40: Sharon Salzberg on Her Reluctance to Start Teaching Meditation and the Story Behind Co-founding the Insight Meditation Society

Sharon Salzberg is a New York Times best-selling author and teacher of Buddhist meditation. The foundations of her teachings haven’t come from countless hours of practice and mastery, but rather from a life of suffering. Although difficult, Sharon’s childhood molded her to become one of the most influential meditative teachers in the United States and western world.  As today’s guest, Sharon walks us through her journey, touching on her traumatic upbringing, journey into meditation, and life as a teacher. First off, Sharon tells us about her daily meditation routine.  She then walks us through her childhood in more detail and describes the loss of her mother, her relationship with her estranged father, and the effect her immigrant grandparents had on her. Later, listeners will hear about the transitional period Sharon went through in college and about how she discovered philosophy and meditation. As we find out more, Sharon talks about her travels to India, as she shares various anecdotes about her teachers and experiences. Upon her return to the United States, Sharon embarked on a mission to create a center in Barre. She talks about the challenges she faced as well as what life was like discovering Western ways of living in a brand new community.  Toward the end of the episode, Sharon tells us about her books, how the pandemic has impacted her teaching, and how she has adapted to a rapidly evolving world. To find out more about Mindfulness, Meditation, and Metta, be sure to tune in today. Key Points From This Episode:Introducing today’s guest, Sharon Salzberg.Sharon describes her meditation practices.Hear about Sharon’s childhood in more detail.Sharon details the night her life changed when her mother was rushed to the hospital.We ask Sharon about her spiritual and religious foundations as a child.The journey Sharon took to become a teacher. How choosing a philosophy course in college would ultimately change Sharon’s life.Sharon tells us about her teacher and mentor, Trungpa Rinpoche.Hear about Sharon’s experiences in India.What Metta is and how it works.Sharon’s experiences opening her center in Barre.What the history of meditation waves can teach us about where meditation is going.How Sharon stays relevant as an influential meditation teacher.Principles mentioned in Sharon’s book, Real Change.How Sharon sees links between Thai sex trafficking and poor farming conditions.Why Sharon believes Thai violence is linked to a public health problem.Ways meditation can help you get good at life.Sharon tells us about her interactions with Buddhist teacher U Pandita.