--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Things falling apart is a kind of testing…" description: "\"“Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af5/pema-ch-dr-n-327_fall-apart_things-falling-apart-is-a-kind-of-testin_1439663.jpg" --- # Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind… ![“Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just…” quote by Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af5/pema-ch-dr-n-327_fall-apart_things-falling-apart-is-a-kind-of-testin_1439663.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af5/pema-ch-dr-n-327_fall-apart_things-falling-apart-is-a-kind-of-testin_1439663.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af5/pema-ch-dr-n-327_fall-apart_things-falling-apart-is-a-kind-of-testin_1439663.jpg) > ““Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that.”” [Pema Chödrön](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. She describes cycles of disruption and healing as ongoing tests, noting that problems rarely resolve completely but recur, offering continual growth. **In simple terms:** Life’s challenges repeat, offering ongoing learning. Key Takeaway Accept cycles of disruption as growth opportunities. Themes resilience healing impermanence Mood reflective calm Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - personal crises - relationships - career setbacks Key Concepts psychology spirituality growth Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond when patterns repeat? - What can you learn from ongoing challenges? A Different Perspective Not all disruptions lead to positive change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fall apart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fall-apart/) [Falling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/falling/) [Falling apart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/falling-apart/) [Overcome Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcome-problem-930528/) [Things Falling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-falling-296073/) [Things Falling Apart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-falling-apart-213898/) ## Related quotes > [“Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/things-falling-apart-is-a-kind-of-testing-and-also-a-kind-of-healing-2/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“We think that the point is to pass the test or overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don't really get solved.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/we-think-that-the-point-is-to-pass-the-test-or-overcome-the-problem/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don't really get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/we-think-that-the-point-is-to-pass-the-test-or-to-overcome-the/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Perhaps the real point of life is simply to wear us down until we have no choice but to start abandoning our defenses. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katrina-kenison/perhaps-the-real-point-of-life-is-simply-to-wear-us-down-until-we/) [Katrina Kenison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katrina-kenison/) > [“I guess the whole world is made up of things coming together and things falling apart,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-wing-smith/i-guess-the-whole-world-is-made-up-of-things-coming-together-and/) [Emily Wing Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-wing-smith/) > [Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/things-falling-apart-is-a-kind-of-testing-and-also-a-kind-of-healing-3/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“In her classic book "When Things Fall Apart," Pema Chodron says that everyone and everything is always falling apart. At times we are benefited…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zenju-earthlyn-manuel/in-her-classic-book-when-things-fall-apart-pema-chodron-says-that/) [Zenju Earthlyn Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zenju-earthlyn-manuel/) > [Sometimes when things seem to be falling apart, they are actually falling into place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-when-things-seem-to-be-falling-apart-they-are-actually/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Things that are falling apart encourage me: whatever else, I’m in better shape than they are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/things-that-are-falling-apart-encourage-me-whatever-else-i-m-in/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“You could study the connections for years and never work it out-it was all about things coming together,things falling apart,time warp, my mother standing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-tartt/you-could-study-the-connections-for-years-and-never-work-it-out-it/) [Donna Tartt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-tartt/) > [I liked turning 40. Maybe I had a crisis earlier or something. Maybe I had it in my 30s. One thing that sucks though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-pitt/i-liked-turning-40-maybe-i-had-a-crisis-earlier-or-something-maybe-i/) [Brad Pitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-pitt/) > [Everything is falling together perfectly, even though it looks as if some things are falling apart. Trust in the process you are now experiencing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/everything-is-falling-together-perfectly-even-though-it-looks-as-if/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [Sometimes when things seem falling apart, they might actually be falling into place. Just have patience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/sometimes-when-things-seem-falling-apart-they-might-actually-be/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [Keep your chin up when things around you are falling apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/keep-your-chin-up-when-things-around-you-are-falling-apart/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes when things are falling apart, They may actually be falling into place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-when-things-are-falling-apart-they-may-actually-be-falling/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Pema Chödrön > [“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 Chödrön quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## More Fall apart quotes > [“Dear Delphine, When you are older I want you to find Chinua Achebe. I want you to read Things Fall Apart. Don't be hardheaded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-williams-garcia/dear-delphine-when-you-are-older-i-want-you-to-find-chinua-achebe-i/) [Rita Williams-Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-williams-garcia/) > [“As his ears rang and his heart broke for her, he stayed strong against the gale force she let loose. After all, there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/as-his-ears-rang-and-his-heart-broke-for-her-he-stayed-strong-against/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [I've realized that life is indeed full of contradictions. Sometimes its crazy to be sane.You need to fall to fly. People suffer because you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-realized-that-life-is-indeed-full-of-contradictions-sometimes/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“He presses two fingers against each eye and attempts to account for this crippling melancholy, but is having trouble with rational thought. It feels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/he-presses-two-fingers-against-each-eye-and-attempts-to-account-for/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [But I am only human and I bleed when I fall down I am only human and I crash and I break down u…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/human/but-i-am-only-human-and-i-bleed-when-i-fall-down-i-am-only-human-and/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/human/) > [There's always a race against time. I don't think for one moment that life gets better. How can it? One's body starts to fall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-grahame/there-s-always-a-race-against-time-i-don-t-think-for-one-moment-that/) [Gloria Grahame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-grahame/) > [The truth will form and fall apart again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-slean/the-truth-will-form-and-fall-apart-again/) [Sarah Slean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-slean/) > [Creative ideas aren't like Jenga blocks, where they fall apart and you've got to start from scratch, though it can feel that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-catmull/creative-ideas-aren-t-like-jenga-blocks-where-they-fall-apart-and-you/) [Edwin Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-catmull/) > [“Sometimes when we go through transitions, we aren’t aware of the impact they have on us. Stress, doubt, and even depression commonly result from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/sometimes-when-we-go-through-transitions-we-aren-t-aware-of-the/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [Or maybe a person is just made up of a lot of peopleMaybe we’re accumulating these new selves all the time. Hauling them in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jandy-nelson/or-maybe-a-person-is-just-made-up-of-a-lot-of-peoplemaybe-we-re/) [Jandy Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jandy-nelson/) > [“That’s the thing about boys. Maybe just Irish boys. Boys have No Go Areas, they have an entire geography of places you can’t go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niall-williams/that-s-the-thing-about-boys-maybe-just-irish-boys-boys-have-no-go/) [Niall Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niall-williams/) > [Russia can fall apart. It's not because of the oil prices ... It's because what sticks a country together is a common interest of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilya-ponomarev/russia-can-fall-apart-it-s-not-because-of-the-oil-prices-it-s-because/) [Ilya Ponomarev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilya-ponomarev/) > [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/) > [I was full of a hot, powerful sadness and would have loved to burst into the comfort of tears, but tried hard not to,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/i-was-full-of-a-hot-powerful-sadness-and-would-have-loved-to-burst/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [At a certain point, I felt the need to submit to a higher level of religiosity to move away from my intuition and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matisyahu/at-a-certain-point-i-felt-the-need-to-submit-to-a-higher-level-of/) [Matisyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matisyahu/) [Browse all 830 Fall apart quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fall-apart/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. 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