Clear Mountain Monastery Project Brokenhearted Awe: G.R.A.C.E Blown Wide Open & Empathy at the Edge | Roshi Joan Halifax
Jan 22, 2026
In this engaging conversation, Roshi Joan Halifax, a pioneer in end-of-life care and founder of Upaya Zen Center, shares her transformative journey into Buddhism, shaped by childhood challenges and profound experiences. She delves into the importance of balancing self-compassion and empathy for others, illustrating her insights with a powerful story from her work at the Nomad Clinic. Roshi Joan introduces her GRACE method for compassionate responses and explores the nuances of healthy versus unhealthy altruism, advocating for integrity and respect in practice.
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Polio Opened An Inner Life
- Roshi Joan Halifax traced her early contemplative opening to childhood polio that left her virtually blind for two years and cultivated an inner life.
- That solitude and later encounters with social justice movements led her to blend practice with activism throughout her life.
Charnel Ground Awakening At Kailash
- Joan described meditating in a cliff cave above Lake Manasarovar and later laying among remains in the Dakini charnel ground on Mount Kailash.
- The visceral charnel-ground encounter shattered and deepened her understanding of death, impermanence, and compassion.
Practice Unifies Inner And Outer Work
- Inside and outside are not separate; contemplative practice dissolves polarities and readies one for engaged action.
- Practice trains seeing both personal suffering and others' suffering without becoming polarized or reactive.
