Past Event February Lecture: Pain and Compassion by Pema Chödron

Pema Chodren introduces us to the 10th Century teachings of Atisha that have been passed down in an unbroken lineage to the present day by all 4 schools of Tibetan Buddhism. In essence it teaches us how to undue neurotic behavioral patterns by taming the mind and cultivating loving-kindness.

There’s no way to make a dreadful situation pretty. But we can use the pain of it to recognize our sameness with other people. Shantideva said that since all sentient beings suffer from strong, conflicting emotions, and all sentient beings get what they don’t want and can’t hold on to what they do want, and all sentient beings have physical distress, why am I making such a big deal about just me? Since we’re all in this together, why am I making such a big deal about myself? The attitude of the ferryman is that whatever usually drags us down and causes us to withdraw into ourselves is the stepping-stone for awakening our compassion and for contacting the vast, unbiased mind of the warrior.
– Pema Chödron

February 9th, 2025

1-2pm Group Meditation Instruction

2-4pm YouTube Teaching

Any amount of donation is deeply appreciated.

Sarasota Meditation and Art Gallery 
at Art Avenue Gallery
3501 S. Tamiami Trail #107
Sarasota, FL