Sharon Salzberg on Real Change and How We Can Avoid Spiritual Bypassing

Join the esteemed teacher Sharon Salzberg in a pointed discussion about the place of meditation and spirituality in politics and world affairs. Coming right after the mob attack on the Capital, and right before the inauguration of Joe Biden, this interview doesn’t hold any punches. Where does Real Change (the title of Sharon’s latest book) take place, and how can we avoid the epidemic of spiritual bypassing? An authentic path is not about feeling good; it’s about getting real. And that reality includes hardship and pain. What is the role of anger in activism, and how about the fourth karma (enlightened action) of destruction? Is it possible to reconnect conspiracy theorists to reality, and to effectively communicate with those who hold wildly different beliefs? The conversation turns to an honest look at the opportunities that lie within all the current obstacles, and how crises can ignite evolution. What can I do to help the world in these difficult times, and what am I not seeing? How can we work with our blind spots, our own fear and vulnerabilities, to effect real change? In the current climate of fake news, what’s still true, and does truth stand a chance? The discussion then turns to a “State of the Union” assessment of meditation in the West. What is the promise and peril of the mindfulness revolution? Is McMindfulness, and the commodification of meditation, a real threat? You will quickly see why Sharon is one of the most popular and sought-after teachers in the world. More About Sharon: Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer and industry leader, a world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. As one of the first to bring meditation and mindfulness into mainstream American culture over 45 years ago, her relatable, demystifying approach has inspired generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is co-founder of The Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of eleven books, including the New York Times bestseller, Real Happiness, now in its second edition, her seminal work, Lovingkindness, and her newest book, Real Change: Mindfulness To Heal Ourselves and the World, released in September of 2020 from Flatiron Books. Sharon’s secular, modern approach to Buddhist teachings is sought after at schools, conferences, and retreat centers worldwide. Her podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed over 3 million downloads and features interviews with the top leaders and thinkers of the mindfulness movement and beyond. Sharon’s writing can be found on Medium, On Being, the Maria Shriver blog, and Huffington Post. Learn more at www.sharonsalzberg.com