Sounds True
Sounds True Presents

Embracing the Unknown

A Four-Part Online Course on Letting Go and Welcoming Change

When you realize that every moment is a “between” moment, you begin to recognize the immense power in present-moment awareness. Join Pema in her exploration of the Book of the Dead, grasping the bardo of the everyday, and cultivating the courage necessary to face change head-on.
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Pema Chödrön
Pema Chödrön

An Invitation to You from Pema Chödrön

Even though it is an intrinsic and unavoidable part of life, our culture as a whole doesn’t like to talk about death. For many of us, the concept is not only frightening, but nearly taboo—a grim shadow overhanging everything, silent and dreadful.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, it shouldn’t.

When you’ve engaged in deep Buddhist practice for as long as I have, it’s impossible not to become familiar with The Tibetan Book of the Dead. This extraordinary text—part of a much larger cycle of foundational teachings—details a specific Buddhist view on what happens to you after death.

Specifically, the Book of the Dead explores the concept of bardo, the in-between space that opens beyond death and leads eventually into reincarnation. The state of bardo does not wait for you at some unknown moment in the future; it is already here, woven throughout the liminal spaces of our days. And when you come to understand that, enormous opportunities for awakening become available to you.

“Death isn’t just something that happens at the end. Life is continually arising, dwelling, ceasing, and arising. It’s a cycle that goes on every day, and continues to go on forever.”

—Ani Pema—

This is why I created Embracing the Unknown, a new online course devoted to exploring the context and meaning of the Book of the Dead, grasping the bardo of the everyday, and cultivating the courage necessary to face change head on. When you realize that every moment is a “between” moment, you also begin to recognize the immense power available in present-moment awareness.

Embracing the Unknown is a potent entry point to Buddhist philosophy, but its thorough exploration of the bardo also makes it ideal for advanced practitioners. Not only will you hear my own thoughts on death and change, you’ll also learn directly from Timothy Olmsted, one of my favorite and most frequent collaborators.

Change is inevitable. Fear of change is not. Join me in Embracing the Unknown to discover why we really do need to talk about death, and thus come to appreciate the rebirth available in every single moment of life.

With you on the journey,

Ani Pema Chödrön

About Your Teachers

Pema Chödrön

Pema Chödrön

Pema Chödrön is an American-born Buddhist nun and the author of many modern-day spiritual classics, including The Wisdom of No Escape, Start Where You Are, When Things Fall Apart, The Places That Scare You, No Time to Lose, Practicing Peace in Times of War, How to Meditate, and Living Beautifully. She serves as resident teacher at Gampo Abbey Monastery in Nova Scotia.

Tim Olmsted

Tim Olmsted

Tim Olmsted is the founder and president of the Pema Chödrön Foundation. He has been Pema Chödrön’s assistant teacher for her Omega programs since 2007 and is the former director of Gampo Abbey Monastery in Nova Scotia.

When You Enroll in Embracing the Unknown, You'll Experience . . .

The Truth of the Bardo

Find out how being between an ending and a beginning gives us an unparalleled opportunity for transformation.

The Question of Rebirth

Look closely at this concept and how it arises in our moment-to-moment experience.

How to Let Go

Gain guidance for honoring the difficult emotions of fear, sadness, and grief with an open and curious heart.

Preparing for the Inevitable

Learn meditation techniques and everyday practices for befriending change, groundlessness, and the unknown.

Your Journey with Embracing the Unknown

Throughout four sessions, this video course explores and unpacks the concept of the bardo and how it weaves throughout every moment of your life.

Part One:
Welcoming Groundlessness
Join Pema for an introduction to The Tibetan Book of the Dead and the concept of the bardo. Acknowledging that death and dying can be difficult concepts to engage with, Pema explains that your uncertainty around them can actually be a portal into deeper insights. She also considers how you can deal skillfully with strong emotions that arise during this journey.
Part Two:
Dwelling in the Uncertainty of Life
What does it mean to be between life and death, ending and beginning? Pema shares her view that you can live with inherent senses of joy and connection so long as you engage fully with the “passing moments” of your days. She also encourages you to craft personal mantras from those small vignettes of life.
Part Three:
Finding Peace in the Bardo
Why should you dwell upon and within liminal places? Here Tim Olmsted reveals that the bardo can be touched in every single moment—for every moment contains some aspect of change. Learn how to cultivate peace and the natural ease of “the between.”
Part Four:
The Future Is the Present

Yes, there is great power in the bardo—but what does that mean for your daily life? Pema and Tim cap off the course by teaching you how to welcome every aspect of your senses through meditation and samatha practice. Even unpleasant or unwanted experiences contain the seeds of spiritual fulfillment.

Join Pema for an introduction to The Tibetan Book of the Dead and the concept of the bardo. Acknowledging that death and dying can be difficult concepts to engage with, Pema explains that your uncertainty around them can actually be a portal into deeper insights. She also considers how you can deal skillfully with strong emotions that arise during this journey.

What does it mean to be between life and death, ending and beginning? Pema shares her view that you can live with inherent senses of joy and connection so long as you engage fully with the “passing moments” of your days. She also encourages you to craft personal mantras from those small vignettes of life.

