The spiritual journey involves going beyond hope and fear, stepping into unknown territory, continually moving forward. The most important aspect of being on the spiritual path may be just to keep moving.
Pema ChodronRead
The Process of becoming unstuck requires tremendous bravery, because basically we are completely changing our way of perceiving reality.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Becoming unstuck requires courage as it involves a significant shift in how we see reality.
This quote speaks to the profound bravery it takes to change one's perspective and to move forward in life when feeling trapped or stagnant. It emphasizes that the process of transformation is not just a minor adjustment but a fundamental change in our perception of reality, which can be daunting and requires inner strength and resilience.
Themes
BraveryChangePerceptionTransformationCourage
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about overcoming obstacles, discussing how changing one's mindset is crucial.
More from Pema Chodron
All quotes →Without giving up hope—that there’s somewhere better to be, that there’s someone better to be—we will never relax with where we are or who we are.
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When we scratch the wound and give into our addictions we do not allow the wound to heal.
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It's said that when we die, the four elements - earth, air, fire and water - dissolve one by one, each into the other, and finally just dissolve into space. But while we're living, we share the energy that makes everything, from a blade of grass to an elephant, grow and live and then inevitably wear out and die. This energy, this life force, creates the whole world.
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Meditation practice isn’t about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better. It’s about befriending who we are already. The ground of practice is you or me or whoever we are right now, just as we are. That’s the ground, that’s what we study, that’s what we come to know with tremendous curiosity and interest.
Pema ChodronRead
We have two alternatives: either we question our beliefs - or we don't. Either we accept our fixed versions of reality- or we begin to challenge them. In Buddha's opinion, to train in staying open and curious - to train in dissolving our assumptions and beliefs - is the best use of our human lives.
Pema ChodronRead
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I do not aim with my hand; he who aims with his hand has forgotten the face of his father. I aim with my eye. I do not shoot with my hand; he who shoots with his hand has forgotten the face of his father. I shoot with my mind. I do not kill with my gun; he who kills with his gun has forgotten the face of his father. I kill with my heart.
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Every tiny molecule of Ash is in motion with my heat I am such a Lunatic that I am free even in Jail.
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