The Fearless Heart : The Practice of Living with Courage and Compassion

Pema Chodron helps us uncover and transform the fundamental beliefs that cause us to suffer so that we can increase our capacity to love ourselves and others. Pema begins her teaching by declaring, 'We live in a culture of fear and guilt, always feeling like we aren't good enough'. She then shows the way out of this trap by revealing how the entire spiritual path is really about cultivating fearless self-acceptance. She draws on five traditional Tibetan Buddhist aphorisms to frame her teachings: 'Reveal your hidden faults' - for accepting our imperfections; 'Approach what you find repulsive' - for facing suffering with an open heart; 'Help those whom you think you cannot help' - for awakening compassion; 'Anything you are attached to, give that' - for developing generosity; and, 'Go to the places that scare you' - for finding courage in all aspects of life. Pema unpacks these aphorisms and helps us understand how they can form the structure for living a more courageous life. She also holds an extensive question-and-answer session and leads guided meditation practices on overcoming shame and guilt, staying open in the face of pain, transforming our relationships with difficult people, and increasing our feelings of generosity.