Summary
As the United States approaches the midterm elections, anxiety surrounding the news cycle is palpable. Meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg offers practical strategies for staying engaged with current events without succumbing to overwhelming feelings of anger and despair. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging emotions like anger and grief, suggesting that understanding these feelings can lead to healthier responses and actions.
Salzberg highlights the significance of community and connection in navigating distressing news. She encourages individuals to share their experiences and feelings with others, as this can alleviate the sense of isolation that often accompanies difficult circumstances. The conversation also touches on the balance between staying informed and protecting one's mental health, with both Salzberg and host Dan Harris advocating for mindful consumption of news.
The discussion further explores the concept of guilt associated with privilege and the feeling of not doing enough in the face of widespread suffering. Salzberg reassures listeners that small actions can create ripples of change, and she encourages a focus on self-care and joy as essential components of resilience. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the need for mindfulness practices to cultivate clarity and strength amid the chaos of the world.
Show Notes
Buddhist advice on taking care of yourself so you can take care of the world, including what to do with your outrage, and why looking for the good on purpose isn't denial. The news is painful right now. And for most of us, the options we reach for — doom-scrolling, rage-posting, or unplugging entirely — don't actually help. Meditation teacher and bestselling author Sharon Salzberg joins Dan to take live questions from the 10% with Dan Harris community on how to find solid ground when the world feels like it's on fire. In this conversation, Sharon Salzberg and Dan Harris discuss: How to feel your anger without being consumed by it — and why that distinction matters What's usually hiding underneath the anger: grief, fear, and sadness Why action is the antidote to despair — and what actually counts as action How civil rights movement leaders sustained their effort in the face of uncertainty How to handle guilt about not doing enough Why "look for the helpers" is more than a platitude Whether meditation can possibly be relevant in a full-blown poly-crisis — Sharon's answer may surprise you Sharon Salzberg is one of the most influential meditation teachers in the Western world. She has been teaching for over four decades and is a co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. She is the author of many books, including Lovingkindness and Real Happiness. Find more of her guided meditations in the 10% with Dan Harris app. Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel This episode is sponsored by: Planet Visionaries: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, listen to or watch Planet Visionaries wherever you get your podcasts. Reddit: Download the Reddit app today. Base44: Go to Base44.com/Happier and sign up through our link to get 30% off the Builder plan for your first year. To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris
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