Metta Hour With Sharon Salzberg

For episode 98 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon shares a conversation with Dr. Kristin Neff Ph.D.Dr. Kristin Neff is an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Neff is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, conducting the first studies on self-compassion fifteen years ago. She is the author of Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself and The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook. In this conversation, Sharon and Kristin speak about how Kristin came to specialize in the work of self-compassion, and the nuances between self-esteem and self-compassion. They discuss many of the scientific discoveries about self-compassion that research has uncovered, and how these findings debunk many of the cultural myths surrounding compassion today. The conversation closes with Kristin leading a 10-Minute guided meditation on balancing Compassion Burnout.

For the 97th episode of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon shares a conversation about raising resilient children with Mark Bertin, MD & Christopher Willard, PsyD.Buzz words such as “thriving,” “resilience,” and “mindfulness” may fill headlines and sell books, but what do they really mean, and how do we cultivate these traits in ourselves and our families? Sharon and her guests look beyond the buzzwords and towards the basic concepts of skillful parenting that have been known across cultures for millennia. Together they explore the best of what both science and wisdom traditions have to teach us about cultivating happy, healthy families.

For the 98th episode of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks with Dr. Amishi Jha Ph.D.Amishi is a Neuroscientist, an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Miami, and the Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative. Amishi studies the neural bases of attention and the effects of mindfulness-based training programs on cognition, emotion and resilience.In this episode, Amishi and Sharon speak about how Amishi came to the path of meditation, and how that has inspired her career as a researcher. They also speak about Amishi’s programs working with mindfulness training in education, corporate, elite sports, and the military.

For the 95th Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon converses with meditation teacher and author Gary Gach. Gary has been meditating and writing for nearly 60 years, and published numerous magazines and anthologies. He is the author of Complete Idiot's Guide to Buddhism and his moment recent release, Pause ... Breathe ... Smile ~ Awakening Mindfulness When Meditation Is Not Enough. He's been hosting a weekly Zen mindfulness practice group for nearly a decade in San Francisco and is lay-ordained in the Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism. In this conversation, Sharon and Gary speak at length about Gary’s latest book, and how he came to the practice of meditation, as well as the intersection of art, consciousness and social change.

For the 94th episode of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon shares the stage with Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush!Live from the 2018 “Open Your Heart in Paradise” retreat, Sharon speaks with Ram Dass and Mirabai about embracing the dying process. How can we be with one another as souls, to live and die consciously? The group of old friends explore these questions and share a reading from Mirabai and Ram Dass’s final book, Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying.

For the 94th episode of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon sits down with author and teacher Eddie Stern.

Sharon and Lynn Nottage discuss art as social action and the way that Lynn’s sees her own writing as a way to cultivate more empathy in the world. They also speak about the correlation between the spiritual path and creative process.

For episode 91 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks with friend and author, Ellen Agler.Ellen serves as the CEO of the END Fund, a private philanthropic initiative working to see an end of the suffering caused by five neglected tropical diseases affecting 1.5 billion people. The END Fund actively supports programs with dozens of partners in more than 25 countries, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. Ellen’s first book, “Under the Big Tree: Extraordinary Stories from the Movement to End Neglected Tropical Diseases” has just been released from Johns Hopkins University Press with a foreword by Bill Gates. In this episode, Sharon and Ellen speak in depth about Ellen’s work in the public health sector, how to put compassion in action, and maintaining balance in extraordinary circumstances.

For Sharon’s 90th episode of the Metta Hour Podcast, she speaks with longtime friend, Guy Armstrong.Guy Armstrong has practiced Insight Meditation for over 40 years, including training as a Buddhist monk in Thailand with Ajahn Buddhadasa. He began teaching in 1984 and has led retreats worldwide. He is a guiding teacher at the Insight Meditation Society, where he works with three-month retreatants, as well as offering online courses of his teachings. In this conversation, Guy begins by sharing his personal story of what drew him to meditation practice over 40 years ago, and how that path evolved into his long-term study and teaching. Guy and Sharon speak at length about emptiness, the core topic of his 2017 book, “Emptiness: A Practical Guide for Meditators,” by Wisdom Publications. Sharon and Guy also speak at length about the relationship between emptiness and lovingkindness. The conversation closes with Guy leading a brief guided meditation.

In Episode 88 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon joins Frank Ostaseski at an event that was recorded live at the JCC Manhattan in September of 2018 in celebration of Joan Halifax’s new book release, “Standing at the Edge.”Due to travel complications, Joan was unable to join this event until the end of the evening, creating the unique experience of Sharon and Frank discussing Joan’s teaching at length, as well as many of the themes of her new book, like the different paths of the warrior, the role of courage on the spiritual path (and daily life), empathy and compassion, integrity and self-respect and the dedicated, lifelong work of working with dying that both Joan and Frank have spearheaded. 

In Episode 87 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks with author, teacher and activist, Ruth King.Ruth King is an international teacher in the Insight Meditation tradition, blending mindfulness and meditation principles with an exploration of racial conditioning and its impact. She is the author of several publications including her most recent release, Mindful of Race. In this episode, Ruth shares her personal story of what brought her to meditation practice, and how it has impacted her life and her work. Sharon and Ruth also speak in depth about racial conditioning and racial justice, the nuance of identity, and Ruth’s work rebuilding communities with new understanding and connection.

