Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg

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.

For episode 203 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we have the first in a special series celebrating Sharon’s new book, “Real Life.” This interview features a conversation between Sharon and Jon Kabat-Zinn, pulled from the Living An Authentic Life Summit. Jon is Professor of Medicine emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where he founded the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society, and its world-renown Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Clinic. He is the author of 15 books, including the bestseller Full Catastrophe Living. His latest book published in 2023 is Mindfulness Meditation for Pain Relief: Practices to Reclaim Your Body and Your Life.The conversation begins with Jon leading a guided meditation practice, followed by a dynamic interview in which Jon and Sharon discuss:• Jon’s first exposure to meditation• mindfulness as a love affair• what is authentic living• translating ancient teaching of the Buddha• Jon’s early teaching at UMass• freeing ourselves from delusion• waking up in every moment• the compassion in mindfulness• finding freedom from painTo learn more about Jon’s work, teaching schedule, and latest book, Mindfulness Meditation for Pain Relief, you can visit his website. To hear this interview in its entirety, you can sign up right here for the Living an Authentic Life Summit which runs online from March 29th – April 2nd and it is free to join.“When you tune into yourself, you’re actually tuning into the entire universe, of which you are an intimate and insanely beautiful and mysterious part.” – Jon Kabat-ZinnSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For Episode 202 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon is joined by lifelong friend, Jack Kornfield to talk about the power of Community.Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mettaIn this conversation, Jack and Sharon discuss the many nuances of community, which is one of the three gems in Buddhism. They speak about:• What the three jewels are• The ways that community supported their early life on the path• What community offers the individual• What COVID revealed about interconnection• The epidemic of loneliness• How to cultivate community today• Jack’s new endeavor, Cloud SanghaThe episode closes with Jack leading a guided meditation. Join Sharon, Jack and seven of today's thought leaders in the space of mindfulness and meditation for a free online summit! Take a journey to inner peace, freedom and joy March 29 – April 2, 2023. Enroll for the Living an Authentic Life Summit for free: Join The Free SummitJack trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India and Burma. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. He co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, and the Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California. Jack’s books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is a father, husband and activist.To learn more about Jack’s work and his many offerings, you can visit jackkornfield.com. To learn about Cloud Sangha, you can visit cloudsangha.co.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Koshin Paley Ellison joins Sharon for Episode 201 of the Metta Hour speaking about his new book, Untangled: Walking the Eightfold Path to Clarity, Courage, and Compassion.Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mettaKoshin is an author, Zen teacher, Jungian psychotherapist, and ACPE Certified Chaplaincy Educator. After more than a decade as a chaplain and psychotherapist, Koshin co-founded the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care. Koshin is a renowned thought leader in contemplative care and he is the author of several books. In this conversation, Sharon and Koshin speak about:• What drew Koshin to write on the 8-Fold Path• The importance of the four noble truths outside Buddhism• The definition of suffering in Buddhism• Being with suffering in a loving way• Writing as a form of gratitude• The 8-Fold Path as approach to practice• Shame versus embarrassment• Right Effort and Right Speech• Healing Toxic Masculinity• What does it mean to be a diverse person• The Pandemic of LonelinessThe episode closes with Koshin leading a guided meditation practice “Opening the Cage” from his book. To learn more about Koshin’s work, you can visit zencare.orgAbout Koshin Paley Ellison:Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison, MFA, LMSW, DMIN, is an author, Zen teacher, Jungian psychotherapist, and ACPE Certified Chaplaincy Educator. After more than a decade as a chaplain and psychotherapist, Koshin co-founded the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care. Koshin’s work has been featured in the New York Times, PBS, CBS Sunday Morning and other media outlets. He is the author of Untangled: Walking the Eightfold Path to Clarity, Courage, and Compassion (Balance/Hachette, 2022); Wholehearted: Slow Down, Help Out, Wake Up (Wisdom Publications, 2019); and the co-editor of Awake at the Bedside: Contemplative Teachings on Palliative and End of Life Care (Wisdom Publications, 2016). Keep up with Koshin Paley Ellison on Instagram“Everything is a moment of practice, everything has that potential.” – Koshin Paley EllisonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For episode 200 of The Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks with Diana Winston and Sue Smalley, Ph.D. about the re-release of their book, Fully Present: The Science, Art and Practice of Mindfulness. In this episode, Sharon, Diana and Sue speak at length about the advances in research over the past decade in the scientific research of meditation, mindfulness and compassion practice.Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mettaDiana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center and the author of The Little Book of Being, and Wide Awake: A Buddhist Guide for Teens. She has been teaching mindfulness since 1999 in a variety of settings, and developed the evidence-based Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPS) curriculum and the Training in Mindfulness Facilitation, which trains mindfulness teachers worldwide.Sue Smalley, Ph.D. is a Professor emerita in the Department of Psychiatry at UCLA, who has conducted seminal studies on the genetics of ADHD and Autism Spectrum disorders, publishing over 100 peer reviewed papers in the field of behavioral genetics.In 2004, she founded the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA, and more recently helped co-create the Bedari Kindness Institute at UCLA.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.