Pema Chödrön is a highly respected and influential Tibetan Buddhist nun and teacher. She was born in 1936 in New York City, and her given name was Deirdre Blomfield-Brown. She grew up in a middle-class family and had a relatively normal childhood.

Her parents were both avid spiritual seekers and exposed her to various religious and spiritual teachings from a young age. However, it wasn't until she attended college at the University of California, Berkeley, that she became interested in Buddhism.

In 1974, Pema Chödrön traveled to the remote village of Tassajara, California, to attend a meditation retreat led by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a renowned Tibetan Buddhist teacher. This retreat was a turning point in her life, and she decided to become a Buddhist nun and devote herself to the study and practice of Buddhism.

After receiving her monastic vows from Trungpa Rinpoche, she took on the name Pema Chödrön, which means "lotus dharma" in Tibetan. She then spent several years studying and practicing in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition under Trungpa Rinpoche's guidance.

In 1984, Pema Chödrön was appointed as the director of Gampo Abbey, a Buddhist monastery in Nova Scotia, Canada, founded by Trungpa Rinpoche. She held this position for several years, during which she also received teachings and guidance from another esteemed Buddhist teacher, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche.

Pema Chödrön's teachings and writings have been greatly influenced by her personal experiences, including her struggles with alcoholism and her divorce. She has openly shared these challenges and how her Buddhist practice has helped her overcome them, making her teachings relatable and accessible to many.

She has written several books, including "When Things Fall Apart" and "The Places That Scare You," which have become bestsellers and have been translated into multiple languages. She also travels extensively, giving talks and leading retreats, and has become a beloved figure in the Western Buddhist community.

Pema Chödrön's background and upbringing have played a significant role in shaping her as a teacher and spiritual leader. Her early exposure to various spiritual teachings, combined with her own personal struggles and her deep commitment to the Buddhist path, have made her a compassionate and wise teacher, inspiring countless individuals to find peace and wisdom through Buddhism.