This Is Why I Find Pema Chödrön So Essential

This Is Why I Find Pema Chödrön So Essential

From The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

May 15, 2026 · 1h 14m

About this episode

Ezra Klein discusses the essential teachings of Pema Chödrön on embracing difficult emotions and the art of mindfulness.

What do you do when you feel anxious or insecure? Many of us try to push the feeling away, or we ruminate on it, or try to solve it, or avoid the thought altogether. But what would happen if we did the exact opposite? The Buddhist nun and teacher Pema Chödrön is the author of many beloved books, including “When Things Fall Apart,” “Welcoming the Unwelcome” and — my personal favorite — “Comfortable With Uncertainty.” And she has a way of inviting people to befriend the parts of life that typically induce dread — from uncertainty and suffering to loss and discomfort. And she argues that the process of sitting with these experiences and emotions actually releases their power over us. In a time as chaotic and tumultuous as ours, she has so much practical wisdom to share. In this conversation, she shares what it looks like to actually let go of difficult emotions, the art of “collaborating with reality” when things don’t go as expected, and how to awaken yourself to the “nowness” of life. Mentioned: Comfortable with Uncertainty by Pema Chödrön When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön Welcoming the Unwelcome by Pema Chödrön Another Kind of Freedom by Pema Chödrön Book Recommendations…

People in this episode

Host: Ezra Klein

Guest: Pema Chödrön

Topics covered

  • anxiety
  • Buddhism
  • emotional well-being
  • mindfulness
  • personal growth

Keywords

  • Pema Chödrön
  • anxiety
  • Buddhism
  • mindfulness
  • emotional well-being

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Comfortable With Uncertainty, When Things Fall Apart, Welcoming the Unwelcome, Another Kind of Freedom, Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind

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