When Things Fall Apart

I’m sorry, but can we finally remove Frankenstein from every undergraduate Literature 101 course and demand instead that our brightest young minds read THIS? My college boyfriend’s mother gifted it (prescient) during my sophomore year, and I read it on repeat during that whole relationship… and through every major challenge that came after.

I have a particular appreciation for Chödrön, and any Tibetan Buddhist nun for that matter, who can, in one breath, extend the most heartfelt, accessible nugget for finding peace AND relay the experience of throwing a flower pot at her ex-husband's head. Namaste. 

Chödrön’s meditations drew me beyond myself and gave me hope when I saw no reason to hope. Although I felt blindsided by what had happened to me, this book helped me “zoom out” and see a larger picture infused with the possibility of peacefulness and acceptance.

I reread it many times because it encouraged me to be gentle with myself and allow time to help heal my sorrow.

I loved this book because it encourages moving toward painful situations when it can be quite easy to do the opposite, especially when we are tangled in chaos. I loved the guidance to lean in and surrender to turn negative patterns or past traumas into something positive, resulting in growth and transformation.

With my deep interest in spirituality, this profound read encouraged me to choose love over fear and provided solace ‘when things fall apart.’ It is an excellent read for those grieving. 

I love Pema Chodron’s down-to-earth directness and great sense of humor; this book offers both in abundance. Her words—infused with kindness and clarity—have reminded me, again and again, how to relax with whatever arises, welcoming the totality of my experience. I’ve learned that when I can do this, I can transform stressful situations into precious opportunities to cultivate kindness, compassion, and wisdom. 

I absolutely adore this book for insightful guidance on navigating life's inevitable difficulties. Pema gently urges us to embrace uncertainty and, through mindfulness and compassion, find peace even amidst chaos. What’s not to love about that?! 

I have never read anything filled with such wisdom, psychological insight, and practical suggestions for personal transformation.

Far from a self-help book, When Things Fall Apart encourages the reader to develop a straightforward relationship with reality—the world around us. This elderly American Buddhist nun presents a compelling case that we need to accept all of it, including a willingness to experience our own distress—and learn from it.

I’ve tried writing about these topics in a non-fiction format and never matched Chodrin’s elegant, simple style. I fold in many of the same ideas in my novels via my characters’ voices, which… show more.

I learned in my grief that the experience of loss can open the door wide for personal growth and transformation. Pema Chodron’s book brings the possibility of gentle healing through the lens of Buddhist practice. After the first year of loss, as I was beginning to regain some stability, this book helped me find my way into new spiritual practices. I used it to expand beyond old beliefs that no longer served me and into new ways of thinking and being. It grounded me in the context of suffering, helping me to see that I wasn’t alone; that suffering was… show more.

I organize many people whose lives have been touched by tragedy or trauma. It is reflected in their chaotic environments. I try and uncover the source of the chaos so that the client is free to investigate healing. There is no more powerful tool on that journey than Ms. Chodron’s book. I read it the first time when my life seemed to be falling apart. A dear friend recommended it after saying, “How exciting! Something new and wonderful must be headed your way!” Perception, intention, and expectation of good can be our friends, especially when coupled with uncovering and releasing… show more.

Appreciating the beauty around us and feeling calm inside can seem easy when all goes well in our lives, but Pema Chödrön's When Things Fall Apart offers insight into how the basic Buddhist teaching can be essential lifelines during the most difficult times. Chödrön demonstrates with ease and compassion how our anxiety and fear can be turned into opportunities for growth, and she offers, most of all, hope for those who feel that their lives are “falling apart.” Even Oprah is a fan.