Getting Unstuck

Breaking Your Habitual Patterns and Encountering Naked Reality

By: Pema Chödrön

Narrated by: Pema Chodron

Have you ever had an itch, and not scratched it? In the Buddhist tradition, this points to a vast paradox: that by refraining from our urge to "scratch", great peace and happiness is available. 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.

On this new, full-length recording, Pema Chodron, best-selling author and beloved American Buddhist nun, shows us how to recognize shenpa, catch it as it appears, and develop a playful, lively curiosity toward it. Join Pema Chodron to discover more about:

Critical mind: how to recognize this fundamental shenpa, and approach yourself and others with a sense of humor and loving-kindness

Ways to unravel the patterns of self-denigration, and develop the fundamental maitri, loving-kindness, toward yourself

How to cultivate acceptance of your irritability, insecurities, and other simply human traits

Recognition, Refrain, Relaxing, and Resolve: the four R's of working with shenpa, and more

An urge comes up, we succumb to it, and it becomes stronger, teaches Pema Chodron. We reinforce our cravings, habits, and addictions by giving into them repeatedly. On Getting Unstuck, Chodron guides us through this "sticky feeling", exploring the moments when we get hooked, and offers us tools for learning to stay with our uneasiness, soften our hearts toward ourselves and others, and live a more peaceful life in the fullness of the present moment.

©2005 Pema Chodron (P)2005 Sounds True

Critic reviews

"Chodron demonstrates how effective the Buddhist point of view can be in bringing order into disordered lives." (Publishers Weekly)

Excellent

You can relisten to this often. Pema is so down to earth and grounded. Her wisdom and experience and gentle humour make anything she records worth listening. Thanks Pema

Enjoyable listen

I'm not Buddhist, and don't know much about Buddism, but I love listening to Pema Chodron. I've listened to this several times and each time I enjoy it and get something new from it. Her delivery is so peaceful, yet fresh and humorous, too.

GREAT!

This is my favorite books of her, loved it!

Amazing voice, a calm inducing book

After listening to this book in its entirety, during my drives to work in my car everyday for a week or so, I started to crave the sound of Pema Chodron's voice. I am not exaggerating when I tell you how therapeutic that voice is. The concepts in her discourse are so relatable, and her insights are eye opening. Many times we believe we can FIX our issues, but Pema teaches you to stay with your self, experience those difficult feelings and soak it in - and when that happens, it allows you to move forward. Its a radically different way to look at things, and if you ask me, the only way. I am getting ready to play this book a second time around.

Pema Chodren 's Getting Unstuck

Excellent direction humor and the teaching of how to get past negative feelings and thoughts while still engaging in life

Good mix of practical, philosophical, and kind...

I read and listen to a lot of similar books. I'm interested in self-help books in general, but especially those touching on the spiritual. I typically look for a blend of philosophical and practical approach, and this offers it. Ms. Chodron doesn't offer you a step-by-step guide to spiritual Enlightenment. What she does is offer a very honest rendering of and often mysterious spiritual life, especially for those of us steeped in the Christian tradition. This is one of the few recordings I will listen to over and over again.

True, she doesn't exactly come up with anything new. Then again, the saying "there's nothing new under the sun" is well known for a reason. Like Eckhart Tolle, Pema Chodron takes material familiar to many but strikes a chord with her humility and an ability to influence others that is almost palpable.

valuable teachings

I have listened to this lecture series 4 times and always take away something new. excellent for people struggling with addictive behaviors.

Must read for all human beings

Would you consider the audio edition of Getting Unstuck to be better than the print version?

Pema's gentle humor and delightfully natural manner lend depth to the teachings.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Getting Unstuck?

Pema discusses how life progress and growth is never very smooth and is always a struggle when she says "our progress is 5 steps forward, 5 steps back, 5 steps forward 4 and 1/2 steps back." This attitude of the whole book allows for us to be both flawed and hopeful as we grow.

What about Pema Chodron’s performance did you like?

Everything! Her understated sense of humor and the way she laughs at herself is so refreshing. Her humbleness and wisdom go hand and hand and it's simply amazing to listen to her words flow so smoothly carrying you along with the story.

What did you learn from Getting Unstuck that you would use in your daily life?

That it's okay to be flawed and that while progress is slow, just the act of recognizing failure is, in itself, progress.

Any additional comments?

Very good book for anyone working to recover from addiction or has been effected by another person's addictive behaviors. Also good for human beings in general.

True wisdom on how to break free from harmful patterns

Such a lovely lecture. Well worth every penny for the Audible version. Would recommend listening to her other lecture, Don’t Bite the Hook, first. But both are great, for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

Meditation talks

These talks were excellent. I've read a lot of books about meditation and this one delved deep into concepts I hadn't heard much about. Most notably: shenpa. Highly recommend!