Real Life

The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom

By: Sharon Salzberg

Narrated by: Sharon Salzberg

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

This program is read by the author.

Merging the insights of inspiring voices with her own understanding of mindfulness, New York Times bestselling author Sharon Salzberg shows us how we can recover from the emotional effects of crisis.

When confronted with pain and obstacles, we often shrink back and contract out of fear and disappointment. That can become a way of life.

In Real Life, Sharon Salzberg lets us know it doesn’t have to be that way.

When we feel alone, cut off, or trapped, we can let those difficulties steer us onto a path toward an authentic, flourishing life—living in a way that allows us to find the wholeness that lies within. Even when we’re alone, a sense of community can accompany us through the stormy times. Our words, hearts, and actions can line up with a larger vision, rather than the smaller views our anxious, fearful thoughts arouse in us.

To live in a less constricted way—with a more spacious, open sense of possibility, creativity, connection, and joy—Salzberg says we need to get real about what’s most important, to ask ourselves, “What do I most deeply yearn for?” “What would I benefit from letting go of?” “What do I believe is possible for me?”

We accomplish the journey to expansive freedom (Real Life) through developing tools like mindful awareness, friendship, and a greater sense of purpose/aspiration. We learn to:

• take some risks with what we dare to imagine

• take an interest in internal states we might normally try to avoid

• take an interest in people we might normally try to avoid

Real Life is about the journey we make when we decide to live the life that speaks to our innermost longing to live free.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.

©2023 Sharon Salzberg (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Sharon Salzberg is, to me, a perfect Buddhist teacher, who manages to guide us gently and entertainingly towards peace, awakening, and lovingkindness, where joy is to be found.”
- Anne Lamott, bestselling author of Bird by Bird

“Sharon Salzberg writes from a place filled with love and simplicity. With Real Life, she gives profoundly effective advice about emerging from the dark corners where we find ourselves. Her insights are life-changing.” - Mary Louise Parker, star of Showtime’s Weeds

“Sharon is a master at helping us get over ourselves and get out of our heads — so that we can do hard things and generally do life better. This book will help you shed old, unhelpful patterns and escape what David Foster Wallace once called ‘the skull-sized kingdom’. Check it out.” - Dan Harris, author of 10% Happier

Heartfelt book with practical applications

I read Real Life soon after finishing her earlier book, Faith, which I also found excellent.
Sharon Salzberg has a knack for distilling big concepts into their salient components while preserving the true essence of the ideas she presents. To do this she uses metaphors and analogies which are often humorous and poignant. I am not a follower of any particular religion or faith practice, I found her appendix in meditation very helpful (especially in the audiobook- she guides you.) This book supports the reader in “coming as they are” and just being curious about what it means to live as a wholehearted human.

Wonderful!

Sharon Salzberg is not only a wonderful storyteller, but a gifted teacher who can help lead you out of constant suffering.
In this book, she shares stories of her life, integrating them with the wisdom of the Buddha's teachings. I have listened twice to this book and will again. Sharon reading her own words brings them to life. I highly recommend!

Grounding

In a world where wisdom seems scarce, this book is chock full of it. So many good quotes, humor, and radical acceptance of what is, rather than what I wish it was. Listening to it read by the author is priceless. Thank you -

Sharon’s clarity of intention with this book

The purpose and meaning and thoughtful construction of her words and thoughts is magnificent. I can not wait to listen again. It is a life companion like she is to so so many of us.

Chronic depression

I found out about this book on Dunkin Trussel’s podcast. I’ve listen to it after an inpatient stay at a mental hospital. This book have helped me find a new way to think and experience pain. I would not have made progress without this book. Thank you!

Encouraging, real, and current.

Sharon provides old and new ways of living. She reminds us of how to find joy in the midst of life’s pain and struggling. Thank you for a wonderful book.