-
The Truth of Our Existence
- Four Teachings from the Buddha to Illuminate Your Life
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 3 hrs and 58 mins
- Speech
- Categories: Religion & Spirituality, Buddhism
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy for $14.68
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Fully Alive
- A Retreat with Pema Chodron on Living Beautifully with Uncertainty and Change
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 4 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this recorded retreat, based on the program Living Beautifully with Uncertainty and Change held at Omega Institute, Pema Chödrön and her teaching assistant, Meg Wheatley, provide a wealth of wisdom for learning to step right into the river: to be completely, fearlessly present even in the hardest times, the most difficult situations. It's the secret of being fully alive.
-
-
Brief
- By lo on 08-10-18
By: Pema Chödrön
-
Journey to Fulfillment
- Six Keys for Opening to Life
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Sanskrit word paramitas means "actions that take us to the other shore". In this inspiring audio program, beloved teacher and author Pema Chödrön shows us how to use the six paramitas to move out of isolation and fear and into the compassion and courage of our awakened Buddha nature.
-
-
Top 5
- By Alex Fetters on 03-22-21
By: Pema Chödrön
-
Walking the Walk
- Putting the Teachings into Practice When It Matters Most
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chodron
- Length: 4 hrs and 24 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's one thing to hear a life-changing truth or to have a conceptual grasp on spiritual wisdom. But it’s another thing to "walk the walk" - or to put into practice the good advice we've been given. What does it mean to walk the walk in our everyday lives? According to Pema Chödrön, it means being down-to-earth, genuine, and perhaps most importantly, it means engaging in the teachings in order to actively confront anything and everything we’ve heretofore rejected in our attempts to find happiness.
-
-
Amazing talks. Thank you Pema Chodron
- By Client Amazon on 09-21-14
By: Pema Chödrön
-
From Fear to Fearlessness
- Teachings on the Four Great Catalysts of Awakening
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 2 hrs and 38 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Where will we look when we are afraid? How do we find strength? In what can we place our trust? According to Tibetan Buddhism, there are four noble aspirations, known as the Four Great Catalysts of Awakening, which we can call on to cultivate strength and openness in any situation. From Fear to Fearlessnessbrings us into the company of beloved teacher Pema Chödrön to discover and cultivate these four immeasurables: maitri (loving-kindness), compassion, joy, and equanimity.
-
-
Crucial topic
- By Sonia on 07-10-15
By: Pema Chödrön
-
This Moment Is the Perfect Teacher
- Ten Buddhist Teachings on Cultivating Inner Strength and Compassion
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 3 hrs and 53 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lojong is a powerful Tibetan Buddhist practice created especially for training the mind to work with the challenges of everyday living. It teaches our hearts to soften, reframes our attitude toward difficulty, and allows us to discover a wellspring of inner strength. In this recorded retreat, Pema Chödrön introduces the lojong teachings and explains how we can apply them to any situation in our life - because, as Pema says, "every moment is an opportunity for awakening."
-
-
FYI: Subset of “Be Grateful to Everyone “
- By mlanely on 11-27-19
By: Pema Chödrön
-
When Pain is the Doorway
- Awakening in the Most Difficult Circumstances
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 1 hr and 55 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What if the full sense of our aliveness were only to be found amidst our most challenging times and difficult experiences? In pain and crisis, teaches Pema Chödrön, there lies a hidden doorway to freedom that appears to us only when we're sure that there is no way out. In these intimate audio learning sessions, Pema Chödrön helps us distinguish the triggers or external events that we blame for our suffering from the deeper habitual patterns that feed our anger, fear, or sadness.
-
-
Crucial topic. sound is fine.
- By ClosetGeek on 10-12-13
By: Pema Chödrön
-
Fully Alive
- A Retreat with Pema Chodron on Living Beautifully with Uncertainty and Change
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 4 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this recorded retreat, based on the program Living Beautifully with Uncertainty and Change held at Omega Institute, Pema Chödrön and her teaching assistant, Meg Wheatley, provide a wealth of wisdom for learning to step right into the river: to be completely, fearlessly present even in the hardest times, the most difficult situations. It's the secret of being fully alive.
-
-
Brief
- By lo on 08-10-18
By: Pema Chödrön
-
Journey to Fulfillment
- Six Keys for Opening to Life
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Sanskrit word paramitas means "actions that take us to the other shore". In this inspiring audio program, beloved teacher and author Pema Chödrön shows us how to use the six paramitas to move out of isolation and fear and into the compassion and courage of our awakened Buddha nature.
