Smile at Fear

We all have fears, but when we look closely at them, we discover that behind each fear resides a basic fear of ourselves. We're afraid to look at our habitual styles of thinking and behaving because we might not always like what we see. Ironically it is this fear of honest self-reflection that keeps us trapped in patterns of stress and discontent. Here is a vision for moving beyond this most basic fear to discover the innate bravery, trust, and joy that reside at the core of our being. In this recorded retreat, available on both DVD and audio CD, Pema shares teachings inspired by the book Smile at Fear, which was written by her teacher Chögyam Trungpa.

Be Grateful to Everyone

One of the best ways to bring meditation off the cushion and into everyday life is to practice lojong (or mind training). For centuries, Tibetans have used fifty-nine powerful mind-training slogans as a way to transform life's ordinary situations into opportunities for awakening. In this seven-CD program, Pema Chödrön presents her definitive audio teachings on lojong. She offers an overview of the practice and goes on to provide inspiring commentary on the slogans while paying special attention to how to apply them on the spot in our daily lives.

Don't Bite the Hook

In this recorded weekend workshop, Pema Chödrön draws on Buddhist teachings from the Way of the Bodhisattva to demonstrate how we can resist the enticing but destructive habit of reacting angrily to our daily burdens. Staying centered in the midst of difficulty, improving stressful relationships, refusing to entertain self-hatred, and awakening compassion for ourselves and others are Pema’s powerful antidotes to succumbing to negativity. In Don’t Bite the Hook, Pema reveals that within all of us lies the power to embrace constructive attitudes and discover true happiness.

When Things Fall Apart

Drawn from traditional Buddhist wisdom, Pema Chödrön’s radical and compassionate advice for what to do when things fall apart in our lives goes against the grain of our usual habits and expectations. There is only one approach to suffering that is of lasting benefit, she teaches, and that approach involves moving toward painful situations with friendliness and curiosity, relaxing into the essential groundlessness of our entire situation. It is there, in the midst of chaos, that we can discover the truth and love that are indestructible.

Taking the Leap

Pema Chödrön shows us how to break free of destructive patterns in our lives and experience a new sense of freedom and happiness. Drawing on the Buddhist concept of shenpa, she helps us to see how certain habits of mind tend to “hook” us and get us stuck in states of anger, blame, self-hatred, and addiction. The good news is that once we start to see these patterns, we can begin to change our lives for the better. Pema helps us to take a bold leap toward a new way of living—one that will bring about positive transformation for ourselves and for our troubled world.