Working with Difficult Emotions

Publisher's Summary

As a child, did you ever sit under a favorite tree, immersed in the wonder of a single, precious leaf? As our days grow more complex, teaches Pema Chödrön, these vibrant and wholehearted moments may begin to elude even seasoned meditators. But it doesn't have to be that way. Buddhism’s Four Foundations of Mindfulness lead us on a journey back to the unabashed presence and delight of the “Child Mind” that lies within all of us. Here, Pema guides your first steps with an introductory meditation for getting in touch with, accepting, and releasing positive and negative emotions.

Sounds True Practices are short downloadable audio sessions selected from our most popular courses. Affordably priced and ideal for beginners, they're a powerful way to use energy healing, guided imagery, meditation, and other proven practices at home or on the go. Put them on your smartphone, MP3 player, tablet device, or computer…and start experiencing their benefits today.

This session is excerpted from Pema Chödrön's 2-CD audio program Natural Awareness.

©2014 Pema Chödrön (P)2014 Pema Chödrön

I'm very disappointed

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I thought this would be a half-hour talk on working with difficult emotions. It was a half-hour guided meditation. And that would have been fine, too, if there was more guidance. It was basically this: Focus on your breath, then focus on a negative emotion, then focus on a positive emotion. That was the whole thing.

What could Pema Chödrön have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I don't think this should be sold separately because it's uncharacteristically empty for something from Pema Chodron.

Have you listened to any of Pema Chödrön’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to MANY. Some I like more than others, but this one was just far below her usual standards, in my opinion.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Well, it's tool you can use when you feel horrible, and it helps a little bit. I guess it's worth $2.44, but being well acquainted with her other work, I just had higher expectations.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

meditation, not a book

this is a guided meditation. It isn't really a book reading at all. It is misleading to have this as an audio book. I have not found this to be what I was looking for when I purchased this audio. I hope others will find it useful.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Great Guided Meditation about Dealing w/Emotions

Purchased this to help w/overwhelming anxiety&anger. Well worth the few dollars. Big fan of Pema.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Disappointing

This is not a book but a basic and short guided meditation. I feel misled and disappointed in the packaging. As we seek to deal more effectively with 'difficult emotions' it seems important not to create them.

Cliff Hanging On This One

Not sure what transpired at the end, too abrupt and ending I thought but perhaps that was the desired affect. The ‘flow ‘ seemed off,. I understand this is training but my mind was helped to wonder I believe by not picking strong key words in the narrating . The story was shaken by a hic up of doubt in the retelling. Other wise I do enjoy
Pena Chödrön’s voice.

So helpful to me when I’m out of balance

Thanks many times over for this tool to work with my emotions when I’m in a bad mood and can’t find my way back to equilibrium by myself. So grateful.

Wonderful teacher.

If you read the description it’s stated that this is a meditation practice and an excerpt from a longer talk. It’s a short introduction and I think sometimes those of us who meditate regularly need reminders like these to bring us back to the basics. Also great for beginners.

Pema Works With You

Would you consider the audio edition of Working with Difficult Emotions to be better than the print version?

This is one of many examples of Buddhist teachers recording their teachings as they teach them, live to students. Pema Chodron has many books under her belt that she wrote down and those are good to read with the eyes and probably just as good read out, I don't know. What I like live teaching for is the sense of being in the room. The sentiments may be the same either way, but if you can't get to a live class or you like the different vibe a live teaching has, then this is a recording you will listen to over and over again.

What did you like best about this story?

This is shorter than a book, then, but if the message is for you then you are likely to listen more than once.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Pema talks from the heart, live in the moment, but with years of meditation and teaching and learning behind her.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A good starting point!

I have found meditations for sleep learning / healing / mindfulness very helpful during what has so far been then most intense, learning curve I've ever experienced. usually I just listen at night but I've taken to using this particular one during difficult times of solitude. I would highly recommend it to anyone that is seeking to start or refresh their path in mindfulness practice!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I found it difficult

I find it difficult to meditate on feelings from the future as future does not exist in the now and that is where I am