True Happiness by Pema Chodron

As always, Pema Chodron kept my attention with her unique mix of traditional Buddhist wisdom and pop psychology.

This 6-CD series is not a recording of a book; it is a recording of the talks Pema Chodron gave during a retreat at Gampo Abbey. Sprinkled through the talk are observations about the retreat itself. The beginning of every retreat is a settling-in period, and the end is filled with a sense of "it's almost over" for better or worse. But the middle of the retreat—whether it's a 7-day retreat or a 3-year retreat—that middle part, when it seems like the retreat has been going forever and is going to last forever, is where the real value happens.

I mention that only to suggest the flavor of the talks. She is always intensely focused on human nature, not only in its deepest essence, but in its day-to-day reality. She shares observations that are easy to relate to. And somewhere in the middle of that, she educates you about kleshas, Bodhicitta, and the traditional three levels of courage.

Personally, I don't hang onto a lot of the details: the real value is in the sense of awareness. If I snap at my kids or bang my toe, I can use that moment to observe myself, and put the dharma into practice. Of course, I usually don't. But if I've been listening to Pema Chodron, I'm much more likely to. For me, everything else is a detail.


True Happiness by Pema Chodron As always, Pema Chodron kept my attention with her unique mix of traditional Buddhist wisdom and pop psychology. This 6-CD series is not a recording of a book; it is a recording of the talks Pema Chodron gave during a retreat at Gampo Abbey. Sprinkled through the talk are observations about the retreat itself. The beginning of every retreat is a settling-in period, and the end is filled with a sense of "it's almost over" for better or worse. But the middle of the retreat—whether it's a 7-day retreat or a 3-year retreat—that middle part, when it seems like the retreat has been going forever and is going to last forever, is where the real value happens. I mention that only to suggest the flavor of the talks. She is always intensely focused on human nature, not only in its deepest essence, but in its day-to-day reality. She shares observations that are easy to relate to. And somewhere in the middle of that, she educates you about kleshas, Bodhicitta, and the traditional three levels of courage. Personally, I don't hang onto a lot of the details: the real value is in the sense of awareness. If I snap at my kids or bang my toe, I can use that moment to observe myself, and put the dharma into practice. Of course, I usually don't. But if I've been listening to Pema Chodron, I'm much more likely to. For me, everything else is a detail.
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