Compassion is a skill. You can learn it here and now, and the benefits are vast. In this recorded retreat, Pema Chödrön shows you how—using a text that is very close to her heart: the Buddhist classic known as The Way of the Bodhisattva. Here she focuses on its primary subject, the enlightened heart and mind (bodhichitta), showing us how this awakened state, which often seems infinitely far out of our grasp, is always available to us right where we are. By nurturing a compassionate attitude in our hearts, we can naturally become more open and present to others and free in our lives, even amidst life’s adversities and fears. And little by little, through practice and commitment, we can become empowered to reach out beyond ourselves and heal the abundant suffering of the world.
Over the course of the retreat, Pema presents all the essentials for training the compassionate mind, including:
- How to get started: Learn to orient yourself on the path by setting the right intention
- Ways to overcome your obstacles: Teachings for rising above fear and increasing your confidence
- Advice for the road ahead: Numerous stories and anecdotes from Pema Chödrön’s personal experience of practicing the teachings in contemporary life