-
-
Top 5
- By Alex Fetters on 03-22-21
By: Pema Chödrön
-
Walking the Walk
- Putting the Teachings into Practice When It Matters Most
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chodron
- Length: 4 hrs and 24 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's one thing to hear a life-changing truth or to have a conceptual grasp on spiritual wisdom. But it’s another thing to "walk the walk" - or to put into practice the good advice we've been given. What does it mean to walk the walk in our everyday lives? According to Pema Chödrön, it means being down-to-earth, genuine, and perhaps most importantly, it means engaging in the teachings in order to actively confront anything and everything we’ve heretofore rejected in our attempts to find happiness.
-
-
Amazing talks. Thank you Pema Chodron
- By Client Amazon on 09-21-14
By: Pema Chödrön
-
From Fear to Fearlessness
- Teachings on the Four Great Catalysts of Awakening
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 2 hrs and 38 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Where will we look when we are afraid? How do we find strength? In what can we place our trust? According to Tibetan Buddhism, there are four noble aspirations, known as the Four Great Catalysts of Awakening, which we can call on to cultivate strength and openness in any situation. From Fear to Fearlessnessbrings us into the company of beloved teacher Pema Chödrön to discover and cultivate these four immeasurables: maitri (loving-kindness), compassion, joy, and equanimity.
-
-
Crucial topic
- By Sonia on 07-10-15
By: Pema Chödrön
-
This Moment Is the Perfect Teacher
- Ten Buddhist Teachings on Cultivating Inner Strength and Compassion
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 3 hrs and 53 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lojong is a powerful Tibetan Buddhist practice created especially for training the mind to work with the challenges of everyday living. It teaches our hearts to soften, reframes our attitude toward difficulty, and allows us to discover a wellspring of inner strength. In this recorded retreat, Pema Chödrön introduces the lojong teachings and explains how we can apply them to any situation in our life - because, as Pema says, "every moment is an opportunity for awakening."
-
-
FYI: Subset of “Be Grateful to Everyone “
- By mlanely on 11-27-19
By: Pema Chödrön
-
When Pain is the Doorway
- Awakening in the Most Difficult Circumstances
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 1 hr and 55 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What if the full sense of our aliveness were only to be found amidst our most challenging times and difficult experiences? In pain and crisis, teaches Pema Chödrön, there lies a hidden doorway to freedom that appears to us only when we're sure that there is no way out. In these intimate audio learning sessions, Pema Chödrön helps us distinguish the triggers or external events that we blame for our suffering from the deeper habitual patterns that feed our anger, fear, or sadness.
-
-
Crucial topic. sound is fine.
- By ClosetGeek on 10-12-13
By: Pema Chödrön
-
Three Steps to Courage
- Working Compassionately with Difficult Emotions
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 3 hrs and 24 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beloved Tibetan Buddhist teacher Pema Chödrön has a unique gift for helping those of all faiths to work with their most difficult inner and outer challenges. In this supportive series of talks, listeners will join her at her best - showing us the way back to our wisest and most heartful selves. Here, Pema shares three simple, time-honored steps to practice when we are in pain or crisis.
-
-
Disappointed
- By Dr. Jan B. Newman on 07-03-20
By: Pema Chödrön
-
Bodhisattva Mind
- Teachings to Cultivate Courage and Awareness in the Midst of Suffering
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chodron
- Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What if you could cultivate the mind of a bodhisattva -- one who has dedicated one's life to the benefit of others? According to Pema Chödrön, best-selling author and American-born Buddhist nun, you can. On Bodhisattva Mind, she examines sheshin, or "guarding alertness", and the other qualities of mind we need to develop on the path to enlightenment.
-
-
First Understanding of Buddhism
- By J. C. Oregon on 03-11-08
By: Pema Chödrön
-
Coming Closer to Ourselves
- Making Everything the Path of Awakening
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In challenging times, why do so many of us turn to Pema Chödrön for guidance? Many say that it’s her honest and caring way of communicating the core teachings of Buddhism - not just conceptually, but directly from her heart to ours. In these inspiring sessions, she teaches us how to give that compassion to the person we neglect most often - ourselves.
-
-
This is a lecture
- By Ziggy3339 on 02-17-15
By: Pema Chödrön
-
Embracing the Unknown
- Life Lessons from the Tibetan Book of the Dead
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 3 hrs and 20 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Pema Chödrön presents her first live talk on the Tibetan Book of the Dead. With Embracing the Unknown, she reveals how one of Buddhism’s most revered texts contains essential guidance not only for understanding the mysteries of life, death, and rebirth - but also profound wisdom for living fearlessly in “the bardo of this life”. Experience one of today’s most beloved spiritual teachers at her best as she helps us navigate fear, doubt, and uncertainty with a compassionate and open heart.
