Remember that this is not something we do just once or twice. Interrupting our destructive habits and awakening our heart is the work of a lifetime. Pema Chodron More Quotes by Pema Chodron More Quotes From Pema Chodron 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 space feelings reality we come to realize that other people's welfare is just as important as our own. In helping them, we help ourselves. In helping ourselves, we help the world. Pema Chodron important compassion people Just where you are-that's the place to start! Pema Chodron where-you-are The way I regard those who hurt me today will affect how I experience the world in the future. In any encounter, we have a choice: we can strengthen our resentment or our understanding and empathy. We can widen the gap between ourselves and others or lessen it. Pema Chodron empathy choices hurt Resisting what is happening is a major cause of suffering. Pema Chodron happenings causes suffering We can stop thinking that good practice is when it’s smooth and calm, and bad practice is when it’s rough and dark. If we can hold it all in our hearts, then we can make a proper cup of tea. Pema Chodron dark heart thinking Searching for happiness prevents us from ever finding it. Pema Chodron searching-for-happiness findings If you see a homeless person on the street, and they need food, housing, medical attention - if you can give that, do it. But at the same time, work with tonglen, because that is how you start dissolving the barrier between you and them. Pema Chodron attention giving needs Tonglen dissolves your solid sense of "I'm the wise person, I'm going to help this poor, unfortunate loser." Pema Chodron loser wise helping Many people hope a spiritual practice will let them avoid what they are ashamed of. But when you hide something from yourself, you are going to project it onto your world. You continually find it in others and it becomes the source of prejudices and dogmatic views. On top of that, you feel bad about yourself, because you aren't the loving, open-minded, "spiritual" person you'd like to be. Pema Chodron practice spiritual views One very powerful and effective way to work with this tendency to push away pain and hold on to pleasure is the practice of tonglen. In tonglen practice, when we see or feel suffering, we breathe in with the notion of completely feeling it, accepting it, and owning it. Pema Chodron pain powerful practice Tonglen is a way for you to be with people who need you - beginning with yourself. Pema Chodron people way needs If right now our emotional reaction to seeing a certain person or hearing certain news is to fly into a rage or to get despondent or something equally extreme, it's because we have been cultivating that particular habit for a very long time. Pema Chodron fly long-time time long
