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  • Getting Unstuck

  • Breaking Your Habitual Patterns and Encountering Naked Reality
  • Written by: Pema Chödrön
  • Narrated by: Pema Chodron
  • Length: 3 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (163 ratings)

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Getting Unstuck

Written by: Pema Chödrön
Narrated by: Pema Chodron
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Publisher's Summary

Have you ever had an itch, and not scratched it? In the Buddhist tradition, this points to a vast paradox: that by refraining from our urge to "scratch", great peace and happiness is available. On Getting Unstuck, Pema Chodron introduces a rare Tibetan teaching she received from her teacher, Dzigar Kontrul Rinpoche, and one that has become critical to her practice. Here, she unveils the mystery of an ineffable quality; a "pre-emotional" feeling that arises in us, brings us discomfort, and causes us to react by escaping the discomfort, often with harmful habits. With Getting Unstuck, she offers us a first look at "both the itch and the scratch": what Tibetan Buddhists call shenpa.

On this new, full-length recording, Pema Chodron, best-selling author and beloved American Buddhist nun, shows us how to recognize shenpa, catch it as it appears, and develop a playful, lively curiosity toward it. Join Pema Chodron to discover more about:

  • Critical mind: how to recognize this fundamental shenpa, and approach yourself and others with a sense of humor and loving-kindness
  • Ways to unravel the patterns of self-denigration, and develop the fundamental maitri, loving-kindness, toward yourself
  • How to cultivate acceptance of your irritability, insecurities, and other simply human traits
  • Recognition, Refrain, Relaxing, and Resolve: the four R's of working with shenpa, and more

    An urge comes up, we succumb to it, and it becomes stronger, teaches Pema Chodron. We reinforce our cravings, habits, and addictions by giving into them repeatedly. On Getting Unstuck, Chodron guides us through this "sticky feeling", exploring the moments when we get hooked, and offers us tools for learning to stay with our uneasiness, soften our hearts toward ourselves and others, and live a more peaceful life in the fullness of the present moment.

  • ©2005 Pema Chodron (P)2005 Sounds True

    What the critics say

    "Chodron demonstrates how effective the Buddhist point of view can be in bringing order into disordered lives." (Publishers Weekly)

    What listeners say about Getting Unstuck

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    Never enough

    Pema Chodron's voice is comforting. I'm going to listen to this audiobook a few more times.

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    3 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars

    healing power for the mind and soul

    I love Pema Chodron's recordings.
    They are my go-to for clarity, being and wellness and I refer them to all my loved ones.

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    1 person found this helpful

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    • nb
    • 2023-09-02

    Simple, helpful, insightful

    The simplicity and clarity of Pema Chodron’s approach makes is easy to tend to this difficult topic many struggle with. She provides clear and manageable tools and practices.
    She is also a great narrator. I love her absolute honesty and lightness!

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    • Overall
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    Loved it!

    I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Pema Chödrön in this recording of a workshop. It was well recorded, easy to listen to, and very enjoyable. I got a lot out of it as well. I’m going to listen many more times.

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    • Overall
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    A Gem !

    Pema Chodron is a gift. Her clarity, wisdom and humour shine brightly. This book is a succinct explanation of one of the most profound and simple approaches to being human, dealing with our “monkey minds” and connecting with our innate goodness and compassion. Such a gift!!!

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    • Overall
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    Pema Rocks

    Infinitely relateable. Persistently inspiring. The sound of her voice steadies my heart head and hand.

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    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars
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    Attachment is suffering

    Listen to this if you are looking for inspiration to meditate or be more aware
    Her humour and humility were amazing.

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    Very Interesting

    This is my first book of this kind, so pretty much all concepts were new to me, but I found the way of thinking very interesting. It has inspired me to look further into it.

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    • Sam
    • 2021-04-22

    Cheapest trip to an Abbey you can buy.

    This is an audio recording of some lectures that she did which I didn’t realize, so the quality of the recording surprised me initially. But don’t let that deter you! I really enjoyed the intimacy of this listen. If you can’t make it to hear a talk by Pema in person, then this is the next best thing. Cheapest trip to an Abbey you can buy.

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    • Kryton2725
    • 2008-05-28

    I'm Still Scratching...But...

    I've lost track of how many times I have listened to this book... at least 5 times... I always hear something new each time... (big surprise huh?..)... She is a delight!... Yes... I'm still still scratching... But... her insights have allowed me to see the itch... Just listening has brought about a very profound understanding of the itch we all have (any one of several hundred thousand or several million things)... and increased my awareness to the next level... For anyone on "The Path"... this is a Very Special Book and MUST LISTEN!!.... Thank you for reading my review...

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    70 people found this helpful

    • Overall
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    • CrzGzr
    • 2008-12-01

    Subtle help and healing

    I listened to this a few times and it seemed interesting but nothing clicked. Then I started experiencing my usual anxiety before the holiday arrival of my 'high maintenance" in-laws; I listened to the audio again and it calmed me and helped me realize their behavior need not effect me. During the visit, I remained focused, no buttons were pushed and I was able to speak up and stand on my own feet metaphorically. I also was able to analyze some of their more hurtful comments and realize they came from places within their history and had nothing to do with me. It was an almost fun visit, at the very least survivable. The only downside is that hey had so much fun they are coming back much sooner than usual.

