We talk about the fact that she’s been meditating exactly as long as I’ve been alive
What it was like for her to travel to India for her first 10-day Vipassana meditation, and why she went the route of the buddhist tradition, while so many of her contemporaries leaned toward Hindu-based teachings
Why she never chose to take on a special spiritual name, or wear guru costumes, and how she has managed to avoid the trappings of a spiritual ego
The value in taking a ‘householders’ approach to spirituality
Then Sharon treats us to a short ‘idiots guide to Buddhism’ where she breaks down the origins of the tradition and some of its teachers
Why she still chooses to live in NYC some of the time, and what value a big city holds for spiritual growth
Her views on social media and device addiction
The fine line between making a positive contribution to the world and being a fanatical activist
How she has discovered the path to freedom from the mind, and why she’s devoted her life to teaching it
The fact that in life pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional
We explore the idea that mindfulness is not passive, but rather surrendered action
How to become free of negative attachments
What is the hungry ghost, and how we can avoid being trapped by our desires
How reincarnation effects our lives
Sharon’s views on the value of the 12 Steps Program
We talk about Real Love, her 10th book and what role compassion toward ourselves and others plays in our lives
Lastly Sharon gives us her prediction on where the current spiritual movement is taking us, and how she’s hopeful for the future state of mankind’s evolution