In Episode 86 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks with teacher and author, Oren Jay Sofer.Find show notes and links here: https://beherenownetwork.com/sharon-salzberg-metta-hour-ep-86-oren-jay-sofer/ Oren Jay Sofer is a member of the Spirit Rock Teacher’s Council, a Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication, and a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner for healing trauma. His first book, “Say What You Mean” comes out in December 2018. In this conversation, Sharon and Oren discuss how Oren came to the path of meditation practice, and his time spent in the East. They also discuss the many nuances of effective communication both related to mindfulness practice, somatic healing, and the application of non-violent communication. The conversation closes with Oren leading a short guided meditation. For more information, visit orenjaysofer.com.

Find show notes and resources here: https://beherenownetwork.com/sharon-salzberg-metta-hour-ep-85-elisha-goldstein/Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. is a co-founder of The Center for Mindful Living in West Los Angeles and creator of the 6-month coaching and mentorship program, A Course in Mindful Living. A psychologist, and international speaker and mindfulness educator, his books include Uncovering Happiness and The Now Effect. Learn more at elishagoldstein.com.

For Episode 84 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks with Lama Tsomo, an American lama, author, and co-founder of the Namchak Foundation.Find show notes and resources here: https://beherenownetwork.com/metta-hour-ep-84-lama-tsomo/Lama Tsomo has followed a path of spiritual inquiry and study that ultimately led to her ordination as one of the few American lamas in Tibetan Buddhism. Lama learned Tibetan to study with her teacher Tulku Sangak Rinpoche, and now shares the teachings of the Namchak lineage in the US and abroad. Lama holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and is the author of the award winning “Why Is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling?”In this conversation, Lama speaks with Sharon about her personal story of why she came to study Tibetan Buddhism, how her path has evolved through the course of her life, and how she has balanced family life, work life, and deep practice. The episode closes with Lama leading a guided meditation. For more information about Lama Tsomo, visit: namchak.org

For Episode 83 of the Metta Hour Podcast, enjoy this conversation from the archives between Sharon and beloved author and Celtic mystic, John O’Donohue.Find show notes and resources here: https://beherenownetwork.com/metta-hour-ep-83-john-odonohue/This conversation “Dawning of the Spirit” was recorded in 1998 in Boston, MA by the Omega Institute. The conversation is an exploration of the crossover between the practical application and mysticism of Buddhism and Christianity. Sharon and John discuss the concept of faith at length, as well as the themes of identity, connection, empathy and more. John O’Donohue is the beloved author of “To Bless the Space Between Us” and widely recognized as one of the most charismatic and inspirational enduring voices on the subjects of spirituality and Celtic mysticism. The 2018 book release, “Walking in Wonder” is a welcome tribute to a much-loved author whose work still touches the lives of millions around the world, and includes a foreword by Krista Tippett. Learn more

In Episode 82 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks with Rich Fernandez, Ph.D.Find show notes and resources here: https://beherenownetwork.com/?p=14879&preview=trueRich Fernandez is the CEO of the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute and co-founded Wisdom Labs, an organization that brings the science of mindfulness, resilience and thriving into organizations. In this episode, Sharon and Rich speak about how Rich came to the practice of mindfulness, and how that evolved into his professional work bringing the practices of compassion, leadership, resilience and mindfulness into the larger systems of organizations. Learn more about Rich’s work at the SIYLI here: siyli.org and about the Wisdom labs here: wisdomlabs.com

Sharon speaks with longtime colleague Lama Tsultrim Allione for the 81st episode of the Metta Hour Podcast.Find show notes and resources here: https://beherenownetwork.com/metta-hour-ep-81-lama-tsultrim-allione/Sharon and Lama open the conversation reminiscing about their similar paths going to India in their late teens, and the magic they discovered there. Lama speaks about her path in Vajrayana Buddhism and the sacred form of the feminine as the Dakini. Sharon and Lama speak in depth about Lama’s new book, “Wisdom Rising” and the five mandalas as paths of transformation. They also discuss one of Lama’s other primary teaching themes: chöd practice, aka feeding your demons. Lama and Sharon also share their experiences as women on the path, and some of the history of Buddhist teaching’s availability for women in the eastern patriarchal system— and how that has informed their pioneering work as female teachers in the west. The podcast ends with a short guided meditation by Lama on transforming anger with a Daki

For the 80th episode of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon sits down with colleague Rhonda V. Magee.Rhonda V. Magee is Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco and is an internationally-recognized thought and practice leader on integrating Mindfulness into Higher Education, Law and Social Justice. Sharon and Rhonda speak about Rhonda’s personal practice, her forthcoming book on racial justice, and her work bringing contemplative practice and mindfulness to lawyers. They discuss a holistic approach for compassionate and restorative justice in underserved communities and the different levels of social change that exist– and how to work in those levels for real growth.Show notes and links: https://beherenownetwork.com/metta-hour-ep-80-rhonda-v-magee/

For the 79th episode of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon sits down with writer and teacher, Omid Safi. Omid is the Director of Duke University’s Islamic Studies Center and is the author of several books, including his most recent release, “Radical Love: Teachings from the Islamic Mystical Traditions.” In this episode, Sharon and Omid discuss Omid’s life story, and how he came to his work of sharing the history and culture of Islamic studies. They also talk all about love across different cultures, Omid’s most recent book, and last but not least, their shared love of HAMILTON!Find show notes and links here: https://beherenownetwork.com/metta-hour-ep-79-dr-omid-safi/