In The Places That Scare You, Pema Chödrön continues the teachings of When Things Fall Apart, showing how at the core of the most painful experiences lie the seeds of spiritual awakening. Here she presents key teachings on recognizing and cultivating the "soft spot" that is the gateway to compassion and open-heartedness. In this book she discusses:

• The four great catalysts of awakening, and how to integrate them into our lives
• Why the "soft spot" is necessary for spiritual awakening
• The basic goodness that is inherently ours
• How the three noble principles can enrich everything we do
• The maitri meditation that multiplies love
• Why an attitude of "don't know" can be wiser than the world's greatest spiritual teachings
• How to keep the heart open with equal fearlessness to both heartache and delight