Getting Unstuck

Breaking Your Habitual Patterns and Encountering Naked Reality

By: Pema Chödrön

Narrated by: Pema Chodron

Length: 3 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Have you ever had an itch, and not scratched it? In the Buddhist tradition, this points to a vast paradox: that by refraining from our urge to "scratch", great peace and happiness is available. On Getting Unstuck, Pema Chodron introduces a rare Tibetan teaching she received from her teacher, Dzigar Kontrul Rinpoche, and one that has become critical to her practice. Here, she unveils the mystery of an ineffable quality; a "pre-emotional" feeling that arises in us, brings us discomfort, and causes us to react by escaping the discomfort, often with harmful habits. With Getting Unstuck, she offers us a first look at "both the itch and the scratch": what Tibetan Buddhists call shenpa.

On this new, full-length recording, Pema Chodron, best-selling author and beloved American Buddhist nun, shows us how to recognize shenpa, catch it as it appears, and develop a playful, lively curiosity toward it. Join Pema Chodron to discover more about:

Critical mind: how to recognize this fundamental shenpa, and approach yourself and others with a sense of humor and loving-kindness

Ways to unravel the patterns of self-denigration, and develop the fundamental maitri, loving-kindness, toward yourself

How to cultivate acceptance of your irritability, insecurities, and other simply human traits

Recognition, Refrain, Relaxing, and Resolve: the four R's of working with shenpa, and more

An urge comes up, we succumb to it, and it becomes stronger, teaches Pema Chodron. We reinforce our cravings, habits, and addictions by giving into them repeatedly. On Getting Unstuck, Chodron guides us through this "sticky feeling", exploring the moments when we get hooked, and offers us tools for learning to stay with our uneasiness, soften our hearts toward ourselves and others, and live a more peaceful life in the fullness of the present moment.

©2005 Pema Chodron (P)2005 Sounds True

Critic reviews

"Chodron demonstrates how effective the Buddhist point of view can be in bringing order into disordered lives." (Publishers Weekly)

A clear teaching on how thoughts get us 'hooked'

Pema's style is frank and refreshing. I would recommend listening through twice. This recording may be beneficial to listen to while taking walks or doing chores, in order to establish its message in everyday activities.

Amazing

What a gift. One of the most helpful programs I've ever listened to. Amazing teacher and teachings.

Loved it.

I don't write many audiobook reviews and I definitely haven't found any that I was disappointed when it was over, but this is one. Loved her message, her delivery and her humor. Will definitely look for more from her!

Unbelievably useful

I've done a lot of spiritual work and work around addiction over 20 years. I find this to be one of the most out right useful books I have come across. I'm not quite sure that it's a book because it is a live recording. I've read books by Pima Chodron in the past, but had no idea how funny and light she is as a speaker, and this is so important because much of her message is in the inflection. Hearing interaction with the live audience is helpful as well. She has a beautiful agile and tough mind and spirit. I will be reviewing her concept of Shempa (hooked, addiction) in this recording and I'll be watching her YouTube videos for a long time.

Beautiful, thoughtful and hopeful

Teaching to gently and intentionally move you forward. Insightful, practical guide to seeing the thoughts that keep you stuck and how to free your thoughts.

Profoundly simple

A simple and accessible dharma talk I have and will listen to repeatedly to absorb and practice in order to “stop kicking the wheel”. Many thanks.

So incredibly helpful. Thank you.

Whatever ails you, listen to this. It helped me put a lot of things into perspective.

Just What was Needed

I listened to this before and it was helpful. I relistened recently and it resonated in a whole new way. I have felt a little stuck in my practice with some habitual patterns that are not beneficial. This audiobook gave me a different perspective to work from, and I have found it very useful. I like the humor, compassion, and wisdom of the teacher.

Everyone Must Listen

This audio is so inspiring, spiritual, and personal. Pema Chodron's naration is exquisit, she is so turely compasionate in helping us touch our own soul. She helped me go deep inside and look into my soul to really understand my true emotions and gave me the teaching necessary to go deep and step outside of my self, letting go of ego as well as fear bringing my meditation to a higher level.

Amazing and Lifechanging!

This book is marvelous! It's in Pema's own voice so you get to hear her wonderful inflections and delightful sense of humor first hand. The content is put simply and is very accessible - even to the non-Buddhists among us! She repeats her points (in a non-repetitive way) so they sink in. I immediately started applying many of her guidelines in some difficult personal situations. I found that I didn't get so deeply mired in my 'own stuff' and was able to recover much more quickly - with compassion for myself and others.

I've listened to it twice already and will listen again and again for reinforcement. I've listened to another one of her books by a different narrator and, while excellent, does not have the same personal quality of this book.

If you have never read or heard Pema's writings, this is the place to start!