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Trying to change ourselves doesn't work in the long run because we're resisting our own energy. Self-improvemen t can have temporary results, but lasting transformation occurs only when we honor ourselves as the source of wisdom and compassion.

Pema Chodron

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Pema Chodron
Age: 88
Born: 1936
Born: July 14
Clergyman
Philosopher
Writer
New York City
New York
Deirdre Blomfield-Brow
Long
Wisdom
Occurs
Energy
Temporary
Running
Lasting
Doesn
Transformation
Change
Compassion
Self
Honor
Trying
Source
Work
Results
Resisting

More quotes by Pema Chodron

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Compassion practice is daring. It involves learning to relax and allowing ourselves to move gently toward what scares us.
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Suffering begins to dissolve when we can question the belief or the hope that there's anywhere to hide.
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Treat yourself as your own beloved child.
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We hold on to hope, and hope robs us of the present moment.
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In the end, that's what we all need more than anything else: to be there for each other, in every kind of situation.
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The essence of generosity is letting go. Pain is always a sign that we are holding on to something - usually ourselves.
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Sticking with uncertainty is how we learn to relax in the midst of chaos, how we learn to be cool when the ground beneath us suddenly disappears. We can bring ourselves back to the spiritual path countless times every day simply by exercising our willingness to rest in the uncertainty of the present moment—over and over again.
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When things are shaky and nothing is working, we might realize that we are on the verge of something. We might realize that this is a very vulnerable and tender place, and that tenderness can go either way. We can shut down and feel resentful or we can touch in on that throbbing quality. (9)
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Few of us are satisfied with retreating from the world and just working on ourselves. We want our training to manifest and to be of benefit. The bodhisattva-warrior, therefore, makes a vow to wake up not just for himself but for the welfare of all beings.
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Feel the feelings and drop the story.
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Difficult people are the greatest teachers.
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Meditation is not a matter of trying to achieve ecstasy, spiritual bliss, or tranquillity, nor is it attempting to become a better person. It is simply the creation of a space in which we are able to expose and undo our neurotic games, our self-deceptions, our hidden fears and hopes.
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Being preoccupied with our self-image is like being deaf and blind. It's like standing in the middle of a vast field of wildflowers with a black hood over our heads. It's like coming upon a tree of singing birds while wearing earplugs.
Pema Chodron
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The only way to ease our pain is to experience it fully. Learn to stay with uneasiness, learn to stay with the tightening, so that the habitual chain reaction doesn't continue to rule your life.
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The very first noble truth of the Buddha points out that suffering is inevitable for human beings as long as we believe that things last—that they don’t disintegrate, that they can be counted on to satisfy our hunger for security.
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It isn't what happens to us that causes us to suffer it's what we say to ourselves about what happens.
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What you do for yourself, you're doing for others, and what you do for others, you're doing for yourself.
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The Buddha taught that we're not actually in control, which is a pretty scary idea. But when you let things be as they are, you will be a much happier, more balanced, compassionate person.
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We can gradually drop our ideals of who we think we ought to be, or who we think we want to be, or who we think other people think we want to be or ought to be.
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The truth is that good and bad coexist sour and sweet coexist. They aren't really opposed to each other.
Pema Chodron