Have you ever had an itch-and not scratched it? In the Buddhist tradition, this points to a vast paradox: that by refraining from our urge to "scra...
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reviews
Jan 08, 2010
Andrea
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There is no escaping Pema Chondron's simple language. Her voice is beautiful, her tenor compassionate, but her call to mindfulness and staying present is unwavering and pure.
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Jan 18, 2012
Clara
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I seem to be working my way through my local library's Pema Chodron holdings. This one deals with the Tibetan Buddhist concept of "shenpa," Difficult to describe, shenpa is the surge of energy that hooks us and can keep us stuck in habitual negative patterns. "Staying" with the feeling and ridding ourselves of our storylines, both in traditional meditation and in our everyday living (easier said than done, of course) is the main teaching. I find that I can pick these books u
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Feb 10, 2010
Elision
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This collection of talks by Pema Chodron are on the topic of "shenpa," an idea roughly translated as "hooks" or "attachment." When we get trapped in our head instead of being present, it's this shenpa we're experiencing. Shenpa is not the thoughts we have or the emotions we feel, but the sticky part that keeps us from getting back to the present moment. When we realize that something is hooking us, we can take an attitude of curiosity and joy at discovering the shen
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May 24, 2011
Piat
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Short but sweet! This book helped me talk about addiction with a friend of mine that is currently trying to quit smoking. In trying to do some research to help my friend out, I also learned a great number of things about myself and how we as a people are addicted to so many things, critical thinking; sugar; beating ourselves up; and all sorts of other really insidious mental traps that spiritually bog us down. What we don't realize is that we allow ourselves to be ruled by these so-called pers
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May 26, 2009
Jennifer
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Listening to this book - actually a collection of lectures. She's a good speaker - she can be light and funny while talking about pain. She's honest about her own faults, which is encouraging.
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Jan 20, 2008
Russell
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Wonderfully down to earth talks on using the dharma as a kind and loving way to work on the ways we sabotage our own lives.
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Dec 16, 2009
Jason
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Very down to earth and funny teachings on being engaged in the difficult times.
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Feb 19, 2008
Marnie
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This book really helps to clarify the why!
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Nov 14, 2010
Nancy
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Not as "collected" for me as the other lectures of hers I've listened to, but still: shiny, important, and immediately useful. Now I see and think shenpa, shenpa shenpa (and notice when I feel the tiny hooks). Now I think about numbness, and savor it. Pema gives me names and ways to appreciate the uncomfortable and sometimes awfulness of life, mine and beyond.
Aug 11, 2011
Karen
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I didn't read this one - I had it read to me bc I got the audiobook. Definitely worth it. Pema's speech is so genuine & helps me focus. I've listened to this many times - sometimes all the way through, sometimes a piece at a time - & I always feel more relaxed.
Nov 21, 2008
Melody
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Vague instructions on how do deal with shenpas - that feeling just before emotion hits which causes you to succumb to your addictive or destructive behavior. Can be summed up by saying - come back to your breath - or breathe deeply and think about what's going on before you act.
Jul 09, 2009
Jodi
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Pema is so wonderful to listen to. SHe manages to convey kindness & humor & wisdom. This title was particularly helpful for giving a name to that edgy feeling we all want to avoid.
Sep 30, 2008
Sonja
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I love Pema Chodron's writings, and so was excited to see that I could get an audio book of hers from the library. She's a great speaker - in fact, many of her books are transcribed talks. As with all of her writings, she explains aspects of meditation practice drawn from her experience as a Tibetan Buddhist nun. Getting Unstuck explores "not itching the scratch", and just sitting with what that feels like. Her point is that we run away from discomfort, be it emotional or physical, and
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Jan 09, 2011
Leslie
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Audio edition from library. Like a lecture on how we get triggered by people and/or circumstances to react and how to be aware of all that and teach yourself to not react.
Jul 19, 2010
Vanessa
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Twice divorced, the author turned to Buddhism and became a nun - her American cultural background resonates with me! I related to her discourse in ways that would otherwise be missing from someone with an Indian accent, lol!
May 19, 2010
Susan
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I really enjoyed this book. She has great advice on ridding oneself of a bad habit, as well as a great analogy of what indulging in that habit does to you.
Sep 04, 2010
Connie
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Love Pema's audiobooks better than reading her books, because I love to listen her. Tons of humor and wisdom.
This one is great for starters.
This one is great for starters.
Feb 26, 2011
Dean
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A crucial book for me at a crucial point in life. Buddhist ideals with grass roots delivery. Everyone should read one Pema book.
Jun 10, 2010
Had this CD for so many years I wore it out. Gorgeous, generous gift to the world.
Jan 09, 2012
Mckinley
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This is a Sounds True "interview" with Q and A.
Ok, not as good as some of her books.
Ok, not as good as some of her books.
Nov 28, 2009
Sally
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This is a great set of CD's if you are struggling with anything in your personal life. I have listened to it over and over again.
Mar 29, 2010
Caroline
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I really liked the emphasis on compassion, for others and especially ourselves. Now to work on putting this into action!
Sep 02, 2009
Heather
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it's always nice to get a fresh dose of Pema and hear her motivating thoughts & gentle voice - love to listen to her on CD.
Dec 13, 2009
Marshall
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This is, by far, the best introduction to mindfulness and Buddhism I've ever heard. It was so good that I listened to it twice. There is a total of 6 lessons, about a half hour each. It is a talk by Buddhist Pema Chodrin about how certain ideas and thoughts have "hooks" that are so powerful and compelling that they can cause us to lose control. The most obvious examples of this are addictions and neuroses, but this concept also works on more subtle levels.
Oct 15, 2008
Happyreader
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A friend was told by her counselor, "You're not depressed. You just have bad habits." Don't we all.
I loved these CDs. It's all about how we get hooked and how we can unhook ourselves with compassion rather than continue with the habits we think will bring us comfort, by avoiding the present moment, but ultimately keep us trapped.
I just need to remember the four Rs: recognize, refrain, relax, resolve. Heck, if I could refrain, I'd be all set.
I loved these CDs. It's all about how we get hooked and how we can unhook ourselves with compassion rather than continue with the habits we think will bring us comfort, by avoiding the present moment, but ultimately keep us trapped.
I just need to remember the four Rs: recognize, refrain, relax, resolve. Heck, if I could refrain, I'd be all set.
Aug 06, 2011
Elisa
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Yup. It's all here. Don't bite the hook. Just look at it and let it go.