-
-
so helpful and insightful
- By debadventurer on 02-23-19
By: Pema Chödrön
-
Unconditional Confidence
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chodron
- Length: 2 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Pema Chodron is one of today's leading meditation teachers. With more than one million books sold to date, she draws sold out crowds across the U.S. and Canada. On Unconditional Confidence, she offers two accessible sessions to help anyone find courage in times of challenge and change.
-
-
Another Clear Sign-post from Pema for the Journey
- By James on 04-23-12
By: Pema Chödrön
-
The Fearless Heart
- The Practice of Living with Courage and Compassion
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fear and guilt are two of the greatest challenges we face on the spiritual path - but there is a way to transform these painful feelings into courageous self-acceptance. Here Pema Chödrön presents the five aphorisms for developing fearlessness that were given to Machig Lapdronma, one of Tibetan Buddhism's greatest female teachers. Pema comments on these aphorisms, holds question-and-answer sessions, and leads guided meditations.
-
-
Powerful and eye-opening
- By Nicole Lopez Mendez on 07-06-19
By: Pema Chödrön
-
Making Friends with Your Mind
- The Key to Contentment
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 4 hrs and 32 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Have you ever found yourself thinking your way into a tangle of fret, frustration, or gloom? And then something small - a few kind words, the sun glancing through the clouds, a warm cup of tea - gave you a welcome pause from all your inner chatter? With Making Friends with Your Mind, that's what Pema Chödrön helps us to do, not by chance but with our full intention: to stop fighting with our thoughts and reopen ourselves to wonder as naturally as we breathe.
-
-
Love Pema but....
- By Cenandra on 05-11-17
By: Pema Chödrön
-
Getting Unstuck
- Breaking Your Habitual Patterns and Encountering Naked Reality
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chodron
- Length: 3 hrs and 24 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On Getting Unstuck, Pema Chodron introduces a rare Tibetan teaching she received from her teacher, Dzigar Kontrul Rinpoche, and one that has become critical to her practice. Here, she unveils the mystery of an ineffable quality; a "pre-emotional" feeling that arises in us, brings us discomfort, and causes us to react by escaping the discomfort, often with harmful habits. With Getting Unstuck, she offers us a first look at "both the itch and the scratch": what Tibetan Buddhists call shenpa.
-
-
Concrete solutions for addictive behavior
- By Annie M. on 05-12-09
By: Pema Chödrön
-
Fail, Fail Again, Fail Better
- Wise Advice for Leaning into the Unknown
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 1 hr and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When her granddaughter was accepted to Naropa University, the celebrated author Pema Chödrön promised that she'd speak at the commencement ceremony. Fail, Fail Again, Fail Better contains the wisdom shared on that day. "What do we do when life doesn't go the way we hoped?" begins Pema. "We say 'I'm a failure.'" But what if failing wasn't just "okay"... but the most direct way to becoming a more complete, loving, and fulfilled human being?
-
-
The perfect listen at the perfect time!
- By BARBARA J NELSON on 01-22-16
By: Pema Chödrön
-
Don't Bite the Hook
- Finding Freedom from Anger, Resentment, and Other Destructive Emotions
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 3 hrs and 2 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Life has a way of provoking us with traffic jams and computer malfunctions, with emotionally distant partners and crying children - and before we know it, we're upset. We feel terrible, and then we end up saying and doing things that only make matters worse. But it doesn't have to be that way, says Pema Chödrön. It is possible to relate constructively to the inevitable shocks, losses, and frustrations of life so that we can find true happiness. The key, Pema explains, is not biting the "hook" of our habitual responses.
-
-
Useful and practical, but extreme and illogical
- By Eduard Georgiev on 06-01-20
By: Pema Chödrön
-
Perfect Just as You Are
- Buddhist Practices on the Four Limitless Ones: Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chödrön
- Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Spiritual practice, Pema Chödrön teaches, has nothing to do with self-improvement, since, as the course's title claims, you're already perfect right now. The limitless qualities of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity are your deep-down, ultimate reality, and those are qualities that can't be improved upon. If you're not feeling particularly kind, compassionate, joyful, or equanimous at the moment, take heart: the Four Limitless Ones are there like seeds, waiting to be cultivated through practice.
-
-
This is not a book
- By ToCatinhat on 10-13-20
By: Pema Chödrön
-
The Pema Chodron Audio Collection
- By: Pema Chödrön
- Narrated by: Pema Chodron
- Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Pema Chodron, one of the West's most beloved teachers of Buddhism, makes the Tibetan vajrayana tradition accessible in today's world. Now three of her most popular teachings are available in one audiobook set.
