---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Although it is embarrassing and painful…"
description: "\"Although it is embarrassing and painful, it is very healing to stop hiding from yourself. It is healing to know all the ways that you’re sneaky, all th..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3d/pema-ch-dr-n-327_criticize_although-it-is-embarrassing-and-painful_1476967.png"
---

#  Although it is embarrassing and painful, it is very…

![“Although it is embarrassing and painful, it is very healing to stop hiding from yourself. It is healing to know all the ways that you’re sneaky, all the ways that you hide out, all the ways that you shut down, deny, close off, criticize people, all your weird little ways. You can know all of that…” quote by Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3d/pema-ch-dr-n-327_criticize_although-it-is-embarrassing-and-painful_1476967.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3d/pema-ch-dr-n-327_criticize_although-it-is-embarrassing-and-painful_1476967.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3d/pema-ch-dr-n-327_criticize_although-it-is-embarrassing-and-painful_1476967.png)

> “Although it is embarrassing and painful, it is very healing to stop hiding from yourself. It is healing to know all the ways that you’re sneaky, all the ways that you hide out, all the ways that you shut down, deny, close off, criticize people, all your weird little ways. You can know all of that with some sense of humor and kindness. By knowing yourself, you’re coming to know humanness altogether. We are all up against these things. We are all in this together.”

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Encourages honest self‑examination with humor and kindness, recognizing hidden patterns to foster collective humanity and healing.

**In simple terms:** Self‑awareness and kindness heal personal and shared suffering.

Key Takeaway

Practice compassionate self‑reflection.

Themes

mindfulness healing self‑compassion

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

spiritual self‑help

When to use this quote

- therapy
- personal growth workshops
- support groups

Key Concepts

psychology spirituality

Questions to Reflect On

- What hidden habits limit your growth?
- How can humor aid self‑acceptance?

A Different Perspective

Self‑criticism can hinder progress if not balanced.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Criticize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticize/) [Deny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deny/) [Embarrassing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embarrassing/) [Healing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healing/) [Hide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hide/) [Hiding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hiding/) [Hiding Healing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hiding-healing-5373618/) [Humanness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanness/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Know yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-yourself/) [Knowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowing/) [Knowing yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowing-yourself/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Painful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painful/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Sense of humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-humor/) [Sneaky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sneaky/) [Stop Hiding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop-hiding-728824/) [Together](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/together/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Ways Hide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ways-hide-3462446/) [Your weird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your-weird-211675/)

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> [Now every idiot from high school's like, 'I'm back!' We weren't supposed to meet again. Stop poking me and inviting me to your weird…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-schumer/now-every-idiot-from-high-school-s-like-i-m-back-we-weren-t-supposed/)

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> [There's all different kinds of people, but I don't think it's that unusual that once you get like a little power, you get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/there-s-all-different-kinds-of-people-but-i-don-t-think-it-s-that/)

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> [For a short period of time, I was like, I have these jokes and if people get them, they get them. And then eventually,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-mirman/for-a-short-period-of-time-i-was-like-i-have-these-jokes-and-if/)

[Eugene Mirman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-mirman/)

> [Put your weird in your work!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-victore/put-your-weird-in-your-work/)

[James Victore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-victore/)

> [Its OK to be weird. And maybe your weird is my normal. Whos to say? I think its an attitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-gaga/its-ok-to-be-weird-and-maybe-your-weird-is-my-normal-whos-to-say-i/)

[Lady Gaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-gaga/)

> [Don't be afraid to be awesome. Sometimes being weird and different is good. When you think you're working hard, there is always someone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-macinnes-wood/don-t-be-afraid-to-be-awesome-sometimes-being-weird-and-different-is/)

[Jacqueline MacInnes Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-macinnes-wood/)

> [We see how beautiful and wonderful and amazing things are, and we see how caught up we are. It isn’t that one is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/we-see-how-beautiful-and-wonderful-and-amazing-things-are-and-we-see/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [Stop hiding your feelings when a guy asks you what's wrong, just tell him! We don't read minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-hiding-your-feelings-when-a-guy-asks-you-what-s-wrong-just-tell/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [You've got the words to change a nation But you're biting your tongue You've spent a life time stuck in silence Afraid you'll say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ve-got-the-words-to-change-a-nation-but-you-re-biting-your-tongue/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Don't let your thoughts and flaws get the best of you. Stop hiding your qualities and start showing them everyone has something special about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-lee-riner/don-t-let-your-thoughts-and-flaws-get-the-best-of-you-stop-hiding/)

[Justin Lee Riner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-lee-riner/)

> [I'll show you how," Peter said. "Stop hiding behind your ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-wynne-jones/i-ll-show-you-how-peter-said-stop-hiding-behind-your-ignorance/)

[Diana Wynne Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-wynne-jones/)

> [Stop, hiding out in the shadows Scared to show the world you exist Don't, lock yourself in the darkness The world is so much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-lynch/stop-hiding-out-in-the-shadows-scared-to-show-the-world-you-exist-don/)

[Ross Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-lynch/)

> [“I’ve got to stop this. Stop worrying about the why. Stop forcing what was happening into the realm of impossible. Stop hiding behind excuses.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deatri-king-bey/i-ve-got-to-stop-this-stop-worrying-about-the-why-stop-forcing-what/)

[Deatri King-Bey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deatri-king-bey/)

## More by Pema Chodron

> [“LIFE’S work is to wake up, to let the things that enter into your life wake you up rather than put you to sleep.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/life-s-work-is-to-wake-up-to-let-the-things-that-enter-into-your-life/)

[Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [Since death is certain and the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/since-death-is-certain-and-the-time-of-death-is-uncertain-what-is-the/)

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> [The essence of generosity is letting go. Pain is always a sign that we are holding on to something - usually ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-generosity-is-letting-go-pain-is-always-a-sign-that-we/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [“If the object of meditation were something concrete, something solid and graspable - an image or a statue or a dot on the floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-the-object-of-meditation-were-something-concrete-something-solid/)

[Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

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[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

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> [“But in this meditation technique, we are with the out-breath; there's no particular instruction about what to do until the next out-breath.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/but-in-this-meditation-technique-we-are-with-the-out-breath-there-s/)

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[Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [Every day is a new opportunity to work with what you have inside toward enlightenment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/every-day-is-a-new-opportunity-to-work-with-what-you-have-inside/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

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[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

[Explore all 664 Pema Chodron quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

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[Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/)

> [If our aim is to praise, we should forget to criticize; if our aim is to criticize, we should remember to praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/if-our-aim-is-to-praise-we-should-forget-to-criticize-if-our-aim-is/)

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[Mel Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-brooks/)

> [Men can be divided into 2 groups: one that goes ahead and achieves something, and one that comes after and criticizes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/men-can-be-divided-into-2-groups-one-that-goes-ahead-and-achieves/)

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> [When we criticize in Iran the actions of the government, the fundamentalists say that we and the Bush Administration are in the same camp.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/when-we-criticize-in-iran-the-actions-of-the-government-the/)

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