Real Life: A Journey Towards Authenticity with Sharon Salzberg

Sharon Salzberg is a renowned meditation teacher and writer who wrote her latest book during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was in Barry, Massachusetts, when the pandemic hit, expecting to stay for only two weeks but ended up living there for eight months due to travel restrictions. During this time, she felt very connected to people's anxiety and unsettledness and taught a lot online. A publisher then asked her to write another book, and she saw an opportunity to write one without the distraction of traveling. The book's main question, "what's still true?", arose from Salzberg's desire to know what was supporting her in these uncertain times. She was also inspired by a YouTube show called Saturday Night Seder, which informed the book's arc.

 

On this episode of StreetSmart Wisdom Podcast, host Steve Stein sits down with guest Sharon Salzberg to discuss her latest books: Real Happiness and Real Life. Salzberg explains how the titles for her books changed over time, and the importance of being genuine and authentic in a world where much of our lives are lived online. The speaker also shares their experiences with meditation and the importance of self-compassion in everyday life. Other topics covered include the benefits of online experiences, challenging societal views towards negative emotions, and the importance of cultivating positive attitudes like gratitude and lovingkindness. For more insights on how to find happiness and fulfillment in today's world, tune in to this informative episode.

 

[00:01:18] Author stays in Barry due to pandemic.

[00:04:07] "Saturday Night Seder" celebrates journey to freedom.

[00:10:15] Summary: States of greed, hatred, and delusion explored.

[00:12:33] Self-compassion is key to progress.

[00:15:50] Meditation books explore real happiness and life.

[00:19:57] Practice resilience through self-compassion and recovery.

[00:24:53] Adapting to pandemic changes, practicing kindness.

[00:30:05] "Online saved center during pandemic"

[00:32:51] Online accessibility broadens experiential opportunities.

[00:35:29] "Sleep tips: nose breathing and repetition."

 

Topics Covered:
1. Salzberg's two books, Real Happiness and Real Life.- Original title of Real Happiness and why it was changed- Salzberg's initial reservations about the title Real Happiness- Real Life as a journey towards authenticity and incorporating meditation practice into daily life
2. Struggles with meditation and the lesson on resilience and self-compassion- Incorporating the habit of self-compassion into everyday life
3. The impact of COVID-19- Practicing kindness and editing emails before sending them- Helping to keep a center open by taking it online- The benefits of online experiences and inclusivity
4. Classical journey within Buddhist teaching and feeling imprisoned by circumstances
5. Cultivating a different relationship with negative emotions and actively cultivating positive qualities
6. Writing a book during the COVID-19 pandemic and exploring what steadies the speaker during tumultuous times

Key Takeaways:
- Examining negative emotions and their underlying causes to avoid being trapped by them- Society's values may not align with what brings true happiness and fulfillment- The importance of resilience, self-compassion, and actively cultivating positive qualities

 

Connect with us:

Steve Stein

Facebook: https://bit.ly/FBpageWF

Instagram: https://bit.ly/RealWisdomFeed WisdomFeed

Website: https://bit.ly/WisdomFeedHome BetterListen

Website: https://bit.ly/BetterListenWebsite

Free Resources: https://bit.ly/FreeResourcesFromWisdomFeed 

 

Sharon Salzberg
Website: https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonSalzberg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharonSalzberg/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonsalzberg/