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Journey to Fulfillment: Six Keys for Opening to Life
Discover the Buddha's Six Keys to Greater Ease, Compassion, and Fulfillment
We may tell ourselves that once our lives get on track—with a good career, a loving partner, and a better sense of security—then we'll be able to focus on our greater purpose here. Deep down, many of us have felt this way. But is this really true?
"What if it's not the life you wish you had," ask Pema Chödrön, "but the one you've got that holds what you need to reach your highest potential?"
With Journey to Fulfillment, this beloved teacher shows us how wisdom, purpose, and true freedom begin right here, and how the Six Paramitas of Buddhism can help us to find them.
The Sanskrit word paramitas means "actions that take us to the other shore." Like travelers, Pema illustrates, we stand on the bank of a river, with all of our worries, confusion, and unfulfilled wants. Yet across the water we see those who have found ease, clarity of mind, and a deep tenderness for others. To help us make that crossing, the Buddha offered the paramitas.
In this audio program, listeners will learn to understand and apply these six transcendent aids: generosity, discipline, patience, joyful enthusiasm, meditation, and wisdom. Here, Pema shows those of all faiths how to use the paramitas to move out of isolation and into loving connection, from constriction to ease, and from fear to the compassionate courage of our awakened nature.
We may tell ourselves that once our lives get on track—with a good career, a loving partner, and a better sense of security—then we'll be able to focus on our greater purpose here. Deep down, many of us have felt this way. But is this really true?
"What if it's not the life you wish you had," ask Pema Chödrön, "but the one you've got that holds what you need to reach your highest potential?"
With Journey to Fulfillment, this beloved teacher shows us how wisdom, purpose, and true freedom begin right here, and how the Six Paramitas of Buddhism can help us to find them.
The Sanskrit word paramitas means "actions that take us to the other shore." Like travelers, Pema illustrates, we stand on the bank of a river, with all of our worries, confusion, and unfulfilled wants. Yet across the water we see those who have found ease, clarity of mind, and a deep tenderness for others. To help us make that crossing, the Buddha offered the paramitas.
In this audio program, listeners will learn to understand and apply these six transcendent aids: generosity, discipline, patience, joyful enthusiasm, meditation, and wisdom. Here, Pema shows those of all faiths how to use the paramitas to move out of isolation and into loving connection, from constriction to ease, and from fear to the compassionate courage of our awakened nature.
4 pages, Audio CD
Published February 2, 2021
About the author
Pema Chödrön
126 books5,677 followersAni Pema Chödrön (Deirdre Blomfield-Brown) is an American Buddhist nun in the Tibetan tradition, closely associated with the Kagyu school and the Shambhala lineage.
She attended Miss Porter's School in Connecticut and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. She taught as an elementary school teacher for many years in both New Mexico and California. Pema has two children and three grandchildren.
While in her mid-thirties, she traveled to the French Alps and encountered Lama Chime Rinpoche, with whom she studied for several years. She became a novice nun in 1974 while studying with Lama Chime in London. His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa came to England at that time, and Ani Pema received her ordination from him.
Ani Pema first met her root guru, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, in 1972. Lama Chime encouraged her to work with Trungpa, and it was with him that she ultimately made her most profound connection, studying with him from 1974 until his death in 1987. At the request of the Sixteenth Karmapa, she received the full bikshuni ordination in the Chinese lineage of Buddhism in 1981 in Hong Kong.
Ani Pema served as the director of the Karma Dzong, in Boulder, CO, until moving in 1984 to rural Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to be the director of Gampo Abbey. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave her explicit instructions on establishing this monastery for western monks and nuns.
Ani Pema currently teaches in the United States and Canada and plans for an increased amount of time in solitary retreat under the guidance of Venerable Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche.
She attended Miss Porter's School in Connecticut and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. She taught as an elementary school teacher for many years in both New Mexico and California. Pema has two children and three grandchildren.
While in her mid-thirties, she traveled to the French Alps and encountered Lama Chime Rinpoche, with whom she studied for several years. She became a novice nun in 1974 while studying with Lama Chime in London. His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa came to England at that time, and Ani Pema received her ordination from him.
Ani Pema first met her root guru, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, in 1972. Lama Chime encouraged her to work with Trungpa, and it was with him that she ultimately made her most profound connection, studying with him from 1974 until his death in 1987. At the request of the Sixteenth Karmapa, she received the full bikshuni ordination in the Chinese lineage of Buddhism in 1981 in Hong Kong.
