Sharon Salzberg – Metta Hour – Ep. 117 – Connecting the Dots Between Practice and Action with Carla Goldstein

Sharon Salzberg – Metta Hour – Ep. 117 - Carla Goldstein

For Episode 117 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks with teacher and activist, Carla Goldstein.

Carla Goldstein, JD, is president of Omega Institute and cofounder of the Omega Women’s Leadership Center. An attorney with 25 years of experience in public interest advocacy, she has contributed to more than 100 city, state, and federal laws, and has worked extensively in city and state government on issues related to women’s rights, poverty, public health, and social justice. She is a commentator for WAMC’s show, 51%, writes a column and serves on the advisory board for Feminist.com, and serves as an advisor to Women Without Borders. She teaches a variety of workshops at Omega, including Omega’s Women & Power conferences and retreats, which inspire thousands of women from around the world. Carla Goldstein also appears regularly on local and national radio and television and makes public presentations on issues related to women’s empowerment, holistic and sustainable living, activism, and spiritual activism.

In this episode, Sharon speaks with Carla about integrating the practices of mindfulness and meditation with our social action in the world. Together they look at what we can do to connect the dots between practice and action. Carla closes the podcast with a short insight meditation practice.

Foundations for Infinite Possibility

Sharon speaks with Carla about the different kinds of ways that Carla contributes to the Omega Institute, a retreat center that offers people the tools they need to thrive in their own lives and to positively affect the world around them. Carla shares the influences that led her to a path in life that blends a passion for social justice with the wisdom of inner inquiry and contemplative practice.

“The way we think about it at Omega Institute is that we help people see new possibilities for themselves, their families, their community and the world – that can look different to each person.” –  Carla Goldstein

Connecting the Dots Between Practice and Action (17:30)

How can our awareness inform and support our social action? Carla and Sharon talk about the impact that contemplative practice has on ourselves and in the community of activists that we stand with.

“The more awareness we have, the more out of isolation we come, the more community we build, the more impactful our collective impact can be.” –  Carla Goldstein

Restoring Balance (26:55)

Carla speaks about the programs at Omega Institute that focus on addressing the challenges presented by climate change and bringing justice to the inequity faced by women, indigenous people and other underrepresented people. She and Sharon talk about how mindfulness can aid in the struggle against structural inequality and intergenerational trauma experienced by the global majority.

“One of the really big questions for these historic wounds is, ‘What does repair look like?” – Carla Goldstein

Just Keep Coming Back (50:05)

Carla ends the show with a short 5-minute insight meditation practice.

Sharon Salzberg – Metta Hour – Ep. 117 - Carla Goldstein

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