145. Lesson: Lovingkindness with Sharon Salzberg

Inner Resilience

Sharon Salzberg discusses the transformative power of lovingkindness in building inner resilience. She explains that cultivating positive states broadens our perspective, opening up a world of possibilities and strengthening our inner resources. This practice allows us to face adversity without feeling overwhelmed and to embrace joy without resistance 1.

To develop these states means to build a sense of inner resource. So we meet adversity without feeling so undone that we have nothing from within to rise to a challenge.

--- Sharon Salzberg

By deepening our quality of care and love, we can approach life's experiences with a renewed sense of inner strength and resilience 1.

   

Generosity and Care

Lovingkindness, as Sharon Salzberg explains, fosters a profound sense of connection and generosity towards oneself and others. She emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the positive aspects of ourselves and those who inspire us, which can lead to a greater sense of inner abundance 2.

Offering yourself loving kindness, wishing yourself well, is almost like asking yourself, anything else happened today, what's the good within me?

--- Sharon Salzberg

This practice of generosity is not about obligation but stems from a natural overflow of inner sufficiency, allowing us to appreciate the bounty in our lives and extend love to all beings 2.