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.

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 up (or in this case, C More...

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 shenpa and get back to the present More...

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 person More...

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.

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.

I read this a few years ago, but I just wanted to add it to my shelves. Pema is an amazing woman, an engaging speaker and I go back to the teachings of this book often.

Those of you who are familiar with Pema and her work will know when I say, that this book helps me keep my shenpa at bay. When I am having an off day, I like to play the audiobook on shuffle and trust that the wisdom of the iPod shuffler will help guide me through it :-)

Seriously though, I would highly recommend this book and any More...

Very down to earth and funny teachings on being engaged in the difficult times.

This book really helps to clarify the why!

I bought this as an audio book, and it was my companion on many an afternoon of garden work. I hadn't planned on the setting, but it turned out to be perfect, as Ani Pema gently talked about sinking in to the juiciness of things that really hook you (shenpa), and how to gently disengage from them and return to what's really going on.

If you get a chance to listen to her books - or even better - a live lecture - seize the opportunity. Plenty of youtube videos out there as well about this treasure More...

The information is presented in a way that is easy to digest and apply. It can feel very complicated when you feel that someone or something has the "hooks" in you (Shenpa). The author's approach of the subject along with the tone she uses to deliver it sheds new light on Shenpa and helps to walk the listener through the process. As you can tell I listened to the audio book. If you have any interest in self improvement and healing from relationships, it is the perfect book.

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.

Excellent audio book. The narrator is such an enjoyable, engaging, down-to-earth person that shares her stories and experiences with great humor and wit. I found this to be a very accessible and appropriate title on avoiding self-sabotage and doing our bet not to let our own fears, worries, baggage and negative expectations get in the way of our potential.

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.

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.

Pema Chödrön is a very wise teacher, leading us into the complexity of living with great compassion and understanding, sharing challenging recommendations on how to live, think, feel & love better.

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.

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 that we r More...

Great ideas here. I love her thoughts about the movie "A Beautiful Mind". Totally resonated with it. In fact when I saw the movie the first time I was in Hawaii (2010) and I cried. I cried again as she shared her thoughts because they were so close to my own. Amazing!

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.

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!

As we find our way along the path and the Dharma gradually becomes a part of our living we all need the wisdom of those who have gone before us. This is one of those experiences that addresses the issue of getting caught up in our practice. Essentially it is and must remain a fkuid thing that flows over and through us in akind of stream, the constant intrusion of self however can set up a battleground that becomes self reinforcing. This is a discussion about the nature of our journey through tho More...

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.

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 audiobook saved me at a very dark time. Pema's voice is so warm and comforting. Listening again for good measure!

A crucial book for me at a crucial point in life. Buddhist ideals with grass roots delivery. Everyone should read one Pema book.

I love listening to her on my commute to and from work. So refreshing, enlightening, and funny!

Had this CD for so many years I wore it out. Gorgeous, generous gift to the world.

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.

I really liked the emphasis on compassion, for others and especially ourselves. Now to work on putting this into action!