Pema Chodron Quotes about Reality

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The first noble truth of the Buddha is that when we feel suffering, it doesn’t mean that something is wrong. What a relief. Finally somebody told the truth. Suffering is part of life, and we don’t have to feel it’s

The first noble truth of the Buddha is that when we feel suffering, it doesn’t mean that something is wrong. What a relief. Finally somebody told the truth. Suffering is part of life, and we don’t have to feel it’s happening because we personally made the wrong move. In reality, however, when we feel suffering, we think that something is wrong. As long as we’re addicted to hope, we feel that we can tone our experience down or liven it up or change it somehow, and we continue to suffer a lot.

Pema Chodron

Moving, Mean, Reality

Pema Chodron (2000). “When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times”, p.52, Shambhala Publications

If we run a hundred miles an hour to the other end of the continent in order to get away from the obstacle, we find the very same problem waiting for us when we arrive. It just keeps returning with new names, forms, manifestations until we learn whatever it has to teach us about where we are separating ourselves from reality, how we are pulling back instead of opening up, closing down instead of allowing ourselves to experience fully whatever we encounter, without hesitating or retreating into ourselves.

Pema Chodron

Running, Reality, Names

"When Things Fall Apart". Book by Pema Chödrön, December 24, 1996.

We have two alternatives: either we question our beliefs - or we don't. Either we accept our fixed versions of reality- or we begin to challenge them. In Buddha's opinion, to train in staying open and curious - to train in dissolving our assumptions and beliefs - is the best use of our human lives.

Pema Chodron

Buddhist, Reality, Two

Pema Chodron (2002). “The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times”, p.26, Shambhala Publications

Enlightenment is a direct experience with reality.

Pema Chodron

Reality, Enlightenment, Spirituality

The Process of becoming unstuck requires tremendous bravery, because basically we are completely changing our way of perceiving reality.

Pema Chodron

Reality, Bravery, Way

Pema Chodron (2000). “When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times”, p.69, Shambhala Publications

As for our inner level of obstacle, perhaps the only enemy we have is that we don't like the way reality is now and therefore wish it would go away fast. But what we need to acknowledge is that nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.

Pema Chodron

Reality, Taught Us, Enemy

As we practice, we begin to know the difference between our fantasy and reality.

Pema Chodron

Reality, Practice, Differences

Pema Chodron (2002). “The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times”, p.49, Shambhala Publications

Impermanence is a principle of harmony. When we don't struggle against it, we are in harmony with reality.

Pema Chodron

Struggle, Buddhism, Reality

Pema Chodron (2000). “When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times”, p.78, Shambhala Publications

Only in an open, nonjudgmental space can we acknowledge what we are feeling. Only in an open space where we're not all caught up in our own version of reality can we see and hear and feel who others really are, which allows us to be with them and communicate with them properly.

Pema Chodron

Reality, Space, Feelings

Pema Chodron (2000). “When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times”, p.102, Shambhala Publications