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What are some of her most well-known quotes and mantras?

Pema Chödrön is a highly respected Tibetan Buddhist nun and teacher, known for her wisdom, compassion, and insightful teachings. Throughout her career, she has shared many powerful quotes and mantras that have resonated with people around the world. Here are some of her most well-known ones:

  1. "The only reason we don't open our hearts and minds to other people is that they trigger confusion in us that we don't feel brave enough or sane enough to deal with. To the degree that we look clearly and compassionately at ourselves, we feel confident and fearless about looking into someone else's eyes." This quote speaks to the importance of self-reflection and compassion in our relationships with others.

  2. "You are the sky. Everything else - it's just the weather." This mantra reminds us that we are not defined by our thoughts or emotions, but rather we are the vast and ever-present awareness that holds them.

  3. "The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently." This quote reminds us of the importance of self-awareness and the harm that can come from avoiding it.

  4. "Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It's a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others." This quote speaks to the importance of understanding and accepting our own flaws before we can truly be compassionate towards others.

  5. "The most difficult times for many of us are the ones we give ourselves." This quote reminds us that often, we are our own worst enemies and that we have the power to change our mindset and reactions to difficult situations.

  6. "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. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It's just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy." This quote reminds us that life is a continuous cycle of ups and downs and that true healing comes from accepting and embracing all aspects of our experience.

Pema Chödrön's quotes and mantras are a reflection of her deep understanding of the human experience and her commitment to helping others cultivate compassion and wisdom. They serve as powerful reminders to live with awareness, kindness, and acceptance towards ourselves and others.