Ache Quote by Pema Chodron
“Instead of asking ourselves, 'How can I find security and happiness?' we could ask ourselves, 'Can I touch the center of my pain? Can I sit with suffering, both yours and mine, without trying to make it go away? Can I stay present to the ache of loss or disgrace-disapp ointment in all its many forms-and let it open me?' This is the trick.”
About This Quote
Source Book: When Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron, 1996
The quote urges confronting pain directly rather than seeking comfort, suggesting that staying present with suffering can transform us.
In simple terms: Face pain head‑on instead of escaping it.
Embrace suffering to grow.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- grief counseling
- therapy sessions
- meditation practice
- conflict resolution
- personal crisis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you sit with discomfort without judgment?
- What does staying present to loss reveal about yourself?
Avoiding pain can lead to numbness and missed insight.