Ani Pema served as the director of the Karma Dzong, in Boulder, CO, until moving in 1984 to rural Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to be the director of Gampo Abbey. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave her explicit instructions on establishing this monastery for western monks and nuns.
Ani Pema currently teaches in the United States and Canada and plans for an increased amount of time in solitary retreat under the guidance of Venerable Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 30, 2024
I am sickened to learn that Pema Chodron has been complicit to the sexual abuse in the lineage. Many women reported abuse to her, Judith Simmer-Brown and Judy Leaf. They did nothing. Pema never stepped down as a teacher. She never retired. She gave up her title. Everyone gave up their titles. This isn’t a virtuous gesture.
Before you lay into me with your defense for this woman, I strongly suggest you Google Shambhala sexual abuse. The history of rape, child molestation and abuse is endless and g continues to this day. Her head monk was just charged with voyeurism at her monastery - Gampo Abbey. The money from the books we buy goes to continue supporting this sick organization. It is absolutely heartbreaking to me she has become an apologist and has never come to support the victims.
https://matthewremski.medium.com/the-...
https://www.gurumag.com/pema-chodron-...
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-s...
I have more esteem for my spiritual development than to follow a sham.
Before you lay into me with your defense for this woman, I strongly suggest you Google Shambhala sexual abuse. The history of rape, child molestation and abuse is endless and g continues to this day. Her head monk was just charged with voyeurism at her monastery - Gampo Abbey. The money from the books we buy goes to continue supporting this sick organization. It is absolutely heartbreaking to me she has become an apologist and has never come to support the victims.
https://matthewremski.medium.com/the-...
https://www.gurumag.com/pema-chodron-...
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-s...
I have more esteem for my spiritual development than to follow a sham.
June 12, 2021
This was an excellent audio to listen to as I walked the dog in the early morning. Chodron is witty, self-deprecating, and explains the intricacies of the Buddhist concepts of the five paramitas in a way that made them seem almost achievable. My favorite paramita is "joyful exertion/enthusiasm." It's inspire me to do more of those things that I like to avoid; what she says about resistance sapping energy is quite true.
As I said, she is funny, she tells stories that I wouldn't have expected a Buddhist nun to tell, like holding a grudge, or reading Malcolm X's biography. In doing so, she comes across on the audio like a kind of understanding friend who, without seeming preachy, advocates a way that makes life, well, more fulfilling and livable.
As I said, she is funny, she tells stories that I wouldn't have expected a Buddhist nun to tell, like holding a grudge, or reading Malcolm X's biography. In doing so, she comes across on the audio like a kind of understanding friend who, without seeming preachy, advocates a way that makes life, well, more fulfilling and livable.
April 17, 2021
Perfectly timed for me. Exactly what I needed, when I needed it. I can see myself returning to this many times in the future. Listening to this felt like a life-changing experience. It is also very affirming of some of the tough choices I have made towards living a more fulfilled life -- in addition to being a wise guide on how to live well. It is also very accessible and you do not need a detailed understanding of Buddhism to benefit from Pema's wisdom. Definitely recommended.
September 7, 2022
I liked how this book reminded me of what I already knew in terms of meditation and mindfulness. Rather than feeling like a failure this book encourages you to see where you are and keep growing. Keep learning.
July 11, 2022
Always practical and accessible, great for a mental tune up.
September 4, 2022
She presents the lessons in such a humorous way, I couldn't turn off the audio book
January 17, 2023
Very relevant.
August 17, 2025
As always, Pema Chodron is a breath of fresh air. This audiobook is my favorite of those I've listened to. The talk is clear with plenty of humor and wonderful stories.
Highly recomended.
Highly recomended.
September 27, 2025
Wow. What a profound talk. So much to process and so much to consider in my life. Pema's wisdom (and the wisdom that she has gained from her teachers) continues to be a star to guide along the path toward enlightenment. I will be listening to this two or three times because there was just so much to consider. Sending love and kindness to all. May you be happy, healthy, and free from suffering. May you find a source of peace and stillness. May your heart be filled with love and compassion and generosity. May you awaken and help others to reach that same space so that they may help others to do the same. I wish this for all beings who feel pain, discomfort, and suffering.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews