The Wisdom of No Escape: And the Path of Loving-Kindness (Shambhala Library)

It’s possible to say yes to life in all its manifestations, Pema Chödrön teaches—by embracing all the happiness and suffering, all the intelligence and confusion that are a natural part of our existence. Doing so opens a wellspring of courage and love within our hearts. In this gift edition of her first book, Pema presents traditional Buddhist wisdom that anyone can relate to. Originally published in 1991. First Shambhala Library Edition in 2010. eisbn 9780834821095 isbn 978087773-6325 (pbk.: alk. paper) isbn 9781570628726 (pbk.) isbn 9781590307939 (Shambhala Library) In this book Pema Ch?dr?n 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. The key is learning a new way of facing the inevitable difficulties and insecurities of our daily lives: we must learn how to stay present and open our hearts. "This path entails uncovering three basic human qualities," explains Pema. "These qualities have always been with us but perhaps have gotten buried and almost forgotten. They are natural intelligence, natural warmth, and natural openness. Everyone, everywhere, all over the globe, has these qualities and can call on them to help themselves and others." This book gives us the insights and practices we can immediately put to use in our lives to awaken these essential qualities. In her friendly and encouraging style, Pema Ch?dr?n 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 The “down-to-earth, unsentimental, [and] high-humored” Pema Chödrön classic on learning to face our lives just as they are ( Los Angeles Times ) It's true, as they say, that we can only love others when we first love ourselves—and we can only experience real joy when we stop running from pain. The key to understanding these truisms is simple but not easy: we must learn to open ourselves up to life in all its manifestations. Here, spiritual teacher and When Things Fall Apart author Pema Chödrön presents a uniquely practical approach to doing just that, showing us the true value in having “no escape” from the ups and downs of life. Drawing from her own experiences with marriage, divorce, motherhood, and more, Pema reveals that when we embrace the happiness and heartache, the inspiration and confusion—all the twists and turns that are part of natural life—we can begin to discover a true wellspring of courageous love that’s been within our hearts all along. As she writes in chapter four: “Our neurosis and our wisdom are made out of the same material. If you throw out your neurosis, you also throw out your wisdom.” Ever feel trapped in the same old habits and painful emotions time and time again? These are patterns we all face, and sometimes they feel impossible to shake. So how can we get unstuck? Drawing on time-honored Buddhist teachings on shenpa (all the attachments and compulsions that cause us suffering), Pema Chödrön shows how certain habits of mind tend to “hook” us and get us stuck in states of anger, blame, self-hatred, addiction, and so much more—and, most of all, how we can liberate ourselves from them. “This path entails uncovering three basic human qualities,” explains Pema. “They are natural intelligence, natural warmth, and natural openness. Everyone, everywhere, all over the globe, has these qualities and can call on them to help themselves and others.” Pema shares insights and exercises from her lifetime of practice that we can immediately put to use in our lives to awaken these essential qualities and help 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. "It's true, as they say, that we can only love others when we first love ourselves. And we can only experience real joy when we stop running from pain. The key to understanding these truisms is simple but not easy: learn to open ourselves up to life in all circumstances. In this guide to true kindness for self and others, Pema Chödrön presents a uniquely practical approach to doing just that. And she reveals that when we embrace the happiness and heartache, inspiration and confusion, and all the twists and turns that are a natural part of life, we can begin to discover a true wellspring of courageous love that's been within our hearts all along."--Amazon.com Preface 1. Loving-Kindness 2. Satisfaction 3. Finding Our Own True Nature 4. Precision, Gentleness, and Letting Go 5. The Wisdom of No Escape 6. Joy 7. Taking a Bigger Perspective 8. No Such Thing as a True Story 9. Weather and the Four Noble Truths 10. Not Too Tight, Not Too Loose 11. Renunciation 12. Sending and Taking 13. Taking Refuge 14. Not Preferring Samsara or Nirvana 15. The Dharma That Is Taught and the Dharma That Is Experienced 16. Sticking to One Boat 17. Inconvenience 18. The Four Reminders Bibliography Resources It's true, as they say, that we can only love others when we first love ourselves and we can only experience real joy when we stop running from pain. The key to understanding these truisms lies in remaining open to life in all circumstances, and here Pema Ch?dr?n shows us how. Because when we embrace the happiness and suffering, intelligence and confusion that are a natural part of life, we can begin to discover a wellspring of courageous love within our hearts It's true, as they say, that we can only love others when we first love ourselves and we can only experience real joy when we stop running from pain. The key to understanding these truisms lies in remaining open to life in all circumstances, and here Pema ChOdrOn shows us how. Because when we embrace the happiness and suffering, intelligence and confusion that are a natural part of life, we can begin to discover a wellspring of courageous love within our hearts Timeless teachings on using the rich texture of everyday life as our spiritual teacher and guide.

This book is about saying yes to life in all its manifestations-embracing the potent mixture of joy, suffering, brilliance and confusion that characterizes the human experience. Pema Chodron shows us the profound value of our situation of "no-escape" from the ups and downs of life.

"It's possible to say yes to life in all its manifestations, Pema Chödrön teaches--by embracing all the happiness and suffering, all the intelligence and confusion that are a natural part of our existence. Doing so opens a wellspring of courage and love within our hearts...Pema presents traditional Buddhist wisdom that anyone can relate to." -- Publisher's description Pema Chödrön is an American Buddhist nun in the lineage of Chögyam Trungpa, the renowned Tibetan meditation master. In this book, Chödrön discusses the importance of saying yes to life in all its manifestations (good and bad), and about accepting what she calls the "delightful and painful situation of 'no exit'" "This book is about saying yes to life in all its manifestations—embracing the potent mixture of joy, suffering, brilliance, and confusion that characterizes the human experience. Pema Chödrön shows us the profound value of our situation of "no escape" from the ups and downs of life"-- Publisher description

This book is about saying yes to life in all its manifestations—embracing the potent mixture of joy, suffering, brilliance, and confusion that characterizes the human experience. Pema Chödrön shows us the profound value of our situation of "no escape" from the ups and downs of life.

In this pithy, inspiring book, Pema Chödrön presents the Buddhist concept of shenpa-- which can be translated as "getting stuck" or "getting hooked"-- and shows you how you can liberate yourself from it THERE'S A COMMON MISUNDERSTANDING among all the human beings who have ever been born on the earth that the best way to live is to try to avoid pain and just try to get comfortable. An American Buddhist nun encourages accepting everyday life and the wonders and pains of this world as the gateway to an enhanced spiritual life