Product Description

Pema Chodron is one of the West’s most beloved teachers of Buddhism, making the Tibetan vajrayana tradition accessible in today’s world. Now, three of her most popular teachings are available in one boxed set. The Pema Chodron Collection includes: Pure Meditation – step-by-step instruction in Tibetan Buddhism’s pinnacle practice for transformation and letting go; Good Medicine – teachings in tonglen, an elegant meditation that allows us to use our troubles to befriend ourselves and widen our circle of compassion; and From Fear to Fearlessness – offers an antidote to fear in the four noble aspirations – maitri (lovingkindness), compassion, joy, and equanimity.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38856 in Books
• Brand: Sounds True
• Published on: 2004-10
• Released on: 2005-04-12
• Formats: Audiobook, Import, Unabridged
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 6
• Binding: Audio CD

Features

• Pure Meditationinstruction in Tibetan Buddhisms pinnacle practice for transformation
• Good Medicineteachings in tonglen where we befriend our troubles
• Compassion-tonglen teaches us to widen our capacity for compassion
• From Fear to Fearlessnessoffers an antidote to fear
• Four noble aspirationsmaitri (lovingkindness), compassion, joy, and equanimity

About the Author
While in her mid-thirties, Ane Pema Chodron traveled to the French Alps and encountered Lama Chime Rinpoche, with whom she studied for several years. She became a nun in 1974 while studying with Lama Chime in London. His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa came to England at that time, and Ane Pema received her novice ordination from him.

Pema first met her root guru, Trungpa Rinpoche, in 1972. Lama Chime encouraged her to work with Rinpoche, and it was with him that she ultimately made her most profound connection, studying with him from 1973 until his death in 1987. At the request of the Karmapa, she received the full bikshuni ordination in the Chinese lineage of Buddhism in 1981 in Hong Kong.

Ane Pema served as the director of Karma Dzong in Boulder until moving in 1984 to rural Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to be the director of Gampo Abbey. The Vidyadhara, Chogyam Trungpa, gave her explicit instructions on running Gampo Abbey. The success of her first two books, The Wisdom of No Escape and Start Where You Are, made her something of a celebrity as a woman Buddhist teacher and as a specialist in the Mahayana lojong and paramita teachings.

As Pema is no longer doing any administration at Gampo Abbey, during her time in residence there she will be able to teach more and work with people on a one-to-one basis. Pema is also very interested in continuing her work with western Buddhists outside the vajrayana tradition, sharing ideas and teachings.

Customer Reviews

Lovely Listening
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.

Exceptional Teacher
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.

a new way to deal with the world
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.