Why should you dwell upon and within liminal places? Here Tim Olmsted reveals that the bardo can be touched in every single moment—for every moment contains some aspect of change. Learn how to cultivate peace and the natural ease of “the between.”
Yes, there is great power in the bardo—but what does that mean for your daily life? Pema and Tim cap off the course by teaching you how to welcome every aspect of your senses through meditation and samatha practice. Even unpleasant or unwanted experiences contain the seeds of spiritual fulfillment.

What Pema's Students Are Saying . . .

Duncan S.
Duncan S.
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“This is a course that helps us to navigate transitions, and the spaces in-between, both for end-of-life experience and in our lives each day. Pema and Tim's teachings are accessible, helpful, and useful. Highly recommended.”
Margo B.
Margo B.
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“Embracing the Unknown is ancient wisdom for modern times. As many of us are navigating new and unknown situations (and the stress and anxiety they bring!), the content in this course offers practical knowledge and tools for managing major life crises to simply getting more cozy with the essence of life’s unpredictable nature.”
Colleen
Colleen
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"I have never ever tired listening to dear Pema. She feels like an old friend! Love her humor, her calming presence, her down-to-earth way of transmitting wisdom, and her ability to make us feel OK with the way we are as we make our way on this incredible journey."

What You'll Receive When You Enroll

Nine Hours of Video Training
Across four major parts, both Pema and her assistant meditation instructor, Tim Olmsted, will guide you on a journey beyond death and into the heart of the bardo.
Three Q&A Sessions Recorded During a Live Broadcast
In these sessions, you'll get a taste of live teachings with Pema. As Pema answers direct questions from an audience, she expands and enriches concepts from the main course.
Lifetime Access
Receive lifetime access to all video trainings, guided meditations, and bonus materials—the entire course is yours to keep forever.
Enroll Now

What You'll Receive

Embracing the Unknown
Nine Hours of Video Training
Across four major parts, both Pema and her assistant meditation instructor, Tim Olmsted, will guide you on a journey beyond death and into the heart of the bardo.
Two Q&A Sessions Recorded During a Live Broadcast
In these sessions, you'll get a taste of live teachings with Pema. As Pema answers direct questions from an audience, she expands and enriches concepts from the main course.
Lifetime Access
For as long as you have an internet connection, you can access this course at any time and in any place you need it.
Enroll Now

PLUS!
Enroll Now and Receive These Bonuses to Complement Your Journey

Liberation Upon Hearing in the Between: Living with the Tibetan Book of the Dead

Robert Thurman, considered one of the greatest scholars of Buddhist thought in the West, presents a downloadable audio that illuminates the Book of the Dead.

Walking the Walk: Putting the Teachings into Practice When It Matters Most

In this downloadable audio presentation, Ani Pema details how to cross the gulf between spiritual theory and everyday application of those principles.

Begin your journey today into Embracing the Unknown

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All orders are processed on a secure server. If you prefer to order by phone, call 1 (800) 333-9185.

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100% Money Back Guarantee

If you are not 100% satisfied for any reason, simply return it for a full refund for up to one year.

visa, master card, american express, and discover credit card icons
Secure Checkout

All orders are processed on a secure server. If you prefer to order by phone, call 1 (800) 333-9185.

100% Money Back Guarantee

If you are not 100% satisfied for any reason, simply return it for a full refund for up to one year.

Secure Checkout

All orders are processed on a secure server. If you prefer to order by phone, call 1 (800) 333-9185.

100% Money Back Guarantee

If you are not 100% satisfied for any reason, simply return it for a full refund for up to one year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Embracing the Unknown is not intended to be a complete introduction to Buddhist thought, and as such we recommend that you at least know the basics of this belief system. That said, this course also contains straightforward instruction about the bardo, the Book of the Dead, and Tibetan Buddhist philosophy that beginners can understand and appreciate.
Even if you’ve read modern translations of The Tibetan Book of the Dead, Pema’s and Tim’s thoughts on this seminal text are both subtle and applicable in daily life. While Embracing the Unknown does explore the Book of the Dead in detail, the purpose of the course is primarily to discover the power and wisdom of in-between places and moments.

If you experience any issues while viewing this program, please visit our Help Center to find answers to commonly asked questions.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee
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We unconditionally guarantee your satisfaction with all Sounds True products for one year when purchased via our website. However, if you are not 100% satisfied for any reason, simply return it with receipt for a full refund.

Tami Simon, Founder of Sounds True
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Presence FAQ

Can I participate in an Inquiry discussion group?

The Diamond Approach is offering live, online Inquiry groups to accompany this course at a discounted rate — $100 for eight, 90-minute sessions, where you’ll take turns with other students working one-on-one with an expert teacher. This is completely optional and available after purchasing Presence.

 

How do I purchase Presence: Venture into the Heart of Enlightenment?

You can purchase it here.

 

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I already have the bonus in my library. Can I substitute it for something else?

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Live sessions are viewable on Mac and PC. You can stream them on Android and Apple mobile devices through the browser. If you are not using WiFi, please check with your mobile carrier, as additional data rates may apply.

 

How do I know what time live sessions start if I live abroad or in a different time zone?

All events are Eastern Time unless otherwise noted. Here is the schedule. Please use a time zone converter of your choice or thetimezoneconverter.com.

 

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  • If you can’t hear anything, check the two places your volume is controlled. One is your video player and the other is your computer.

 

Are the sessions live or prerecorded?

The course videos are prerecorded. Videos noted as “Live” are live.

 

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Click here for the Sounds True return policy.