Old friends Sharon Salzberg and David Nichtern meet to discuss the calamity of misplaced faith and the expansion that can come from individualized social action.

This week on the CSM podcast, David and Sharon have a thought-provoking conversation about:

• Expanding the definition of social action to include art and genuine spiritual practice
• Looking deeper into the root cause of social problems
• Attempting to bring Buddhist teachings into a democracy
• Misplaced faith and the three root poisons in Buddhism – Grasping, Aversion, and Delusion
• Purification: going beyond awareness and into the elbow grease required for actually changing negative patterns
• The building blocks of real mindfulness and incorporating many different practices
• Kali Yuga, considering the state of the world, and trying to remain optimistic
• Understanding the consequences of our actions and our role in the collective
• How we relate to unchosen suffering and chosen suffering

“There’s this saying going around that action absorbs anxiety. If you’re feeling really anxious, uptight, take action. Action might not mean marching, signing a petition, or vocalizing, it may mean helping your neighbor.” – Sharon Salzberg

About Sharon Salzberg:

Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is one of the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over 45 years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is co-founder of The Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of twelve books, including the New York Times bestseller, Real Happiness, now in its second edition, and her seminal work, Lovingkindness. Her podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed five million downloads and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond. Learn more about Sharon and her books at www.sharonsalzberg.com.