Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Places That Scare You summary
Brief summary
The Places That Scare You by Pema Chödrön is a guide to embracing fear and finding joy in the midst of uncertainty and change. It offers practical teachings and exercises for cultivating compassion and courage in our daily lives.
Topics
Table of Contents
The Places That Scare You
Summary of key ideas
Embracing Fear and Uncertainty
In The Places That Scare You, Pema Chödrön, a Buddhist nun, and a renowned teacher, invites us to explore the concept of fear and uncertainty. She begins by acknowledging that fear is a natural part of life and that we all experience it. Instead of avoiding or denying it, she encourages us to embrace it and use it as a tool for growth and transformation.
Chödrön introduces the idea of the 'three difficult practices': embracing uncertainty, relaxing into the groundlessness of our situation, and experiencing our emotions fully. She explains that these practices are challenging because they go against our natural instincts to seek comfort and security. However, she argues that by facing our fears head-on, we can develop resilience and courage.
Developing Compassion and Kindness
Continuing in The Places That Scare You, Chödrön delves into the concept of compassion, both for ourselves and others. She emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, explaining that we must first be kind to ourselves before we can extend that kindness to others. She suggests that we should treat ourselves as we would treat a good friend, with understanding, patience, and forgiveness.
Chödrön also discusses the practice of 'tonglen', a Tibetan meditation technique that involves breathing in the suffering of others and breathing out compassion. She explains that this practice helps us develop empathy and compassion for others, even those we may consider our enemies. By doing so, we can break down the barriers that separate us from others and cultivate a sense of interconnectedness.
Transforming Negative Emotions
Chödrön then explores the nature of negative emotions such as anger, jealousy, and resentment. She argues that these emotions are not inherently 'bad', but rather opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Instead of suppressing or acting on these emotions, she suggests that we should acknowledge and investigate them with curiosity and openness.
She introduces the concept of 'bodhichitta', the awakened heart, which is the desire to alleviate suffering and bring happiness to others. Chödrön explains that by transforming our negative emotions into compassion and kindness, we can cultivate bodhichitta and live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Living with Openness and Vulnerability
In the latter part of The Places That Scare You, Chödrön discusses the importance of living with openness and vulnerability. She argues that our instinct to protect ourselves from pain and discomfort often leads to isolation and disconnection. Instead, she encourages us to embrace vulnerability as a source of strength and authenticity.
Chödrön concludes by reminding us that life is inherently uncertain and that we cannot control everything that happens to us. However, by embracing the places that scare us, we can develop the courage and resilience to face life's challenges with an open heart and a compassionate mind.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Places That Scare You about?
The Places That Scare You by Pema Chodron is a deeply insightful book that challenges us to embrace and work through our fears. Drawing from Buddhist teachings and her own experiences, Chodron offers practical advice and techniques to find peace and courage in the face of life's uncertainties. This book is a guide to transforming our struggles into opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
The Places That Scare You Review
The Places That Scare You by Pema Chodron (2001) is a thought-provoking book that delves into the nature of fear and provides transformative teachings on how to navigate through it. Here's why this book is definitely worth a read:
- With its insightful guidance on embracing fear and uncertainty, it offers practical tools to cultivate courage and resilience in our lives.
- Chodron skillfully weaves Buddhist philosophy, personal stories, and practical advice, making the book both enlightening and relatable.
- The book encourages readers to embrace vulnerability and explore the depths of their own minds, ultimately leading to personal growth and self-discovery.
Who should read The Places That Scare You?
- Individuals who struggle with fear and anxiety
- People looking to develop a more mindful and compassionate approach to life
- Readers who are open to Buddhist philosophy and practices
Categories with The Places That Scare You
Book summaries like The Places That Scare You
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
36 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Places That Scare You FAQs
What is the main message of The Places That Scare You?
The main message of The Places That Scare You is finding courage and compassion in the face of fear and uncertainty.
How long does it take to read The Places That Scare You?
The reading time for The Places That Scare You varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in approximately 15 minutes.
Is The Places That Scare You a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Places That Scare You is worth reading for its insights into overcoming fear and finding inner strength. A valuable read.
Who is the author of The Places That Scare You?
The author of The Places That Scare You is Pema Chodron.
What to read after The Places That Scare You?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Places That Scare You, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Happiness by Richard Layard
- The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama
- Positivity by Barbara L. Fredrickson
- The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
- Savor by Thich Nhat Hanh and Lilian Cheung
- The Antidote by Oliver Burkeman
- Focus by Daniel Goleman
- The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt
- Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi