls it) has grown smaller and smaller, until even myself wasn't included in it. The dwindling of this circle has gone unnoticed and it wasn't until after listening to a few chapters of this audio program that such a happening was made apparent to me. I thought myself to be such a jerk, both to others and myself, and now I'm realizing that such an attitude is part of the spiritual warrior's path. The journey to the Self is variegated and deeply personal. Therefore, there is no method that can be used; there are only techniques that work and those that do not. This audio program primarily uses two techniques: Tonglen and Lojong. Both of these have proved, to me, quite helpful in this journey. I can now say that, after finishing this program and practicing Tonglen for 10 minutes every night for a week, I don't feel quite so much like a jerk. I still feel like a worm, but the practice encourages me to feel my worm-ness and get in touch with what that feels like, and to realize that other people feel this worm-ness too. And by not running away from this feeling and instead breathing it in, getting to know it fully, compassion will grow: for myself and for other people. I bought this book 7 years ago and forgot all the teachings when things were going really well. Now I'm back in the same position before I bought the book, haha. This time, I'll take it slowly, one moment at a time, one breath at a time.

Very Inspiring

I really enjoyed listening to her and the teachings. Tonglen is really "the" practice that I think every human being shall be made aware of...Pema for me, is undoubtfully "the" teacher...Thank you Pema for choosing to share your wisdom with us.

A Room With a View

I'm on my fifth listen and still hearing new pieces. Pema says it like it is, and has been long before we arrived on the scene.