Customer Reviews

The Pema Chodron Audio Collection: Pure Meditation:Good Medicine:From Fear to Fearlessness

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In this wonderful collection, with warmth, humor, & kindliness, Pema gives down-to-earth ways to improve life through Buddhism: meditation (mindfulness, tranquil abiding & a bit of insight), the 4 Immeasurables (loving-kindness, compassion, joy, & equanimity) Bodhichitta, & Tonglen (sending and receiving) meditation. She explores Atisha's Slogans of (cf. her "Start Where You Are"), Lojong mind training (transforming obstacles into your practice; poisons into loving kindness & compassion). Tonglen (exchanging your joy for others' suffering) including on-the-spot Tonglen (done just when suffering appears) to subdue egocentricity & develop Bodhichitta/loving kindness. She espouses having the courage to experience discomfort, to change one's worldview, & face one's emotions squarely. Ani (honorific for a Buddhist nun) Chodron's wonderful turns of phrase include: "We look for strength in what weakens us, "We've gotten really good at making matters worse, "seeking happiness without a hangover. "the places of meeting your edge are the places of tantrum, & "emptiness is openness." She also provides valuable stories such as: the man who went into a coma, was moved elsewhere, woke up thinking he was dead, & lived the rest of is life that way.

She points out where her master, Trungpa Rinpoche digressed from the literal meanings of some of these practices & some changes suggested by the great 14th century master, Longchenpa (Longchen Rabjam). For example, the latter suggested meditating upon equanimity to establish stability prior to radiating loving kindness etc. Embedded in the technique is to radiate each item consecutively, but building up to stronger feelings within each sending--first apply it to someone you care about, then a neutral person, then someone you mildly dislike & finally to everyone. For example, compassion is the wish that everyone be free of suffering & the cause of suffering. Trungpa Rinpoche's modifications include: joy being the appreciation of peoples' basic goodness (empathetic joy IMHO). Joyfully, this set solves my usual problem with Pema's sets: that they're too short! I'd also recommend the 6-tape "Awakening Compassion" & "Noble Heart" sets. If you haven't had the great uplifting joy of experiencing Pema's tapes, this collection is a fine start.

I tend to take in the pain of others. Pema gives me a way of taking in the pain of living by breathing out compassion, a healthy way of handling that pain. I listen to the six CDs in rotation during my commute. I have ordered more of her CDs. No matter if the lessons are basically the same, just listening to her centers me.
If you are a religious person, please don't think that she is trying to convert you to Buddhism. She is just giving you a tool to get through the day. Nothing in her lessons contradicts any religion that believes in the practice of compassion.

Pema Chodron has a wonderful kind voice. Her teaching on these CD is a gentle introduction to Buddhism for the lay person. I found great solace in her words and her voice. Like the Dalai Lama and Thubten Chodron, Pema Chodron's laughter is an expression of pure joy. The genuine joy that I hear in their laughters is proof that Buddhism will help me, and indeed it has helped me.

This package contains three of her works. It is cheaper than getting them individually.

Pema's soothing voice and universal wisdom is an excellent anecdot for today's hectic life-style. Pema teaches us how to accept ourselves, treat ourselves with love and gentleness, how to avoid suffering and live fearlessly. This CD set is especially useful for anyone facing life-altering issues and need to redirect their lives. This set has been tremendoulsy helpful for me.

This is a great collection by the warm, practical and humorous Pema Chodron. I work in the psychology field and Pema Chodron shares excellent practical advice as well as practices to cultivate unconditional self-love, universal compassion, tolerance for difficult emotions and ways of transforming negative internal states to positive ones.

There is nothing esoteric about these CDs and they can be enjoyed and implimented by anyone of any faith. The Dalai Lama has been quoted as saying his religion is "loving-kindness." This book is certainly written in this spirit. If you like Pema Chodron, you may also like Cheri Huber's work. The following books are particularly good... Making a Change for Good: A Guide to Compassionate Self-Discipline, There Is Nothing Wrong with You: Going Beyond Self-Hate, Be the Person You Want to Find: Relationship and Self-Discovery and How You Do Anything Is How You Do Everything: A Workbook.

Lastly, I want to mention that this set is a tremendous bargain. You get a lot of CDs with this and there is just enough overlap to develop concepts without hearing a lot of repitition. Highly recommended!

I received this as a bridal shower gift from my sister over a year ago and I still listen to it over and over. I had never heard of Pema Chodron or mindfulness practice before I listed to this CD set. Each time I listen I learn something new. I have it on my iPod now and listen to it every now and then. I am truly and utterly thankful to her for gifting it to me. I am blessed with a wonderful life and I might never have sought out this CD or anything by Pema Chodron. But, I cannot put words to how much this has helped me and is continuing to help me. I highly recommend you get this for yourself and/or someone you love. I am now buying a couple of her other works for myself and to share with friends and family.

Pema Chodron affects my life in a profound way. I teach yoga and work daily with guiding people into a compassionate space where they can open up to their bodies and find peace with their minds. Chodron is giving me heartfelt guidance and it is easy to recognize that she has lived all that she teaches every inch of the way. I would say; listen to this woman and live more fully in tune with your compassionate nature and with people around you!

If you can get past the coughing, sneezing and nose blowing audience background noise and just concentrate on her voice and words then you are absolutely in for a wonderful teaching.

I have several of Pema Chodron cd's and she is very helpful in making mediation a workable practice. She addresses everyday issues in a humorous and down to earth manner.

This is one of the best investments I've made in meditation CD's. Pema Chodron does an excellent job and her soothing and entertaining style create a wonderful meditation experience.