The Sharon Salzberg Metta Hour features Buddhist philosophy in a practical, common sense vernacular. Sharon’s natural wisdom, sense of humor and the ease with w...
For episode 260, we are launching a new Anxiety Series on the Metta Hour. Sharon is speaking with Mental Health experts, providers and researchers for tools to work with anxiety in increasingly challenging times. To launch the series, Sharon sits down with Dr. Jud Brewer MD, Ph.D.Dr, Jud is a New York Times best-selling author and thought leader in the field of habit change and the “science of self-mastery,” who blends over 20 years of experience with mindfulness training and a career in scientific research. He is passionate about understanding how our brains work, and how to use that knowledge to help people make deep, permanent change in their lives — with the goal of reducing suffering in the world at large. Dr. Jud is the director of research and innovation at Brown University’s Mindfulness Center, where he also serves as an associate professor in Behavioral and Social Sciences at the School of Public Health and Psychiatry at the School of Medicine at Brown University, and a research affiliate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.In this episode, Sharon and Dr. Jud discuss:The neuroscientific definition of anxiety Fear of the futureHow we simulate the futureThe difference between planning and worryingAnxious feeling versus thoughtQualifiers for mental health diagnosesThe research behind Mental NotingThe antidote to anxiety is curiosityExploring gratification to its endHow much does worrying help?Thinking isn’t what changes behaviorWe’re wired for happinessNeuroscientists don’t talk about willpowerInternet myths about anxietyDeprivation curiosityHow misinformation fuels anxietyCollective anxietyDefault Mode NetworkFive Finger BreathingNoticing our “oh no” momentsKindness and curiosity are best friendsThe Unwinding Anxiety AppThe conversation closes with a short guided curiosity practice. You can learn more about Dr. Jud’s work and get a copy of his book, Unwinding Anxiety, right here and learn more about his Mindshift Recovery App right here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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1:06:31
Ep. 259 – The Force of Kindness Pt. 2
For episode 259, we bring you the second half of a two-part series on the Force of Kindness.Listen to the first part of this series released earlier in February of 2025 right here.His Holiness the Dalai Lama has stated, “My true religion is kindness.” Although frequently denigrated in our culture as simplistic and weak, the quality of kindness has an inherent power to transform our worldview from one of fear and isolation to one rooted in clarity, courage and compassion in action. Kindness is the fuel that helps us truly “walk our talk” of love. Recording in December or 2024 by the Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion. In this recording, Sharon teaches on:The aspiration of kindnessBrahma Viharas as a basis for aspirationLovingkindness as ConnectionOur Subway CarReflection on InterconnectionThe definition of CompassionSympathetic JoyGratitude as the energizerEquanimity as the secret ingredientThe eight vicissitudesThe episode closes with Sharon taking some questions from the audienceJoin Sharon’s upcoming ten-day wisdom course exploring Equanimity starting March 5th. Learn more right here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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1:17:50
Ep. 258 – The Force of Kindness Pt. 1
For episode 258, we bring you the first half of a two-part series on the Force of Kindness.His Holiness the Dalai Lama has stated, “My true religion is kindness.” Although frequently denigrated in our culture as simplistic and weak, the quality of kindness has an inherent power to transform our worldview from one of fear and isolation to one rooted in clarity, courage and compassion in action. Kindness is the fuel that helps us truly “walk our talk” of love. Recording in December or 2024 by the Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion.In this recording, Sharon teaches on:The conditioning we faceHow our culture defines kindnessThe compassionate witnessA ministry of presenceKindness as a motivational stateThe emergent properties of how we pay attentionWho do we pay attention to?Practicing kindness for ourselvesGuided meditation on how we speak to ourselvesPunitive environments cannot sustain growthHow resilience is developed Sayadaw U Pandita’s trick questionStay tuned for the second part of this series coming in February of 2025. Join Sharon’s upcoming ten-day wisdom course exploring Equanimity starting March 5th. Learn more right here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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49:53
Ep. 257 – Fireside Chat with Christina Feldman
For episode 257 we are continuing the Fireside Chat Series on the Metta Hour with guest Christina Feldman.This series features intimate conversations with longtime dharma teachers about the early days of their practice and the most impactful moments with their own teachers. Hosted by IMS Online, the seventh episode in this series. Christina is of the generation of dharma teachers that began teaching in the west in 1975 after spending some years in Asia studying and practice in both the Mahayana and Theravadan traditions. She is a co-founder of Gaia House and served as a guiding teacher of IMS beginning in its early days. She teaches Buddhist psychology in several university settings in Europe, and she teaches both traditional retreats and study programs. Christina is the author of Boundless Heart: The Buddha’s Path of Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity and co-author of Mindfulness: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Psychology, among other books. The conversation begins with a guided practice led by Christina.In this conversation, Christina and Sharon discuss:How Christina accidentally ended up in India First encountering Tibetan refugeesChristina first learning meditationDharma as an immersive experienceSharon’s first attempts to meditateDifferent techniques in Christina’s early practiceGoenka’s impact on SharonSecular MindfulnessPractice versus PathDefinitions of DukkhaWhat Christina is teaching latelyBodhi CollegeSharon’s work with caregiversEquanimity as embodied understandingHow Christina has developed as a teacherThe conversation segues to questions from the audience with a guided meditation from Christina. Sharon and Christina then take questions on specificity of intention, working with physical pain, emptiness as a practice, moving from knowing a truth to living a truth, and Christina’s yearly intentions.You can learn more about Christina’s work right here. Learn more about IMS Online right here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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1:33:12
Ep. 256 – Norma Wong
For episode 256, we start off the year in podcasts with a conversation between Sharon and first-time guest Norma Ryuko Kawelokū Wong Roshi.Norma is a thought partner, a strategist, and a teacher. She is the abbot of Anko-in, an independent branch temple of Daihonzan Chozen-ji and serves practice communities in Hawai‘i, across the continental U.S., and in Toronto, Canada. She is an 86th-generation Zen Master, having trained at Chozen-ji for over 40 years. Norma has decades of experience in organizing, policy, strategy, and politics in Hawaiʻi, particularly in the area of Native Hawaiian issues, serving in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature and beyond. In the Fall of 2024, she released the book, “When No Things Work,” telling stories, weaving poetry, and offering wisdom at the intersections of strategy, politics, and spiritual activism.In this conversation, Norma and Sharon speak about:How Norma became an activistTaking the long multi-generational viewHow to face discord by seeing the wholeWhen Norms found spiritual teachingsThe inspiration for writing her bookHow Norma approaches faithCollective versus individual workSharon getting humid in MauiOpening to joy and goodnessMethods to interrupt habitsThe rebuild of the Lahaina fires on MauiThe episode closes with Norma leading a resonant breathing practice. You can learn more about Norma’s work right here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Sharon Salzberg Metta Hour features Buddhist philosophy in a practical, common sense vernacular. Sharon’s natural wisdom, sense of humor and the ease with which she translates these teachings forge an intimate connection with the listener. From everyday experiences to pithy revelations, each podcast is a journey on the path of self-discovery.Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author.She is one of the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over 45 years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is co-founder of The Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of twelve books, including the New York Times bestseller, Real Happiness, now in its second edition, and her seminal work, Lovingkindness. Her forthcoming release, Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom, is set for release in April of 2023 from Flatiron Books. www.sharonsalzberg.com
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