--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: it is only to the extent that we are…" description: "\"it is only to the extent that we are willing to expose ourselves again and again to annihilation that we are able to find that part of ourselves that i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/pema-ch-dr-n-327_able_it-is-only-to-the-extent-that-we-are-wil_731474.jpg" --- # it is only to the extent that we are willing to expose… ![“it is only to the extent that we are willing to expose ourselves again and again to annihilation that we are able to find that part of ourselves that is indestructible.” quote by Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/pema-ch-dr-n-327_able_it-is-only-to-the-extent-that-we-are-wil_731474.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/pema-ch-dr-n-327_able_it-is-only-to-the-extent-that-we-are-wil_731474.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/pema-ch-dr-n-327_able_it-is-only-to-the-extent-that-we-are-wil_731474.jpg) > “it is only to the extent that we are willing to expose ourselves again and again to annihilation that we are able to find that part of ourselves that is indestructible.” [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. Facing repeated vulnerability reveals an inner resilience that cannot be destroyed. **In simple terms:** Exposing ourselves to risk uncovers indestructible inner strength. Key Takeaway Embrace risk to discover lasting resilience. Themes vulnerability resilience self‑discovery courage Mood reflective determined hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - Therapy - creative work - physical training - spiritual practice - relationship conflict Key Concepts Buddhist psychology impermanence inner strength Questions to Reflect On - What risks have you avoided that could strengthen you? - How can you balance exposure with recovery? A Different Perspective Repeated exposure can lead to burnout if not balanced with self‑care. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Annihilation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/annihilation/) ## Related quotes > [Only to the extent that we expose ourselves over and over to annihilation can that which is indestructible in us be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/only-to-the-extent-that-we-expose-ourselves-over-and-over-to/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“I used to have a sign pinned up on my wall that read: Only to the extent that we expose ourselves over and over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/i-used-to-have-a-sign-pinned-up-on-my-wall-that-read-only-to-the/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [I realized I wasn't going to find a man until I was willing to expose myself to possible harm, to assume the risks of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/i-realized-i-wasn-t-going-to-find-a-man-until-i-was-willing-to-expose/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [We hope President Obama will now respect the will of the people, change course, and commit to making the changes they are demanding. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boehner/we-hope-president-obama-will-now-respect-the-will-of-the-people/) [John Boehner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boehner/) > [If you are willing to expose your heart...being publicly private, you just may do something...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-dern/if-you-are-willing-to-expose-your-heart-being-publicly-private-you/) [Bruce Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-dern/) > [You have to be willing to expose yourself, at least to yourself, to get to some kind of truth about a character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-harris/you-have-to-be-willing-to-expose-yourself-at-least-to-yourself-to-get/) [Ed Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-harris/) > [“The real distinction between being great and being less great seems to be the extent to which we are willing to be pushed along…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-brown/the-real-distinction-between-being-great-and-being-less-great-seems/) [Melanie Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-brown/) > [“Being willing to expose your ignorance can be hard, until you learn the costs of not doing so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/being-willing-to-expose-your-ignorance-can-be-hard-until-you-learn/) [Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/) > [You may command nature to the extent only in which you are willing to obey her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-russell/you-may-command-nature-to-the-extent-only-in-which-you-are-willing-to/) [Walter Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-russell/) > [I am a firm believer that you can have the body you want, only to the extent that you're willing to work for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-heard/i-am-a-firm-believer-that-you-can-have-the-body-you-want-only-to-the/) [Amber Heard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-heard/) > [Love is indestructible. It's holy flame forever burneth; from Heaven it came, to Heaven returneth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-southey/love-is-indestructible-it-s-holy-flame-forever-burneth-from-heaven-it/) [Robert Southey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-southey/) > [The books remind us that way down deep in our hearts, part of us knows that we are creatures of light and we cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/the-books-remind-us-that-way-down-deep-in-our-hearts-part-of-us-knows/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [To be sure, the ancient belief that the dream reveals the future is not entirely devoid of truth. By representing to us a wish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/to-be-sure-the-ancient-belief-that-the-dream-reveals-the-future-is/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [I am a wire-walker. I can walk any time, anywhere - I'm indestructible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/i-am-a-wire-walker-i-can-walk-any-time-anywhere-i-m-indestructible/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [The Soul is not composed of any materials. It is unity indivisible. Therefore it must be indestructible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-soul-is-not-composed-of-any-materials-it-is-unity-indivisible/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) ## 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. 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/) > [It's a transformative experience to simply pause instead of immediately fill up the space. By waiting, we begin to connect with fundamental restlessness as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/it-s-a-transformative-experience-to-simply-pause-instead-of/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“The essence of life is that it’s challenging. 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. Nothing ever really attacks us except our own confusion. Perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/nothing-ever-goes-away-until-it-has-taught-us-what-we-need-to-know/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [So even if the hot loneliness is there, and for 1.6 seconds we sit with that restlessness when yesterday we couldn't sit for even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/so-even-if-the-hot-loneliness-is-there-and-for-1-6-seconds-we-sit/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If you have rage and righteously act it out and blame it all on others, it's really you who suffers. The other people and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-you-have-rage-and-righteously-act-it-out-and-blame-it-all-on/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“When we realize that the path is the goal, there’s a sense of workability. 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 Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. 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I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. 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