Ep. 56 – Social Action & Misplaced Faith with Sharon Salzberg

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.

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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 

Sign up for Dharma Moon’s Summer 100-Hour Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Course with David Nichtern, starting June 13th. Or, for a shortened version, join Dharma Moon for an Introductory Weekend Course on the Path of Meditation and Mindfulness.

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

About David Nichtern:

David Nichtern, founder of Dharma Moon, is a senior Buddhist teacher who has been practicing and teaching meditation for over 40 years. He was one of the initial American students of renowned meditation master Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and studied closely with him soon after his arrival in the United States in 1970. He is also a business consultant with companies creating a variety of offerings integrating meditation in a larger health and well-being context. David is also a multiple Grammy-nominated and Emmy award-winning musician. David’s journey has crisscrossed with the Maharaji/Ram Dass sangha for decades. He has produced multiple Krishna Das albums and frequently joins the Bhaktettes live on guitar. He considers himself to be a first cousin and honorary member of the Bhakti community.

"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

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