If you’ve experienced personal suffering, an incredibly powerful way to begin healing is through meditation, as Sharon Salzberg, New York Times best selling author, Buddhist meditation teacher, and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, discovered back in 1969.

Having come through a childhood involving considerable loss and turmoil, Sharon’s eyes were opened to Buddhism during an Asian philosophy course at the State University of New York, Buffalo. That one class would determine her life direction.

“That was an immense liberation right there. It was a moment of belonging that was very, very different than anything I had felt before. And then I heard in the context of that class, that there were methods that were practices called meditation. And if you practice them, you could actually be a lot happier.”

In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, Sharon shares how important a sense of agency is for us to actualize our potential as humans, how we can overcome our negative self dialogue through meditation, why we’re so fearful of showing our true selves, and why we need equanimity in our lives.

“Equanimity doesn't mean indifference, but it's like a spaciousness of approach that actually enhances compassion. It doesn't diminish compassion.”

So, if you’ve been wondering about the transformative power of meditation, if you’re keen to learn more about Lovingkindness meditation, don’t miss Sharon Salzberg.

On today’s podcast:

People who have the least, give the most
Discovering Buddhism and meditation
Handling negative self dialogue
Why we’re so fearful of showing our true selves
The Buddhist concept of equanimity

Links:

Sharon Salzberg: Healing Pain and Changing Your Life with Mindfulness

Into the Magic Shop