Chanting is a simple practice. When you notice you are thinking about something else during the chant, let go of the thought and come back home, to the chant, to that place where we are expressing our inner purity. Sharon Salzberg backchantexpress share on social
The moment that we realize our attention has wandered is the magic moment of the practice, because that's the moment we have the chance to be really different. Instead of judging ourselves, and berating ourselves, and condemning ourselves, we can be gentle with ourselves. Sharon Salzberg attentionberatechance share on social
We apply our effort to be mindful, to be aware in this very moment, right here and now, and we bring a very wholehearted effort to it. This brings concentration. It is this power of concentration that we use to cut through the world of surface appearances to get to a much deeper reality. Sharon Salzberg appearanceapplyaware share on social
In our usual mind state, we are continually activating the process that in Buddhist terminology is known as 'bhava,' which literally means 'becoming.' In this space of becoming, we are subtly leaning forward into the future, trying to have security based on feeling that we can hold on, we can try to keep things from changing. Sharon Salzberg activatebasebhava share on social
We think of ourselves as our titles or our jobs or our position in a family. We depend on being praised by others. But something happens when that praise is undermined. Sharon Salzberg dependfamilyjob Change image and share on social
Everyone loses touch with their aspiration, and we need the heart to return to what we really care about. All of this is based on developing greater lovingkindness and compassion. Sharon Salzberg aspirationbasecare Change image and share on social
My earliest experiences in meditation were in a context of intensive retreats. Sharon Salzberg contextearlyexperience Change image and share on social
It's a rare and precious thing to be close to suffering because our society - in many ways - tells us that suffering is wrong. If it's our own suffering, we try to hide it or isolate ourselves. If others are suffering, we're taught to put them away somewhere so we don't have to see it. Sharon Salzberg closehideisolate share on social
The middle way is a view of life that avoids the extreme of misguided grasping born of believing there is something we can find, or buy, or cling to that will not change. And it avoids the despair and nihilism born from the mistaken belief that nothing matters, that all is meaningless. Sharon Salzberg avoidbearbelief share on social
We need to redefine community and find a variety of ways of coming together and helping each other. Sharon Salzberg comecommunityfind Change image and share on social