55 pages • 1 hour read
Pema ChödrönWhen Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1997A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön provides spiritual guidance on transcending life's pain through Tibetan Buddhist mindfulness techniques and is a compilation of her talks on acceptance, loving-kindness, meditation, and becoming open to both joyful and uncomfortable experiences. The book stresses facing fear, addressing the reality of death, and embracing compassion as ways to alleviate personal and collective suffering.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Pema Chödrön's When Things Fall Apart is praised for its compassionate and accessible guidance on navigating life's difficulties. The teachings, rooted in Buddhist philosophy, offer practical insights for emotional resilience. Critics, however, argue that the advice can feel repetitive and oversimplified for complex issues. Overall, the book is valued for its comforting and uplifting approach.
Who Should Read When Things Fall Apart?
Readers who appreciate When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön typically seek spiritual wisdom, resilience, and mindfulness techniques. Ideal for fans of Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now and Thich Nhat Hanh's The Miracle of Mindfulness, these readers explore inner peace during life's turbulent times.