For episode 213 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we are continuing a special series celebrating Sharon’s new book, “Real Life.” This interview features a conversation between Sharon and Anu Gupta, pulled from the Living An Authentic Life Summit.Anu Gupta is a human rights lawyer, social scientist, educator, and the Founder of BE MORE with Anu. He has dedicated himself to finding solutions to bias through two decades of original research, fieldwork with diverse communities globally, and 10,000 hours of meditation practice. Anu has written and spoken extensively, including on the TED stage, the Oprah Conversation, Fast Company, and Newsweek. In this conversation, Sharon and Anu discuss the theme of contraction from Sharon’s new book, Real Life.To learn more about Anu’s work, you can visit his website at bemorewithanu.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For episode 212 of the Metta Hour, we continue our Mental Health Series with meditation teacher and author Kimberly Brown.In this series, Sharon is speaking with teachers, experts, and health advocates to explore and destigmatize mental health, applying the tools of Buddhist wisdom and spiritual practice. This multi-part series aires every other week in the coming months. In this episode, Sharon is joined by author and meditation teacher Kimberly Brown. Kim is a guide to the transformative power of compassion and love, interpreting traditional Buddhist techniques into accessible and relevant practices for modern life.Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mettaKimberly Brown is a meditation teacher and the author Steady, “Calm, and Brave” and “Navigating Grief And Loss,” both published by Prometheus Books. In this conversation, Kim and Sharon discuss:• Kim’s first education about Mental Health• Today’s Mental Health statistics• Kim’s childhood belief something was wrong with her• The year of being human• The harmfulness of normative culture• Taking apart stigma• Kim’s training in Psychotherapy• The healing connection of community• Who’s your alley on this journey?• Developing emotional intelligence• How compassion affects mental health• The inspiration for Kim’s new books• Kim’s teachings on grief• The necessity of courage to face ourselves• Rituals that support grievingThe conversation closes with a guided meditation on awareness led by Kim. To learn more about Kim’s work, and to get a copy of her books you can visit her website at meditationwithheart.com Mental Health Resources:National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call 988 or (800) 273-8255Psychology Today Find a Mindfulness-Trained Therapist Active Peace Yoga with Reggie HubbardThe Psychology Podcast with Scott Barry KaufmanMark Epstein Psychiatrist & Author with a Buddhist LensNalanda Institute Contemplative Psychotherapy ProgramExpress Yourself Black Man Healing Community for Black MenBlack Boys Om Black Boys & Men Healing & Wellness EducationCloud Sangha Community For Meditation & WellnessThe Trevor Project Support for LGBTQ Mental Health Therapy for Black Girls Mental Wellness for Black Women and Girls The Friendship Bench Creating Safe Spaces & CommunityHope for Bereaved Grief Support GroupsOption B Grief, Trauma and Loss SupportIf you would like to suggest a topic for this series, you can email admin@sharonsalzberg.com with your questions and suggestions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For episode 211 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we are continuing a special series celebrating Sharon’s new book, “Real Life.” In this episode pulled, from the Living An Authentic Life Summit, Sharon and Sarah Ruhl speak about creativity as a spiritual practice and how it naturally emerges from our path. Sarah Ruhl is an award-winning American playwright, author, essayist, and professor. Her plays have been produced on Broadway, nationwide, and internationally. Among her most popular are Eurydice (2003), The Clean House (2004), and In the Next Room (2009). Sarah is a 13P and New Dramatists member and won the MacArthur Fellowship in 2006. She teaches at Yale School of Drama and lives in Brooklyn with her family. To learn more about Sarah’s work, you can visit her website at SarahRuhlPlaywright.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For episode 210 of the Metta Hour, we are beginning a special Mental Health Series!In this series, Sharon sits down with different teachers, experts, and health advocates to explore and destigmatize mental health. Applying the tools of Buddhist wisdom and spiritual practice, this multi-part series airs every other week for the coming months. For the inaugural episode of the series, Sharon speaks with teacher and activist, Reggie Hubbard.Mental Health ResourcesPsychology Today Website to fine a therapist with Mindfulness TrainingThe Psychology Podcast with Scott Barry Kaufman Colleague of Sharon’s Mark Epstein Psychiatrist & Author with a Buddhist lensNalanda Institute Contemplative Psychotherapy