Product Description

Where will we look when we are afraid? How do we find strength? In what can we place our trust? According to Tibetan Buddhism, there are four noble aspirations known as "The Four Great Catalysts of Awakening" that we can cultivate for strength and openness in any situation. From Fear to Fearlessness brings listeners into the company of the beloved teacher Pema Chodron to discover and cultivate these four "immeasurables"—maitri (loving-kindness), compassion, joy, and equanimity. They are our greatest antidote to fear, teaches Ani Pema. By practicing them, we begin to experience a supreme steadfastness and peace independent of conditions. In this moving teaching session with the bestselling author of When Things Fall Apart, listeners will learn about: honesty—a conduit to the parts of ourselves that need kindness and love the most, self-acceptance and its effectiveness in overcoming the judging mind, and how to cultivate and nurture desires beyond materialism, and much more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #96731 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-01
• Released on: 2006-12-28
• Formats: Unabridged, Audiobook, Import
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 2
• Binding: Audio CD

Review
"Chodron demonstrates how effective the Buddhist point of view can be in bringing order into disordered lives." -- Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher
The definition of an enlightened being is one who is completely fearless, teaches Pema Chodron. With guided meditations, rare heart teachings, and Ani Pema’s trademark humor, listeners can transition in a natural way From Fear to Fearlessness.

About the Author
Pema Chodron is an American Buddhist nun and one of the foremost students of Chogyam Trungpa, the renowned Tibetan meditation master. She is the author of The Places That Scare You, Comfortable with Uncertainty, The Wisdom of No Escape, Start Where You Are, and the bestselling When Things Fall Apart. Ani Pema ("Ani" is a Tibetan honorific for a nun) is the resident teacher at Gampo Abbey, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the first Tibetan monastery in North America established for Westerners.

Customer Reviews

American Buddhist Nun with practical advice
This 2-cassette set reflects the author's usual warmth, humor, kindliness, and down-to-earth approach to improving one's life through Buddhist means. This set focuses on the 4 Immeasurables or limitless qualities: Maitri (loving-kindness), compassion, joy, and equanimity. She points out where her master, Trungpa Rinpoche digressed from the literal meanings of these four in practice as well as certain modifications suggested by the great 14th century master, Longchenpa (Longchen Rabjam). For example, the latter suggested meditating upon equanimity to stabilize prior to sending out loving kindness etc. Embedded in the technique is to send these 4 out consecutively, but within each "sending" to first apply it to someone you care about, then a neutral, then someone you mildly dislike (building up to stronger feelings), and finally to everyone. For example, compassion is the wish that everyone be free of suffering and the cause of suffering. Trungpa Rinpoche's modifications include: joy being the appreciation of peoples' basic goodness. Ani Chödrön's (she is a Buddhist nun, thus the title Ani) wonderful turns of phrase include: "We look for strength in what weakens us," "We've gotten really good at making matters worse," and seeking happiness without a hangover. My only problem with this set is that it's too short! Also, since it doesn't include the practice of Tonglen and some of her other main teachings, I'd recommend the 6-tape "Awakening Compassion" or "Noble Heart" set over this one. It includes virtually all of this one plus much more-but then it's longer and costs more. If you haven't had the great uplifting joy of experiencing Pema Chödrön's tapes, this would be a fine one to start with. She's also written a number of fine books (e.g. "Places that Scare You") and has a terrific video entitled, "Good Medicine."

This is a wonderful audio lesson
P. Chodron is a gentle, wise teacher with a profound sense of humor. I listen to these cd's over and over w/o ever tiring of them. I have downloaded them into my iPod so they are mobile, I like them that much! Her work is a strong reminder to breathe. Not to mention the fact that her voice is so lovable.

Pema's Voice is So Much Better Than Her Books
I like Pema's books because they are full of simple, no nonsense advice for daily living, but when I hear her voice which was how I was initially introduced to her on PBS t.v. something magical takes place for me. She has so much compassion and humor and a deep empathy for the human condition that comes across in a very embracing way when she speaks. Her words resonate for me and every time I replay one of her CDs I hear something new or I hear an interpretation I hadn't heard the last time. You'd think a CD would grow old but hers don't, for me. Maybe it's that I'm a 52 yr. old single career mom with a love of nature and a drive to find balance in my world that draws me to her. Whether she's speaking about getting along with coworkers or on how to handle depression, I'm right there soaking up her wisdom and kindness. Learning to love myself has been a focus of mine for a few years and her teachings are instrumental on my path...I always find a new teacher JUST when the timing is perfect. Many of my friends have started listening to her as well.