--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Awareness is the key. Do we see the…" description: "\"Awareness is the key. Do we see the stories that we're telling ourselves and question their validity? When we are distracted by strong emotion, do we r..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb1/pema-ch-dr-n-327_awareness_awareness-is-the-key-do-we-see-the-stori_2069819.jpg" --- # Awareness is the key. Do we see the stories that we're… ![“Awareness is the key. Do we see the stories that we're telling ourselves and question their validity? When we are distracted by strong emotion, do we remember that it is our path? Can we feel the emotion and breathe it into our hearts for ourselves and everyone else? If we can remember to…” quote by Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb1/pema-ch-dr-n-327_awareness_awareness-is-the-key-do-we-see-the-stori_2069819.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb1/pema-ch-dr-n-327_awareness_awareness-is-the-key-do-we-see-the-stori_2069819.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb1/pema-ch-dr-n-327_awareness_awareness-is-the-key-do-we-see-the-stori_2069819.jpg) > “Awareness is the key. Do we see the stories that we're telling ourselves and question their validity? When we are distracted by strong emotion, do we remember that it is our path? Can we feel the emotion and breathe it into our hearts for ourselves and everyone else? If we can remember to experiment like this even occasionally, we are training as a warrior. And when we can't practice when distracted but KNOW we can't, we are still training well. Never underestimate the power of compassionately recognizing what's going on.” [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. Awareness lets us notice our inner narratives and emotions, allowing compassionate response rather than reaction. **In simple terms:** Notice thoughts and feelings, respond with compassion. Key Takeaway Practice mindful awareness regularly. Themes mindfulness compassion self‑awareness Mood calm reflective Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - stressful work - conflict - personal growth - meditation - parenting Key Concepts Buddhist practice psychology emotional regulation Questions to Reflect On - How can you pause before reacting? - What practices help you stay present? A Different Perspective When emotions overwhelm, awareness can be fleeting. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Awareness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness/) [Breathe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathe/) [Distracted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distracted/) [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Emotion Breathe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion-breathe-3944561/) [Emotion Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion-remember-1698334/) [Experiments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experiments/) [Feel Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-emotion/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keys/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Never underestimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never-underestimate/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Recognizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognizing/) [Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong/) [Strong emotions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-emotions/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) [Underestimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/underestimate/) [Validity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/validity/) [Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/warrior/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [“Our habitual patterns are, of course, well established, seductive, and comforting. Just wishing for them to be ventilated isn’t enough. Mindfulness and awareness are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/our-habitual-patterns-are-of-course-well-established-seductive-and/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [for how can you remember the feel of pleasure or pain or choking emotion? You can remember only that you had them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/for-how-can-you-remember-the-feel-of-pleasure-or-pain-or-choking/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [The quickest, simplest, and most powerful way I know to handle any emotion is to remember a time when you felt a similar emotion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/the-quickest-simplest-and-most-powerful-way-i-know-to-handle-any/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [You must remember this feeling, Jon. The feeling of being happy. 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Pull yourself out from that emotion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupi-kaur/you-have-to-really-understand-that-although-certain-memories-or/) [Rupi Kaur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupi-kaur/) > [Never underestimate the power of compassionately recognizing what's going on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/never-underestimate-the-power-of-compassionately-recognizing-what-s/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Never underestimate the desire to bolt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/never-underestimate-the-desire-to-bolt/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Awareness is the key. Do we see the stories that we're telling ourselves and question their validity?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/awareness-is-the-key-do-we-see-the-stories-that-we-re-telling/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [It was almost enough to make me feel emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lindsay/it-was-almost-enough-to-make-me-feel-emotion/) [Jeff Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lindsay/) > [I am so happy when I feel emotion about the way my team plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pep-guardiola/i-am-so-happy-when-i-feel-emotion-about-the-way-my-team-plays/) [Pep Guardiola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pep-guardiola/) > [Whether it's an inspiring song or whether it's an entertaining song - whatever it might be about it - I just want people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-gokey/whether-it-s-an-inspiring-song-or-whether-it-s-an-entertaining-song/) [Danny Gokey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-gokey/) > [That's the mark of a really great actor, when he can make you feel the emotion without having to search for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omarion/that-s-the-mark-of-a-really-great-actor-when-he-can-make-you-feel-the/) [Omarion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omarion/) > [One day, I want to be able to stand with my head up proud. 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You have the right to feel any emotion that you want, and to do what makes you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/never-be-ashamed-of-what-you-feel-you-have-the-right-to-feel-any/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) ## 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/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Buddhist words such as compassion and emptiness don't mean much until we start cultivating our innate ability simply to be there with pain with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/buddhist-words-such-as-compassion-and-emptiness-don-t-mean-much-until/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [The essence of generosity is letting go. 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Sometimes it is sweet, and sometimes it is bitter. Sometimes your body tenses, and sometimes it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-life-is-that-it-s-challenging-sometimes-it-is-sweet/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If we run a hundred miles an hour to the other end of the continent in order to get away from the obstacle, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-we-run-a-hundred-miles-an-hour-to-the-other-end-of-the-continent/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“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/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know. 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Trungpa Rinpoche said, “Whatever occurs in the confused mind is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/when-we-realize-that-the-path-is-the-goal-there-s-a-sense-of/) [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/) > [If someone comes along and shoots an arrow into your heart, it’s fruitless to stand there and yell at the person. It would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-someone-comes-along-and-shoots-an-arrow-into-your-heart-it-s/) [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/) ## More Awareness quotes > [An enlightened awareness is within each one of us, right at this moment. 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