ProgramToday's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mettaReggie Hubbard is a certified yoga and meditation teacher and the founder/chief serving officer of Active Peace Yoga. He has taught Members of Congress, Congressional Staff, major labor unions, leading progressive organizations, and individuals from all walks of life the simple tools for managing stress and bringing peace to mind, body, and spirit. Outside of his teaching, Reggie has held many senior strategic and logistical roles across various fields, ranging from global marketing, digital and community organizing, government relations, international education to Presidential campaigning. Reggie’s life work sits at the intersection of bringing more peace and balance to activists; guiding the wellness community toward being more engaged, concerned citizens; and enhancing the well-being of all walks of life.In this conversation, Sharon and Reggie discuss:• Reggie’s path in mental health as a political activist• The 1 in 5 statistics of mental illness• Mental Illness isn’t a weakness• How stoicism affects mental health• The role of Toxic Masculinity in mental health• The challenges that black men face• Reggie’s childhood story• Not being able to control our thoughts• What tools we can learn from marginalized communities• The judgments we add to mental health• Confronting our shame• Finding joy even when things go wrong• Adopting a both/and attitude• Reggie’s tools for grief• The role of community in our healingThe conversation closes with a guided sound meditation led by Reggie.If you would like to suggest a topic for this series, you can email admin@sharonsalzberg.com with your questions and suggestions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For episode 209 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we have the seventh episode in a special series celebrating Sharon’s new book, “Real Life.” This interview features a conversation between Sharon and Parker Palmer, pulled from the Living An Authentic Life Summit.Real Life is now available from Flatiron Books in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats. To learn more about the book or get a copy, you can visit Sharon’s website here.Parker is a writer, speaker, and activist who focuses on education, community, leadership, spirituality, and social change issues. He is the founder and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal. He is the author of ten books—including several award-winning titles—that have sold nearly two million copies and been translated into ten languages. His work has touched the lives of millions of people worldwide, seeking to live more courageously and authentically while serving the human possibility. In this episode, Parker and Sharon speak about:• Parker’s life path• Having faith in wholeness• Embracing our brokenness• The emergence of the true self• Keeping death before your eyes• Solitude versus community• Welcome to the human race• Tapping into our authentic self• Authenticity as an act of discernment• How to impact the world around us• Life as a Möbius Strip• The opportunity of silence• What draws Parker to certain poems• Letting your heart speak• Parker’s experience with depression• Self-care doesn’t mean self-indulgence • Community as a practiceThe conversation closes with Parker sharing one of his poems, “Harrowing.” To learn more about Parker’s work, you can visit his website. This is his first appearance on the Metta Hour Podcast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For episode 208 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we have the sixth episode in a special series celebrating Sharon’s new book, “Real Life.”Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mettaThis interview features a conversation between Sharon and Pete Holmes, pulled from the Living An Authentic Life Summit. Pete is a comedian, writer, actor, cartoonist, podcast host, author, and spiritual seeker. His book, Comedy Sex God, explores his relationship with faith and comedy. His popular podcast, You Made It Weird, is a comedic exploration of the meaning of life, with guests ranging from Seth Rogen to Blake Griffin. As a comedian, Pete created and starred in the semi-autobiographical HBO show Crashing, which he executive produced alongside Judd Apatow. He is also an accomplished stand-up comedian with numerous television specials and late-night appearances.Real Life is now available from Flatiron Books in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats. To learn more about the book or get a copy, you can visit Sharon’s website here. In this episode, Pete and Sharon speak about:• Writing one’s biography • Fame is an agreed-upon conceit• Pete’s teacher Ram Dass• Specialness addiction• Pete’s experience facing his ego in his work• Fame is something that happens in other people’s minds• Franciscan teacher Richard Rohr• Growing up as a fundamentalist Christian• Pete’s experience with Hero’s Journey• What is still true amidst immense challenges• Pete’s motto: “What is This?”