Pema Chodron

The four reminders

~ Pema Chödrön

Feelings like disappointment, embarrassment, irritation, resentment, anger, jealousy, and fear, instead of being bad news, are actually very clear moments that teach us where it is that we’re holding back. They teach us to perk up and lean in when we feel we’d rather collapse and back away. They’re like messengers that show us, with terrifying clarity, exactly where we’re stuck. This very moment is the perfect teacher, and, lucky for us, it’s with us wherever we are.

Looking deeper, we could say that the real cause of suffering is not being able to tolerate uncertainty – and thinking that it's perfectly sane, perfectly normal to deny the fundamental groundlessness of being human.

It can be hard to enjoy the ride when you're sick or in pain, but Pema suggests it as a possibility. I see it as embracing what we've been given. #PemaChodron

Young Pema Chodron.