From Fear to Fearlessness

Essentially a review of familiar spiritual and metaphysical concepts, Chodron's lecture is a useful guide for beginners or a refresher course for those already "on the path." While it seems this material would have been more effective as a studio recording, rather than a meandering live lecture, Chodron knows her way around the lessons of karma, acceptance, and letting go. A more focused approach would benefit this recording, but if you're a fan of Chodron, you'll enjoy getting a sense of her personality and delivery. Production values are mediocre, as are those of most live lectures, a phenomenon that begs the Zen-like question: Why record this? D.J.B. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine


Pema Chodron is an American Buddhist nun, and her American sensibilities help temper this recording with wit, irreverence, and a homey familiarity. Chodron digs slowly and methodically to the core of our inner fears and trepidations, helping us along with guided meditations and easy-to-implement techniques. Never lacking humor and humility, the fearless Pema might be the local potter or craftsman sharing a cup of herbal tea with us as she teaches us the Four Noble Aspirations of Tibetan Buddhism--loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. D.B. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine