Did Pema Chodron Save Your Life? Your Sanity? Do You Have a Story to Tell?

November 19, 2012

Have you found solace or wisdom in the works of Pema Chödrön? Did reading or listening to Pema Chödrön save you during a hard time? Did she help you accept yourself, imperfections and all? In the midst of it, did you ever throw one of her books against the wall?

We are looking for authors to submit essays to an anthology about engaging the teachings of Pema Chödrön, which will be published by Pema’s publisher, Shambhala Publications, for the benefit of the Pema Chödrön Foundation. We want to hear from people who have been affected in one way or another by the writings or teachings of this woman who’s become one of the most wisely respected spiritual teachers or our day.

You don’t need to be a Buddhist (though it’s OK if you are) and just about any topics is acceptable — from the profound to the mundane. You don’t need to show the “right” way to practice Pema Chödrön’s teachings, just your way. Your piece can be juicy or humorous, stark or sad, or compelling or intellectual, as long as it demonstrates an engagement with Pema Chödrön’s work.

Submissions should refer to the specific teaching by Pema that inspired them — referencing the particular book, if appropriate. The reference can be as succinct as “Pema Chödrön teaches us that suffering open us up to empathy for others” followed by a tale of trying to practice her teachings on Tonglen, or as academic as a multiple quotes in a three page essay about Shenpa. Words like Tonglen and Shenpa do not have to appear in every essay.

Guidelines:

  • Deadline is January 2013
  • Submissions can be between 700 and 3,000 words.
  • Previously published work is fine if you hold the rights.
  • Rough drafts are welcome and will be seen as permission to send back editing, encouragement and nagging.
  • Send submissions to [email protected]. See www.juliaquery.com
  • Subject line: Submission for Pema Anthology
  • Your attached submission, in Microsoft Word should be titles: PEMAYOURNAME
  • Hard copy submissions should be double spaced and with a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) if you desire the manuscript to be returned. Julia Wallace, C/O Wallace, 110 Gough Street, Suite 402, San Francisco CA 94117

 

A contract from Shambhala will allow the author to publish elsewhere as long as rights are held for the book in which these essays will appear.

Profits from the sale of the anthology will be donated to the Pema Chödrön Foundation.