Another Kind of Freedom

by Pema Chodron

In a world of endless distractions and quick fixes that leave us wanting, beloved Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön, author of When Things Fall Apart, reveals why true freedom arises not in escape but in developing our natural capacity for presence, openness, and wholehearted acceptance.

What if the freedom you seek isn’t found by changing your circumstances but by embracing life exactly as it is? Pema Chödrön goes back to her very foundations in her latest and possibly most important book. With the spiritual classic The Myth of Freedom as the touchstone, Pema invites us to look beyond the “myth of freedom”—the idea that we can escape discomfort—and to work compassionately and wisely with what keeps us stuck.

Drawing from the seminal work from her beloved teacher Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Pema explores how meditation, mindfulness, and radical self-acceptance can transform our struggles, neuroses, and pain into gateways to awakening. “These were the teachings,” Pema says, “that inspired me most in my early years of practicing Buddhism. They continue to inspire me now and have influenced all the teachings I’ve given over the years.”

With her characteristic humor, practical wisdom, and compassionate insight, she shows us how to make friends with our minds, work skillfully with emotions, and open our hearts to the richness of human experience. Inspiring and accessible, this book is an essential companion for anyone longing for genuine freedom, clarity, and connection in a world of uncertainty and change.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Self Help, Buddhism

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2026

Reviews

[John Stepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another book by Pema Chödrön that makes me think and grow. Her recent interview with Ezra Klein nudged me to pick this up and I’m glad I did.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
wonderful book the only criticism is that sometimes the quotation could have been longer to make more context

[Julie]

While I gained helpful perspectives at first, I became increasingly unsettled by her writing a whole book about her guru without addressing the public stories of his abuse. (My internet deep dive led to more than drinking & philandering: thirteen-year-old's cannot give consent.). Seen through that lens, the glowy discussion of gurus became more cult-like as it went. Yes, we can potentially gain tidbits of wisdom from flawed humans, but we shouldn't avoid ugly stories, nuance or power dynamics. That sounds like the spiritual bypassing she often writes of.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some interesting things in here, but also some things that just didn't sit right for me.

While I find the choice of the word "infiltration" slightly odd, I particularly loved the advice to not separate yourself from the world and think of yourself as better. This is a huge problem right now and we could all spend a little more time trying to understand each other instead of congratulating ourselves on how much better we are than others. I've not read The Myth of Freedom, so a few things were lost on me but generally it seemed like she did a good job of creating insightful commentary on the work. I did occasionally wish the quotes were a bit longer or had a bit more context since I haven't read the original. That's partly on me though.

The part that just really didn't feel great to me was the section on teachers/gurus, especially considering Chögyam Trungpa's actions. It felt even weirder that she made no acknowledgement of the controversy around her teacher even though this seemed like the perfect place to do so. I don't know, maybe I just don't get vajrayana all that well, but the whole section on teachers just felt really icky to me.

[Melanie Briscoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! I adore Pema Chodron! She is an amazing individual who has this profound way of simplifying and strengthening the message of helpful Buddhist principles for engaging with life exactly as it comes. This work is kind of a “cliff notes” on some key concepts she discussed in a compilation she produced in the 1970s called the Myth of Freedom. This book is like a new flowering of these ideas which she makes so accessible. I loved it! If you are at all interested in becoming a saner person, less batted around by your own ego and that ego you experience in others, and less captive of suffering, then I encourage you to read her works! This one might be a great place to start!

[Toy G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐
This is the first book I've read by this author. I like her style. Chapters are concise and ideas are explained in a beginner friendly manner. Good stuff.

[KJ Grow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this commentary on Trungpa's The Myth of Freedom and the Way of Meditation in tandem with the newly released audiobook version of the original text, which I highly recommend. Together, the two books provide a kind of master class on the Buddhist path.

Trungpa's teachings, originally drawn from lectures given in the 1970s, still feel remarkably fresh and relevant. Chödrön complements them beautifully, offering additional context, personal anecdotes, and interpretation for contemporary readers. The concepts themselves are timeless, but Chödrön has a real gift for translating them for today's audience in a way that is warm, compassionate, funny, and profound.

I'd classify this as intermediate Chödrön. If you're coming to her work for the first time, you may want to start with When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion, or Living Beautifully with Uncertainty and Change. Readers already familiar with her work, however, will likely find this book to be very good medicine.

Because this book functions as a commentary on an already fairly sophisticated Trungpa text, I wouldn't recommend it as a first introduction to either author.

[Gabrielle Jarrett · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've loved Pema's books for a very long time. They've been a seriously important part of my Buddhist path. Up until now, she has avoided discussing the allegations against Trungpa Rinpoche. Her Switzerland approach is not ideal, but acceptable when she did express compassion toward the victims of his sexual and physical abuse, substantially reported. I was curious about what she would write in Another Kind of Freedom, a commentary on Trungpa's first two books. I was sorely disappointed, actually angered, as she quoted his advice and comments, which I saw as a playbook for spiritual (and other) leaders - How to Seduce your Students, Followers, (and voters) with Impunity. Obviously, there are enough believers in America who already value such a playbook in their votes. Back to Pema.
I don't believe in neutrality on sexual and physical abuse, and not regarding Trungpa Rinpoche. Pema was there during those times. While not fond of Martin Luther, I quote: Here I stand.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Pema Chodron introduces her readers to the teachings of Trungpa Rinpoche on the subject of what meditation is and isn’t. She uses his books to teach us the benefits of meditation by interpreting his insights on subjects like the myth of freedom and the way of meditation.

This is not a book to speed read your way through it. It is a book to savor, to pause throughout and ruminate on what she’s teaching us.

My thanks to Edelweiss and Shambala for an eARC.

[Mark Bourdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to note right away that this book is a companion to Chogyam Trungpa’s book, The Myth of Freedom and the Way of Meditation, which I read almost 20 years ago. After reading Another Kind of Freedom, I am motivated to reread The Myth of Freedom and read Another Kind of Freedom alongside it.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

really dense with information some of which was inspirational and some or which is far beyond me with regards to "the path to enlightenment"

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and insightful. It’s helped heal me with some of its perspectives.