Unconditional Confidence: Instructions for Meeting Any Experience with Trust and Courage

by Pema Chödrön

Pema Ch�dr�n is one of today's leading meditation teachers. With more than one million books sold to date, she draws sold-out crowds across the U.S.and Canada. On Unconditional Confidence she offers two accessible sessions to help anyone find courage in times of challenge and change. Featuring a three-step method for learning to work with uncertainty and fear and an exclusive interview, this liberating program offers practical tools and teachings that explore:

True confidence--and how to cultivate the trust that makes it possible
- "Shaky tenderness," the first step to developing strong and consistent bravery
- Practical steps to "leap into, smile at, and experience all of life"--even when fear is present
"For us to be of benefit to each other--in times of challenge or any other--we need to be able to tap into genuine confidence," teaches Pema. Unconditional Confidence offers timeless wisdom and inspiration for developing this courageous skill for whatever life presents us.

Runtime: 2 hours, 10 minutes.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Self Help, Spirituality, Philosophy, Meditation

3 pages, Audio CD

Published January 1, 2010

About the author

Ani 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.

Reviews

[Jacquie Underdown]

I'm in love with everything that comes out of this woman's mouth. Is that grasping?

[Kevin]

Ever since early November I've been scared and anxious about the next 4 years, this excellent audiobook shows me hope, in to my point of view a dire situation, in fact to embrace this anxiousness and to use it.

One thing I'll take away from this is the image of standing in the surf and getting knocked down and then standing back up again, I know this is going to happen again and again until I die, the final knock down. But maybe getting back up again can be a little easier. This audiobook gives hope.

Mindfulness training,

Meditation practice is regarded as a good and in fact excellent
way to overcome warfare in the world: our own warfare as
well as greater warfare.
—CHÖGYAM TRUNGPA RINPOCHE

Can we forgive ourselves and
stay in touch with our good and tender heart?

Genuine Heart of Sadness, how to work with tender heart.

[Clara]

I liked the format of one CD (approx an hour) of teachings and one CD consisting of a 75-minute interview. Pema Chodron's dharma talks are essentially on the same topic: how to free ourselves from habitual behaviors and patterns that create suffering, and how to cultivate the conditions that are less likely to entangle us in the future. That's not a negative criticism--I don't know anyone for whom this topic isn't a challenge. This means, 'though, that some listeners may find her various CDs repetitive, while others (I'm in the latter camp) find that each teaching reinforces the others I've heard.

[Beth]

I love her insights on meditation and life. Today I'm reminding myself to practice gentleness towards myself via the process, not harshness. "So you train again and again in acknowledging the harshness, and lightening up, having a sense of humor, being more tender and vulnerable, being more loving towards oneself."

[Mead Z]

The best self-help/meditation audio book i have ever listened too yet!

[Wilma Rebstock]

I read this again today. I needed it in the face of a tragic accident in which we lost our darling granddaughter.

[Nami]

The shaky tender heart of courage during life's many moments of groundlessness. Something about Pema's demeanour feels very accessible, human, and yet spiritual.

[Mckinley]

Interview and teaching.

[Kelly Fitzpatrick]

Wow. This is an audiobook that I listened to more than once. I took notes the second time. Pema talked about everything I've been feeling and I'm going to really explore buddhist teachings. I'm currently studying yoga and meditation and this really went hand in hand with what I've been learning about life and myself. Uplift others and practice non-violence. Be open to your experiences and the present.

[Baroness]

Sweet woman who keeps it real.

[Lindsay Nixon]

The content wasn’t what I was expecting based on the title. It was so much more (!) with very helpful and actionable tips. Highly recommend

[Magen - Inquiring Professional Dog Trainer]

I needed to listen to this more than once to fully understand everything Pema was teaching, but once I did, it was really impactful. This is the first book that I've come across which teaches effectively the concept of smiling at fear.

Listened to both sessions on 10/10, listened to just session one on 10/11, 10/17, 10/22, and 10/27.

[Taylor T]

I've listened to almost all of the Pema Chödrön audio sessions I can get from the library and it's hard to pick favorites but this one was really good and I think listening to it all in one sitting is the way to go.

[DK]

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.

[Sarah]

This was really helpful in regards to how afraid we get of being uncomfortable

[Nancy]

Pema's talks are vitamins. Included here: the reminder to see the story-line as a story-line, separate from whatever jangle of feeling one is feeling. The second CD is not a talk, but an interview with an unintroduced "Tammy." Tammy's voice is so smooth, SO low, SO PEACEFUL I thought I was going to blow a gasket. Finally I got used to it, and did appreciate her questions.

[Suze]

I’ve been listening to this little audio book over and over again. There is so much insight in Pema Chodrin’s words that can be applied to everyday situations. I particularly liked the phrase tender-hearted bravery in connection with facing our fears and letting go of our storylines. Step by baby step the world becomes less of a threat as we undo habits and patterns. I keep trying.

[Janice]

I am not that into Pema Chodron, but she makes me think about what I do after a wave hit me. Trust and courage need time to build up. I will consider more on preparing myself on facing the unexpected situation after listening this book.

[LemontreeLime]

This is a recording of a dharma talk Pema gave on the subject of confidence, resilience, fear, and fearlessness. Excellent advice. Not very long, one hour of talk and one hour of interview with the Sounds True narrator.

relistened to this in oct, 2015.

[Alanna-Jane]

The first disc is a recorded talk, and the second an interview with Tami Simon of Sounds True. Although it is illuminating, wise and relatable (as all her work is), this was definitely not my favourite. I can't put a finger on why not - it simply didn't wow me like she usually does.

[Pauline Sacré]

I usually find it hard to grasp spiritual books centered around enlightenment, but I like Pema Chödrön. Much of what she talks about in Unconditional Confidence felt surprisingly relatable for anyone who ever experiences any degree of fear or lack of confidence, which is probably everyone..

[Amy]

A lovely but brief teaching on treating oneself gently and trusting oneself. Features a talk and an interview with Chodron on there topics. Chodron talks a bit about her personal challenges in the interview. Listened to it twice.

[Jacqueline Knirnschild]

Nice reminder that if you stand up again & again after the waves of life push you down, it’ll get easier.

I also liked the idea of opening to empty space instead of getting caught in duality of mind.

Chodron’s voice is so peaceful and joyous. A pleasure to listen to on audio.

[Meimei]

A good follow-on to Eckhart Tolle. Pema Chodron is so clear, so articulate and thoughtful; a real pleasure.

[Sidra]

I actually listened to this one. Pema Chodron always has relevant, important, relatable things to say to me. I enjoyed listening to this talk (not a book, but a taped interview).

[Will Jeffries]

I enjoyed listening to Pema Chodron on Unconditional Confidence. She is able to radiate a certain degree of peace and tranquility as she speaks. It is nice to listen to.

[Ljonz]

Chodron states "I get why old people are grumpy. We must learn to manage our anxiety so that we don't become a characture of an old person . . ." and approach our own death with dignity.

[Pam]

Love her work. She gives tender morsels of wisdom that can be digested by the average person who justs tries to do a little better each day.

[Carol]

Normally, I love Pema Chodron's ideas, but I found this sparce and not as direct and on-point as I'd hoped.

[Marisa]

listened on CD. Really great information - I could have listened to it repeatedly in order to make it stick