For episode 238 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we are releasing a special extended excerpt of the brand new Lovingkindness Audiobook, set for release by Shambhala on April 23rd, 2024.

This thirty-minute excerpt includes the forward of the book, written and read by Jon Kabat-Zinn, the introduction of the book, read by Sharon and a portion of the first chapter, The Revolutionary Art of Happiness. Lovingkindess was Sharon’s first book, originally released in 1995 in hardcover format. It is now available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats.

To learn more about the book or get a copy, click here.

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For episode 237, we are launching the Fireside Chat Series on the Metta Hour.

This series features intimate conversations with longtime dharma teachers about the early days of their practice and the most impactful moments with their own teachers. Hosted by IMS Online, the launch of this monthly series is a conversation between Sharon and Jack Kornfield. Jack trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India and Burma. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. The conversation begins with a 10-minute guided meditation from Jack.

In this episode, Sharon and Jack discuss:

• Jack’s experience with Thai Buddhist monk Ajahn Chah
• The Buddha statue debate from the early days on IMS
• Jack’s first book “Living Dharma”
• Ajahn Chah’s teaching about the original mind
• Realizing innate qualities versus developing them
• The sign above the door at IMS
• What languages Sharon and Jack learned in Asia
• Sharon’s relationship with teacher Tsoknyi Rinpoche
• The role of study in one’s spiritual life
• Dualistic versus non-dualistic teachings
• The necessity of lovingkindness in their early teachings
• Learning to accept help and support
• Sharon’s experiences with Dipa Ma
• Different teachers that Jack has pissed off

The conversation closes with a short sitting. You can learn more about Jack’s work right here and check out his new online course on the eight-fold path available right here.

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For episode 236, Sharon is in conversation with Sameet Kumar, Ph.D. Sameet is the clinical psychologist for the Memorial Cancer Institute.

Sameet specializes in working with cancer patients and their caregivers. He is the author of Grieving Mindfully, The Mindful Path Through Worry and Rumination. He is part of a new anthology, coming out in May of 2024 from New Harbinger Publications, How to Grieve What We’ve Lost.

In this episode, Sharon and Sameet discuss:

• How Sameet came to grief counseling
• American culture’s denial of the first noble truth
• The human experience of pain/pleasure
• Grief is whatever it is to you
• The non-existent timeline for grief
• Widening the scope of what losses affect us
• The tools of ACT, CBT and Mindfulness for grief
• Sameet’s new anthology book
• Dampening the grief stress response
• Sameet’s support of COVID front-line workers
• Working with add-ons
• The role of Ram Dass in Sameet’s life

Sameet closes the conversation with a guided meditation on the refuge tree. You can learn more about Sameet’s work right here.

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