a weekend with pema

I am currently gearing up to spend the weekend with Pema Chodron. I'd like to think that she and I will just be hanging out, sipping tea, giggling about life, maybe doing a little shoe shopping. But I will be surrounded by hundreds of her admirers and followers. She is holding a series of talks all weekend in Seattle, focusing on her book "No Time to Lose".

I discovered Pema about a year and a half ago, early on in my relationship with Jason, my fiance. Her books have been a wonderfully positive way to better understand ourselves and each other and to grow our relationship. I'd invite her to the wedding if I could.

Pema is an American who became a Buddhist nun. Her books are down-to-earth, sensitive, and often funny. She provides tangible ways to experience life and welcome uncertainty. When I read her books, I sometimes feel like she's holding up a mirror to my soul and have at times found myself talking back to the book, saying, "I know, Pema, I know." She calls me out on my habits all the time. But at least she does so gently and with a sense of humor.

I do hope you'll check out some of her books. I think you'll find them to be inspiring and comforting at the same time. My favorites are "Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living"and "Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion".

I will have limited time in front of a computer the next few days, but will report back next week to let you know how it went. I really don't know what to expect, but I am thrilled to have this opportunity and don't think it could have come at a better time.

In the meantime, I'll leave you with a few quotes from Pema that are speaking to me right now.

Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.

      From the book, "When Things Fall Apart"

A much more interesting, kind, adventurous, and joyful approach to life is to begin to develop our curiosity, not caring whether the object of our inquisitiveness is bitter or sweet. To lead a life that goes beyond pettiness and prejudice and always wanting to make sure that everything turns out on our own terms, to lead a more passionate, full, and delightful life than that, we must realize that we can endure a lot of pain and pleasure for the sake of finding out who we are and what this world is, how we tick and how our world ticks, how the whole thing just is.

      From the book, "The Wisdom of No Escape and the Path of Loving Kindness"

We can drop the fundamental hope that there is a better "me" who one day will emerge. We can't just jump over ourselves as if we were not there.

      From the book, "When Things Fall Apart"

Comments

[Sarah]

I have been enjoying your art and your courage and your tweets. I am also a grateful student of Pema Chodron ever since the first book came out! Have a wonderful weekend (and have fun shopping ha ha)

cheers Sarah (toutstweet)

[Kristen]

I think you magically knew that I needed these quotes today. Thanks, D. :)