Everything that occurs is actually the path itself. We can use everything as the means for waking up. LIFE’S work is to wake up, to let the things that enter into your life wake you up rather than put you to sleep. The only way to do this is to open, be curious, and develop some sense of sympathy for everything that comes along, to get to know its nature and let it teach you what it will.” It helps to remember that our spiritual practice is not about accomplishing anything—not about winning or losing—but about ceasing to struggle and relaxing as it is.”

Pema first met her root guru, the teacher with whom she had the most profound connection, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, in 1972, and she studied closely with him until his death in 1987.When we feel” depressed, lonely, betrayed, or any unwanted feelings, this is an important moment on the spiritual path. This is when real transformation can take place.” Yet I don't feel like she is talking down to me like I get the feeling with some Christian authors. I feel like she is merely pointing out a way up. Like she is clearing the path for me so to speak. A collection of short inspirational readings by “one of the world’s wisest women”– O, the Oprah Magazine.

The calligraphy reads, “Pointing directly at your own heart, you find Buddha.” Listening to talks about the dharma, or the teachings of Buddha, or practicing meditation is nothing other than studying ourselves.” Ani Pema Chödrön was born Deirdre Blomfield-Brown in 1936, in New York City. She graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and was an elementary school teacher for many years in New Mexico and California. 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. And clearly you appreciate mindfulness with a sense of humor and integrity! Why not join the Elephant community, become an Elephriend? In cultivating loving-kindness, we train first to be honest, loving and compassionate toward ourselves.”Oft-quoted, much beloved, and radiating kindness, Chödrön remains a guiding light for those seeking spiritual growth.” Pema Chodron is an American Buddhist nun, born Deidre Bloomfield-Brown in New York, who studied intensively under the Tibetan meditation master, Chogyam Trungpa. Looking beyond religion, Pema’s interpretation of Buddhism can enrich any walk of faith. A collection of short inspirational readings by "one of the world's wisest women"— O, the Oprah Magazine. Love, love, loved this one! She's very down to earth and human and her writing is very relatable. I appreciate that she reminds us that just because we're seeking enlightenment and on this path to awakening to life and knowing ourselves that it won't be perfect and that we'll still have pain and suffering and difficulty. It's not like we can just follow these specific steps and we'll be all fixed and happy and enlightened. It's always going to be a learning process and we hopefully just learn how to react/not react to things better. Whether we are violent, depressed, addicted or jealous, or even hate ourselves, these are good places to start – just where we are.