-
-
Ancient insights for a Modern Audience
- By Tricia, Audible Editor on 04-11-12
By: Pema Chödrön
Publisher's Summary
What would happen if we looked with fresh eyes at the struggles and "impossible situations" that we face every day - and found there four gifts that changed everything?
For decades, Pema Chödrön has brought clarity and heart to the core teachings of the Buddha, helping to make them relevant and useful in our everyday lives. With The Truth of Our Existence, she immerses us in one of Buddhism’s essential distillations of written wisdom known as The Four Marks of Existence.
These marks that shape all of us, teaches Pema Chödrön, are like forgotten gifts waiting to be found. And while they may ring familiar to some, they hold vast layers of often unrealized understanding to both new and seasoned ears alike. In this four-session learning program, Pema Chödrön illuminates for us:
- The truth of impermanence and its power to give us strength and courage
- The truth of egolessness - how it connects us with others and transforms fear and anger into clarity of vision
- The truth about suffering, how we create it, and what to do when it seems unbearable
- The truth of peace - that liberation or nirvana is real
- How to use the wisdom of this profound sutra to touch the open and abundant expanse in which we truly dwell
With The Truth of Our Existence, Pema Chödrön invites us to see that there is, in reality, "no score to settle", and that we can step out of confusion, frustration, and fear - and into the space of heartful awareness.
More from the same
What listeners say about The Truth of Our Existence
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Margaret O'Connor
- 01-02-16
Authentic
No posturing or glib rote, just pure, spontaneous wisdom from the heart. Makes you feel whole, warts and all.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bearinthehouse
- 03-21-15
Excellent, as always
Very comforting and expansive to listen to this new recording by Pema. The subjects, the questions, the answers, suggestions -- are hard, filled with ways to try to release control in response to deep losses and sadness. Many painful situations with challenging ways to move forward. And as always, amazingly, humor and laughter woven throughout.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- GARY EMES
- 01-15-15
Which is Best..who knows anymore
Where does The Truth of Our Existence rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
Just when I think I found the best Pema audible ....another pops up....and THIS ONE...may be ( again ) my favorite
What about Pema Chödrön’s performance did you like?
WItty. enlightened..what more could someone want in a seminar
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
YES
Any additional comments?
Listen ....listen in bed...listen while making supper...listen instead of the TV....it will touch You
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Courtney H.
- 07-15-15
Lovely
Lasy chapter especially wowed me. Thank you Pema. Your honesty, candor, and wisdom is remarkable.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Linda SK
- 06-17-15
Wonderful
Pema Chödrön brings humor and gentleness to the difficult places in life. This was my first exposure to Chödrön but won't be the last. Buddhist philosophy that is accessible to anyone with any background.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Stefanie C. Barthmare
- 10-28-18
Another star in Pema’s galaxy
During this audio a retreat participant thanked her for bringing in the”other side of spirituality,” and Pema replied with humility and humor, “the dark side.” And it’s that dark side, our humanity that Pema speaks to with relatable stories of life as a fellow traveler.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- jenn
- 07-25-15
One of her best
I love anything Pema! This has become my favorite audio of hers as I think with her usual humor, wisdom and relatable style she encapsulates many core teachings. A must listen.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anne D
- 05-03-20
Excellent follow-up to her other works
This audiobook includes recordings of several live presentations during a retreat. Very good, but I wouldn’t recommend this for a person’s first introduction to Pema Chödrön’s work. The content is somewhat more casual, light and entertaining, and seems to build on a foundation of previous understanding of Buddhist principles. One of the great features, as always, is Pema Chodron’s voice and her clear style of speaking. Very engaging and worthwhile.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Linda Day-Emerson
- 03-28-20
Shouting from the rooftop!
Pema Chodron is a fabulous teacher. She speaks so gently and simply yet never speaks down to anyone. I always feel like I am in the room with her when she speaks. Thank you Pema!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- MF
- 08-29-19
Excellent
Pema never disappoints. Her teachings here refer to impermanence & death, egolessness, suffering and peace, and with her usual kindness and humor she leads us to understand how to bring these teachings into our every day life. Excellent!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Annette
- 08-19-14
Pema at her best
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
yes
Any additional comments?
Clear, concise, helpful, relevant - the expected Pema toolbox with plenty of humour and kindness
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Farfallina
- 03-26-16
The Truth of our Existence
Always such sage advice from Ani Pema. Her knowledge, humour and teachings are invaluable. Thank you to all for making her teachings available _/|\_
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Brother Yonten
- 02-19-20
Simply wonderful
Another no nonsense classic Dharma teaching from Ven. Pema where she opens up the Buddha's teachings & draws upon her insights to explain.