Perfect Just as You Are: Buddhist Practices on the Four Limitless Ones--Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Joy,and Equanimity

by Pema Chödrön

Spiritual practice, Pema Chödrön teaches, has nothing to do with self-improvement, since, as the course’s title claims, you’re already perfect right now. The limitless qualities of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity are your deep-down, ultimate reality, and those are qualities that can’t be improved upon. If you’re not feeling particularly kind, compassionate, joyful, or equanimous at the moment, take heart: the Four Limitless Ones are there like seeds, waiting to be cultivated through practice—and, being limitless, they’re rich enough to be worked with for a lifetime.  This intensive program of study and practice provides the tools you need to access these radiant states and to nurture their growth for sake of all beings, including yourself.  Here’s some of what you’ll learn:

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How cultivating the Four Limitless Ones is the antidote to depression, irritation, and isolation
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Basic meditation instructions to get you started in the foundational practice
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A wealth of guided meditations for generating these radiant qualities to yourself, others, and the world
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Writing and reflection exercises to bring the Four Limitless Ones powerfully  into real life
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A simple chant you can use to create love and good will around yourself
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Powerful on-the-spot practices you can use throughout the day, even when there’s “no time to practice”


Do the program at your own pace. It fits perfectly with any other kind of meditation you’re doing. And since no previous knowledge of Buddhism is required, it’s also ideal for those new to spiritual practice.  After you’ve completed the material in Perfect Just as You Are, you’ll want to listen to it again periodically–any time you need a refresher course in compassion, loving-kindness, equanimity, and joy.  

8 CDs, 8 hours.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook, Philosophy, Meditation

8 pages, Audio CD

First published April 14, 2009

About the author

Ani Pema Chödrön (Deirdre Blomfield-Brown) is an American Buddhist nun in the Tibetan tradition, closely associated with the Kagyu school and the Shambhala lineage.

She attended Miss Porter's School in Connecticut and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. She taught as an elementary school teacher for many years in both New Mexico and California. Pema has two children and three grandchildren.

While in her mid-thirties, she traveled to the French Alps and encountered Lama Chime Rinpoche, with whom she studied for several years. She became a novice nun in 1974 while studying with Lama Chime in London. His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa came to England at that time, and Ani Pema received her ordination from him.

Ani Pema first met her root guru, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, in 1972. Lama Chime encouraged her to work with Trungpa, and it was with him that she ultimately made her most profound connection, studying with him from 1974 until his death in 1987. At the request of the Sixteenth Karmapa, she received the full bikshuni ordination in the Chinese lineage of Buddhism in 1981 in Hong Kong.

Ani Pema served as the director of the Karma Dzong, in Boulder, CO, until moving in 1984 to rural Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to be the director of Gampo Abbey. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave her explicit instructions on establishing this monastery for western monks and nuns.

Ani Pema currently teaches in the United States and Canada and plans for an increased amount of time in solitary retreat under the guidance of Venerable Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche.

Reviews

[kiki thelibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this while driving and did myself a disservice as I could not participate in the meditation practices Pema leads, or really dive deep into the ideas she explores here. But, there were messages I really needed to hear in this audiobook, and came to love Pema's style, so will definitely be pursuing some of her other works!

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was on the look out for content on Audible that explored a range of Buddhist practices in more detail, and 'Perfect Just as You Are' did not disappoint. Loving-Kindness is one area of my own meditation practice that I tend to find more challenging and this course was full of useful insight and practical strategies. As others have stated here, Pema's style of communication is excellent and she is full of charisma! I'm still not sure what I think about the 'live audience' setting - I felt the laughter in the background didn't always lend itself well to the overall experience. I also felt there was a fair amount of repetition, but perhaps the purpose of that was to consolidate her points. All in all, there is a lot to take from this and Pema is a pleasure to listen to.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Ideas:

+ Compassionate (or open, kind, loving, calm) attention empowers positive feelings and disempowers painful negative feelings

+ Everyone has a deep reservoir of compassion (or openness, kindness, love, calm, peace) but we often block this free flow. We can bring compassionate attention to where we are blocked. The capacity to love is limitless
- Give your compassionate attention to your free-flowing love and where it gets blocked

+ Look underneath the storyline of words and contact the quality of the feeling. For example, what does “I can't handle it” feel like as a quality of energy or sensation in the body?

[Liz Lem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this on Audible. I love the sound of Pema Chödrön’s voice and the wisdom she imparts. I’m working on staying connected to other sentient beings in a truly compassionate connection. It’s difficult because I often feel others pain like it’s my own. Pema Chödrön gives great advice and meditations to sit on the edge and not get caught up in the story lines that we tell ourselves. Her work is life changing and I so appreciate her.

[Kelly Fitzpatrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished in one day. Didn't do the meditations along with the audio-book, I will admit.

I didn't know it was going to be practice alongside and do the meditations w/ the class- type of book. The information covered was also pretty heady so this wouldn't be my recommendation for a Pema book by any measure.

Not her best.

[Susan Brearley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my book #5 for my 200 book challenge for 2019. This was an excellent resource - full of Pema's infectious humor, delivered with compassion and love. Includes wonderful practices and meditations. Highly recommended.

[Lisa Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find it helpful to listen to Pema on a regular basis

[Patrick Hanlon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The presentation format was not as appealing nor perhaps as deep as some of her other books that were written for a reading audience. Still her humour and insight come through in refreshing manner.

[Alysse Aallyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A helpful retreat from Buddhist Pema Chodron in how to stop torturing ourselves and become part of the Great Happiness. Highly recommended.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

fabulous!

[Alice]

I love Pema Chodron- she’s funny and soothing, but opted to not finish this one. It’s a series of guided meditations/lectures, and after the first few, they felt repetitive and weren’t what I was looking for.