How To Stay Politically Engaged Without Losing Your Mind | Sharon Salzberg

Sep 2, 2020

Sharon Salzberg, a leading figure in American meditation and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, shares insights on maintaining political engagement without losing one's sanity. She argues that all feelings, even anger, deserve a place in meditation. During the discussion, she emphasizes developing patience and compassion, even for those we might not agree with, and offers strategies for managing the urge to doomscroll. Salzberg also touches on the importance of joy amid struggles and the need for inclusive representation in activism.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ADVICE

Vote

Voting reflects the innate dignity of everyone and ensures everyone has a voice.
Consider voting as a form of participation aligned with Buddhist teachings.

INSIGHT

Connection through Meditation

Meditation fosters a sense of profound connection, even during physical isolation.
This connection motivates us to address suffering and seek truth.

ADVICE

Navigating Activist Relationships

Practice compassion and equanimity in activist circles to navigate challenging interactions.
Focus on skillful action and good intentions.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

In the heat of an election that is both incredibly nasty and hugely consequential, it might be tempting to try to shut out all the feelings of anger, frustration, and powerlessness. But my guest today makes a compelling argument for engagement -- and for the notion that nothing should be excluded from your meditation practice, not even politics. Sharon Salzberg has a new book, called Real Change, which is about how to stay socially, civically, and politically engaged without losing your mind. We talk about how to develop patience when it seems there’s no light at the end of the tunnel; why it’s wise to cultivate compassion, even for people you find deeply objectionable; and ways to limit our Twitter doomscrolling, something Sharon struggles with herself. Loyal listeners will know Sharon well. She’s a towering figure on the American meditation scene, the cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society, the author of several books, including Real Love, Real Happiness and Real Happiness at Work, and a founding teacher on the Ten Percent Happier app. Where to find Sharon Salzberg online: Website: https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/ Podcast: https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/metta-hour-podcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharonsalzberg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharonSalzberg/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonsalzberg/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SharonSalzbergVideo Book Mentioned: Real Change by Sharon Salzberg: https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/realchange/ To find meditations and courses guided by Sharon Salzberg in the Ten Percent Happier app, visit https://10percenthappier.app.link/SharonSalzberg Other Resources Mentioned: Jay Michaelson / https://www.jaymichaelson.net/ Real Change: Sharon Salzberg in conversation with Anu Gupta / https://asiasociety.org/new-york/events/real-change-sharon-salzberg-conversation-anu-gupta Oren Jay Sofer / https://www.orenjaysofer.com/ Mudita Nisker and Dan Clurman / http://www.comoptions.com/ Bell Hooks / http://www.bellhooksinstitute.com/ Maillka Dutt / https://mallikadutt.com/about/ Additional Resources: Ten Percent Happier Live: https://tenpercent.com/live Coronavirus Sanity Guide: https://www.tenpercent.com/coronavirussanityguide Free App access for Frontline Workers: https://tenpercent.com/care Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/sharon-salzberg-279