Pema Chödrön: Good Medicine

Simply sitting in a chair, facing the audience, the Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön calmly and patiently explains how we can heal our illnesses: those physical, mental, and spiritual maladies that plague us. After defining and underscoring the importance of spiritual awareness, Chödrön explains how maitri--the unconditional friendship with one's self--can begin to transform each of us into more compassionate beings, extending the concept of "good medicine" outward as well as inward. As funny as she is philosophical, Chödrön recalls a recent day spent with her 6-year-old granddaughter, when she experienced…she pauses, thinks, nods and says…"aggression." Admitting that she's human, Chödrön says she had to bribe the child not to tell anyone how grandma totally lost it. She also shares with us the gift of tonglen, a traditional breathing meditation, dating from the 11th century, where one breaths in pain and suffering and exhales compassion and well-being (also explored in Pema Chödrön & Alice Walker in Conversation, reviewed in VL-7/99). Sharing her philosophy for right living and mindfulness, while urging us to begin now, Chödrön 's message is good medicine indeed. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (N. Plympton)