Impermanence, Letting Go, and Finding Freedom | Sharon Salzberg & Sunita Puri

There are certain threads inescapably woven into our experience of being alive.

Simple but profound truths which make up the tapestry of what it means to be human. 

One of these is impermanence. 

The fact that everything, by nature, changes. 

From the seasons, to the weather, 

our emotions, and our relationships.

We are born, we grow old, and ultimately we die. 

The flow of life is inherently dynamic as things are coming together, and falling apart. 

All the time. 

And while at times impermanence can be viewed in a grim light (endings, and death),

Change also means new beginnings, rejuvenation, and possibility. 

After Winter ends, the sun comes out, flowers bloom, and the natural landscape comes to life.  

And if change is truly just a part of being alive, 

Then the pragmatic question is:

How can we relate to this shared experience in ways that lead to living well? 

Over the next 3 weeks we are going to explore this question (and versions of it) in depth,

With some of the great teachers, physicians, writers, and leaders of our time. 

Together we'll discuss themes like:

• Learning to relax into uncertainty, 
• Loosening our grip of control as we aspire toward long term goals with less attachment to outcomes,
• The possibility of appreciating the preciousness and taking in the beauty of being alive.

To kick things off today you’ll hear a beautiful and often moving conversation between:

World renowned meditation teacher, co founder of the Insight Meditation Society and NYT Bestselling author Sharon Salzberg, 

And 

Physician, author, and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine where she is also the Director of Inpatient Palliative Care Services, Dr. Sunita Puri.

Both of whom have been the show before, but never in conversation together in this way - exploring how we might make the most of the short time we are here. 

For more on Sharon check out sharonsalzberg.com

For more on Sunita, including her beautiful memoir: That Good night: Life and Medicine in the Eleventh Hour please visit https://sunitapuri.com/

Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:

• Finding the Courage to Live Without Regrets | Dr. Sunita Puri
• The Power of Compassion (pt 1) | Sharon Salzberg & Barbara Fredrickson

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