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Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg
Ep. 255 – Elizabeth Gilbert
Dec 31, 2024
Elizabeth Gilbert, the New York Times bestselling author of "Eat Pray Love" and "Big Magic", discusses her spiritual journey and the transformative power of creativity. She delves into her twelve-step work with Love and Sex Addiction, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability in artistic expression. Liz also shares her insights on navigating the complexities of love and resilience, as well as the significance of self-compassion through her project, Letters from Love. The conversation closes with a meaningful guided practice, encouraging listeners to embrace their authentic selves.
01:05:25
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Quick takeaways
- Elizabeth Gilbert emphasizes the transformative power of writing 'Letters from Love' as a means to foster self-acceptance and combat self-hatred.
- The podcast discusses resilience as an essential aspect of spiritual practice, where small mindful actions contribute significantly to emotional well-being.
- The conversation highlights that personal growth often stems from acknowledging pain and challenges, rather than solely focusing on success and pleasure.
Deep dives
Engaged Buddhism and Compassion
The discussion focuses on the concept of engaged Buddhism, emphasizing how Buddhist teachings can provide practical guidance to face modern challenges with compassion. The speakers highlight that meditation can transcend personal peace and serve as a catalyst for social action, urging listeners to incorporate mindfulness into everyday actions. Engaged Buddhism encourages individuals to transform their meditation practices into meaningful actions that promote positive change in the world. Examples of how one can practice engaged Buddhism include addressing social justice issues and participating in community efforts, illustrating the broader implications of personal spiritual practice.
Letters from Love
A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the transformative practice of writing 'Letters from Love.' This practice, which originated from personal struggles and a desire for self-compassion, involves writing letters to oneself from a perspective of unconditional love. By inviting participants to write their own letters, the project fosters self-acceptance and combats feelings of self-hatred that are prevalent in society. The initiative has garnered a large community, allowing individuals to share their experiences and support one another in their journeys toward self-love and healing.
The Role of Pain in Transformation
The speakers delve into the idea that significant personal transformations often arise from experiences of pain, loss, and failure rather than just success and pleasure. They discuss how hardships shape individuals into better versions of themselves, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging these transformative moments. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and recognize that growth often stems from their most challenging times. This perspective shifts the narrative from avoiding pain to embracing it as an integral part of the human experience that contributes to personal development.
Community Building and Shared Healing
The conversation highlights the importance of community in the journey toward healing and self-discovery. Shared practices, such as 'Letters from Love,' create a sense of belonging among participants, illustrating how collective experiences can enhance individual paths. The speakers mention the need for connection during tumultuous times, emphasizing that a supportive community can provide the necessary strength to navigate life's hardships. The idea of interconnection and the shared human experience resonates throughout the dialogue, reinforcing that no one is alone in their struggles.
Practical Guidance for Resilience
Resilience is discussed as a vital component of spiritual practice, with practical advice provided for cultivating it in everyday life. The speakers emphasize the significance of small, everyday actions to support emotional and spiritual well-being, such as staying hydrated and getting enough rest. They also discuss the importance of self-care and recognizing one's needs, which can prevent dependence on others for validation and support. This practical approach underscores that building resilience is achievable through simple, mindful actions that foster a deeper connection to oneself.
For episode 255, Sharon closes out the 2024 year in podcasts with an intimate conversation with Elizabeth Gilbert.
Liz is the New York Times bestselling author of Eat Pray Love, Big Magic, the novels City of Girls and The Signature of All Things, and six other books of fiction and nonfiction — which altogether have sold over 25 million copies worldwide. She travels the globe giving talks and workshops that encourage people to lead brave, authentic, and creative lives, and her TED talk, “Your Elusive Creative Genius,” is among their most viewed talks ever. Liz is also the founder of both the Onward Book Club, and the Letters From Love project on Substack.
In this conversation, Liz and Sharon speak about:
- How Liz came to her spiritual practice
- What love said to Liz twenty years ago
- Sharon’s experience doing Letters from Love
- Cultivating a ministry of presence
- Liz’s twelve-step work with Love and Sex Addiction
- Two-Way Prayer
- The ability to receive
- Love is not a UPS package
- Earth School
- What is my next right action?
- The beginnings of resilience
- Why is not a spiritual question
- Acknowledging the interconnection of things
The episode closes with Liz leading a Letter From Love practice. You can learn more about Liz’s work right here.
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