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    65 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars
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    • JB from OlyWa
    • 2007-05-13

    Don't Need A Crowbar

    This is a wonderful, very helpful talk about how to enter into your life completely. Pema's main point has to do with "Learning to Stay", which refers to the fact that we stay stuck because we run away from things we don't like and therefore never learn the lessons that these events/feelings are offering us.
    This audiobook is very easy to listen to and doesn't contain a whole lot of Buddhist jargon. Pema does use a few Tibetan terms but explains them very well so that they become part of your vocabulary.
    Overall, this book is extremely practical and offers valuable practices we can use to make our lives happier. I would say that is a pretty good return on your investment.

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    61 people found this helpful

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      5 out of 5 stars
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    • Annie M.
    • 2009-05-12

    Concrete solutions for addictive behavior

    WISDOM FOR ALL, NOT JUST BUDDHISTS: If you have already ventured into mindfulness meditation (if not, check out Jon kabat-Zinn's "Mindfulness Meditation for Beginners" or one of Chodron's introductory books), then this is a great next step, especially if you want to get unstuck from "sticky" issues that hold us all back.

    Pema speaks compassionately in her lyrical, embracing voice about coming to terms with issues such as anger, fear, and substance abuse. There are several very useful Q & A sessions, in which Chodron counsels audience members struggling with obsessions. From food to the rage that can sometimes live in activists who want to change the world for the better, Pema offers concrete solution.

    This book offers readers the courage to face--and embrace--sticky issues. If you are seeking help for alcohol abuse, food addictions, rage, or grief--then Chodron's advice will help. I will listen to this audio book over and over. It pours a lot of wisdom and hope into my earbuds.

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    49 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars
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    • James
    • 2005-10-24

    The Essence of Practice

    Pema Chodron is one of the few teachers that can cut to the heart of the human condition with gentleness. The ability to lay bare the harshest truths of ourselves while still holding us in the heart of true compassion is her signature. I found myself willing to experiment and apply these practices to areas of life which I've been protecting.

    This series of talks covers the practice of shamatha meditation in great depth, coming at it from several different angles. It specializes in the mechanism of attachment and the role this plays in our suffering, especially in the form of repeating patterns and addictions.

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    45 people found this helpful

    • Overall
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    • Julie
    • 2006-12-17

    Golden

    Five out of five! Why not? We each have a point of view, each as valid as the next.

    How rare and fortunate: to experience the teachings of Pema Chodron as if you were right there with her, sitting on your cushion, knees aching, back screaming, skin crawling, mind racing -- wondering, worrying, evaluating, judging, pressing, pushing, pulling, loving, hating -- struggling to stay awake, falling asleep, inspired beyond words, dazed with clarity, lost in convoluted complexity of authentic, screaming to get up and out of the room, out of your life and into another, more manageable one. And then she laughs at herself.... And you laugh uncontrollably at yourself.... a blissful moment of utter relief.

    Then - Repeat.

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    41 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars
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    • Jackie
    • 2008-03-02

    Thank you Pema

    Wow. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is suffering in the past. Pema is a delight to listen to, I am not a book on tape person, but she is easy on the ears and engaging. I was so moved in parts of this speech, due to her kind and gentle voice, that explained things I was unable to recognize. I will be purchasing more of her audio books, as she has a lot more to teach me.

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    22 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars
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    • Kim
    • 2009-12-20

    Everyone Must Listen

    This audio is so inspiring, spiritual, and personal. Pema Chodron's naration is exquisit, she is so turely compasionate in helping us touch our own soul. She helped me go deep inside and look into my soul to really understand my true emotions and gave me the teaching necessary to go deep and step outside of my self, letting go of ego as well as fear bringing my meditation to a higher level.

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    13 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      3 out of 5 stars
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    • Kirk McElhearn
    • 2007-04-09

    So-so...

    I've read a fair number of books on Buddhism, and find it interesting to listen to teachings given extemporaneaously as well. I had never read or heard Pema Chodron before this, and find her spoken style to be quite attractive. However, there is little Buddhism in this recording, and little about meditation - there is much more what would, in different trappings, be called "pop psychology" than anything else. Sure, she gives some interesting insights, but not much of what she says really has a lot to do with Buddhism or meditation.

    I'm sure others will feel differently, and perhaps this is the direction in which western Buddhism is moving - a merging of pop psychology and meditation with an emphasis on the former. Or, at least, perhaps this is what people want to hear under the category "Buddhism". I don't know; to each their own.

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    8 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      4 out of 5 stars
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    • William
    • 2008-12-06

    Loved it!

    You wold think Buddhism would be boring but Pema was so funny and engaging that I would like to this over and over and over again.

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    6 people found this helpful