Nikki Walton welcomes Sharon Salzberg for a conversation around dealing with fear, the path to happiness, staying in the heart space of lovingkindness, and much more.
Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. Get more about fear, happiness, and lovingkindness from Sharon on her Metta Hour Podcast, plus check out all her offerings at sharonsalzberg.com.
Fear of the Known
Nikki and Sharon begin with a discussion on dealing with fear during the Covid pandemic, and how they both tend to fear what is known more than what is unknown. They shift to the subject of happiness, and Sharon talks about how it’s truly available to all of us. Nikki asks Sharon about her own path to happiness and how her spiritual journey began.
“Despite the world’s pronouncement that we’re afraid of the unknown, which of course is true, I get really afraid when I think I do know and it’s going to be really bad.” – Sharon Salzberg
Tara Brach talks about awakening from the grip of fear on Mindrolling Ep. 333
The Heart Space of Lovingkindness (12:53)
Nikki inquires about Sharon’s first trip to India. Sharon tells the story of not being able to find what she was looking for at first, and then ending up in Bodhgaya at the meditation retreat where she met Ram Dass and Krishna Das. Nikki and Sharon discuss love and lovingkindness, and how we can stay in the heart space of lovingkindness even when confronted with anger.
“Metta, or lovingkindness, is in many ways at the heart of mindfulness. To be able to see all our emotions, and all our thought patterns, and all our stuff in the light of that kind of loving acceptance is not easy, and it’s what mindfulness really is.” – Sharon Salzberg
Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein explore metta and generosity on Insight Hour Ep. 108
Don’t Press Send (23:56)
Nikki asks about Sharon’s meditation practice and how it has evolved over the years. Sharon talks about her relationship with lovingkindness, which she practiced exclusively for many years, and how she’s currently bringing it into her life. Nikki and Sharon end the show by touching on kirtan, the Hanuman Chalisa, and the special connection between Sharon and Krishna Das.
“My overall resolve for the past year is to be kinder in very real ways. And so, that has notably involved not pressing send on an email once I’ve written it, but reading it again.” – Sharon Salzberg
