Buddhist Geeks Sharon Salzberg on Dipa Ma
Mar 21, 2025
Sharon Salzberg, a renowned meditation teacher and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, shares heartfelt reflections on her beloved teacher, Dipa Ma, a gifted Bangladeshi meditation master. She recounts Dipa Ma's extraordinary compassion and fierce dedication to her students. The conversation delves into Dipa Ma's unique blend of concentration and insight, her extraordinary abilities, and how mindfulness can be woven into daily life. Sharon's personal anecdotes illuminate the nurturing impact Dipa Ma had on her understanding of teaching and Dharma.
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Dipa Ma's Background
- Dipa Ma's real name was Nani Bala Barua, and she belonged to the Barua caste in Bangladesh.
- She began meditating after experiencing deep grief and a heart condition, following her husband's and two children's death.
Dipa Ma's Presence
- Dipa Ma's presence was more impactful than words, offering a loving energy.
- Unlike other teachers with pithy sayings, her impact stemmed from her being.
Dipa Ma's Humility
- Dipa Ma lived humbly in Calcutta, sharing a one-room tenement with family.
- Despite her modest circumstances, her room felt like "being bathed in light."