• Letting go of specialness • What matters when we die• Pete’s first meeting with Ram Dass• How do we love our neighbors when we don’t like them?• Faith and despair• The practice of “Yes, Thank-You.”To learn more about Pete’s work, you can visit Pete's websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For episode 207 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we are celebrating the release of Sharon’s new book, Real Life, with a recording of her virtual book launch event.Recorded on April 11, 2023, and hosted by the Insight Meditation Society’s Book Club, this event features a conversation with Sharon and JoAnna Hardy, moderated by Dan Harris.Real Life is now available from Flatiron Books in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats. To learn more about the book or get a copy, you can visit Sharon’s website here.In this conversation, Sharon, JoAnna, and Dan speak about:The impetus for the book, Real LifeHow committed meditators can still be stuckWhere Sharon struggles with opennessJoanna’s journey with shameThe difference between guilt and shameHandshake practiceGrowth mindset versus fixed mindsetJoanna’s daily practiceLove taking the form of fierce compassionNavigating a meditation droughtThe growing pains of learning new thingsWhat role community plays in Real LifeAging gracefully and staying openWhat authentic living means to SharonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For episode 206 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we are releasing a special extended excerpt of the Real Life Audiobook.Read by Sharon, this hour-long excerpt includes the introduction of the book entitled “Introduction: Embarking on a Journey Together” and the first chapter, “From Constriction to Expansion.” The book Real Life is available April 11th, 2023 from Flatiron Books in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats. To learn more about the book or get a copy, you can visit Sharon’s website here.Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/metta See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For episode 205 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we have the third in a special series celebrating Sharon’s new book, “Real Life.” This interview features a conversation between Sharon and Sarah Jones, pulled from the Living An Authentic Life SummitTo learn more about Sarah’s work, you can visit her website. To hear this interview in it’s entirety, you can sign up for the Living an Authentic Life Summit right here, which runs online from March 29th – April 5th and is free to join.Sarah is a Tony Award-winning solo performer, writer, comedian and activist. Sarah is mainly known for her multi-character one-person shows, including Broadway hit Bridge & Tunnel and the critically-acclaimed play Sell/Buy/Date, which inspired the film. In this conversation, Sarah and Sharon speak about:• Sarah’s new film, “Sell/Buy/Date”• Art expanding what seems possible• The political nature of art• The necessity of courage• The impacts of covid• Being able to give our all in life• Sitting down and getting real• An encounter with the Buddha in Washington Heights• People make sense• Tracing Sarah’s path from childhood• Learning to hear our inner guidance• Love is the most powerful force in the universe“We live in a society that requires a certain kind of self-alienation, a competition, and a shutting off of the part of us that knows we are one among many.” – Sarah Jones See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For episode 204 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we have the second in a special series celebrating Sharon’s new book, “Real Life.” This interview features a conversation between Sharon and Zainab Salbi, pulled from the Living An Authentic Life Summit.Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mettaZainab is a humanitarian, author and journalist. Oprah Winfrey identified her as one of the 25 women changing the world to People Magazine and Foreign Policy Magazine called Zainab one of “100 Top Global Thinkers”. She is the co-founder for DaughtersforEarth.com, Chief Awareness Officer at FindCenter.com, and host of Redefined podcast. Zainab is also the author of several books, including the national bestseller Between Two Worlds. To learn more about Zainab’s work, you can visit her website. To hear this interview in it’s entirety, you can sign up for the Living an Authentic Life Summit right here, which runs online from March 29th – April 2nd and is free to join: https://summit.wisdomforlife.lifeIn this conversation, Zainab and Sharon speak about:• How Zainab came to her field• Joy in the midst of wartime• Inner turmoil in times of great success• Zainab sitting first meditation retreat• Facing our shame with love• Issues that stem from not knowing our worth• Zainab’s revelations in her brush with death• The balance needed for caregiving• Accepting the shadow of ourselves • Seven rules for a happy day• Zainab’s epiphany to tell her own storySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.