For episode 13 of the Real Love Podcast Series, Sharon continues her conversation with Congressman Tim Ryan about love in the political landscape.
Tim Ryan currently serves in the U.S. Congress representing Ohio’s 13th District. Aside from his leadership in the political arena, Tim is a tremendous advocate for mindfulness and author of the book “A Mindful Nation”. Sharon and Tim discuss the importance and practice of real love in such critical and polarizing times in American and global politics, as well as the value of quiet time and interdependence in the community.
The Real Love Podcast Series is a special series on the Metta Hour featuring a variety of conversations with some of the world’s finest thinkers and teachers exploring Sharon’s new book “Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection“. Real Love a field guide for anyone seeking awakened living in the 21st century – regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity or status. The book explores love is three different areas in life: love of oneself, love of an other, and love for all of life. Real Love is now available to order in hardcover, ebook and audiobook format.
Show Notes
Addiction: A Spiritual Crisis (Opening) – Senator Ryan currently sits on the Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus which works to educate and raise awareness among lawmakers about addiction prevention, treatment, and substance abuse. Sharon and Tim talk about the crisis of addiction in America and how mindfulness practice can provide relief to suffering addicts.
“We have moved into the suburbs and drive around the poverty; drive around a lot of the problems of society and that’s part of the problem. I think if we are going to have a new version of America, we are going to have to start seeing each other.” – Congressman Tim Ryan
If you are interested in exploring the intersection of spiritual practice and recovery from addiction, be sure to check out the Indie Spiritualist podcast with Chris Grosso,
Feeling Stuck (12:20) – When it comes to the politics, so many people are feeling angry, hopeless and unheard. Tim and Sharon talk about what we can do to affect positive change in our community, instead of waiting on the President or Congress to fix things.
“We can’t expect that the President of the United States or the government in Washington is going to fix all of our problems. I believe it can be a force for good, but at the same time, if it is not working, you can plug into your church or your school, and be involved in your community to make things better. Not just throw your hands in the air and give up, that’s the last thing we need right now.” – Congressman Tim Ryan
Reconnecting (30:25) – What do you tell someone who is feeling alone in the world? Sharon talks about connecting to ourselves in order to better connect to others. Tim looks at the need for reconnection in our communities.
“Connection is an underlying principle for us as we govern ourselves. How we build our communities for example. You know, more walkable, more connected to downtown where there are facilities where we can experience entertainment somewhere, it’s about community.“ – Congressman Tim Ryan
For more on reconnecting communities, listen to Part 1 of this conversation between Sharon and Tim here.
Tim Ryan serves in the U.S. Congress representing Ohio’s 13th District. He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002 and was sworn in on January 3, 2003. Successfully reelected seven times, he is now serving in his eighth term. Congressman Ryan has been re-elected seven times and currently serves as a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and as co-chairman of the Congressional Manufacturing Caucus.
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