Accepting Quote by Pema Chodron
“One very powerful and effective way to work with this tendency to push away pain and hold on to pleasure is the practice of tonglen. In tonglen practice, when we see or feel suffering, we breathe in with the notion of completely feeling it, accepting it, and owning it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Places That Scare You, Pema Chodron, 2001
Tonglen invites us to breathe in suffering fully, transforming it into compassion rather than avoiding it for pleasure.
In simple terms: Accept pain, breathe it in, turn it into compassion.
Key Takeaway
Practice mindful breathing to embrace discomfort.
Themes
compassion
mindfulness
pain
pleasure
transformation
Mood
reflective
calm
Type
spiritual
inspirational
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- stressful workdays
- grieving
- personal growth
Key Concepts
Buddhist practice
emotional regulation
self‑acceptance
Questions to Reflect On
- How does breathing in pain change your response to it?
- Can you hold both pain and pleasure simultaneously?
A Different Perspective
May be challenging for those unaccustomed to confronting intense emotions.
