Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg Ep. 218 – Real Life Series with Valarie Kaur
Jul 10, 2023
Valarie Kaur, a renowned civil rights leader and bestselling author, discusses the transformative power of love in advocating for justice. She shares her personal journey into activism fueled by grief from a hate crime, emphasizing the importance of community healing and storytelling. The conversation delves into harnessing ‘divine rage’ as a force for social change and the necessity of deep empathy amidst division. Kaur also highlights how embracing gratitude and a sense of wonder can enrich our everyday lives and promote resilience.
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Valerie Kaur's Journey into Activism
- Valarie Kaur, after 9/11, used her camera to document stories of violence against Sikh Americans.
- This act of grieving with her community transformed her despair into a mission of storytelling.
Grieving as a Bridge to Community
- Grieving with others is a powerful way to build community and foster understanding.
- It allows us to connect with people we might not otherwise know and see them as kin.
Reaching Out to an Opponent
- Valarie Kaur and Rana Sodhi contacted the man who murdered their uncle to understand his motivations.
- Through listening, they recognized his pain and the broader societal forces driving such actions.
