The Power of Compassion Pt 1 | Barbara Fredrickson & Sharon Salzberg

Today we’re relaunching a 4-part series on the power of compassion. 

We originally released this series of conversations last season as we brought together some of the world's leading researchers and practitioners to take a deep dive into compassion, courage, and living with a more open and loving stance toward the world.

Throughout this series you'll be exposed to some of the most intriguing findings coming out of compassion science, emotion science, psychology, and research on leadership and in organizations. 

Additionally, these conversations will explore the fierce and courageous forms of compassion that are often less elevated in mainstream discussions of this ancient virtue.

Forms of courage and compassion that can show up when we begin addressing challenging questions like:  

• How we might open ourselves up and stay curious in heated conversations?
• How we might fight for what we care about from a place of love?
• What does it look like to work wisely with anger, and engage constructively across difference?
• How can we keep our heart open in the face of suffering and come from a place of responsiveness vs. reactivity.
• And how we might leverage these qualities to find balance, resilience, and courage in the face of uncertainty?

In today's part one conversation you’ll be exposed to the incredible work of emotion scientist Dr. Barbara Fredrickson and world renowned meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg.

Highlights from the episode include:

• How Barb and Sharon began their work together 
• How Sharon’s deep expertise on lovingkindness and contemplative practices have influenced Barb’s conception of love 
• A new definition of love that focuses on micro-moments of connection 
• Why love is the state where the most learning, growth, and expansion occur 
• Practical strategies for opening the heart
• Details on groundbreaking research that Barb and her team are working on
• Sharon will offer an overview of Lovingkindness and some of her latest thinking on this ancient practice
• Why compassion is so important now

If you are intrigued at the idea of strengthening compassion, courage, and resilience I am teaching an 8-week training which begins Friday July 12th 2024. It includes evidence-based meditation techniques, interactive discussions, and lectures as well as real-world exercises to put learning into practice.

For more check out practicingcourage.com/cct

More about Barb and Sharon:

Dr. Barbara Fredrickson is Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Award-winning Director of the Positive Emotions and Psychophysiology Lab at the University of North Carolina. Her research reveals how micro-moments of love and other forms of positivity nourish your health, wisdom, and longevity. One of the most highly-cited contributors to psychological science, her contributions have influenced scholars and practitioners worldwide. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, The Economist, CNN, NPR, PBS, and Oprah Magazine.

Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is one of the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over 45 years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is the author of twelve books, including the NYT bestseller, Real Happiness. The book we explore themes from in today’s conversation is: Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom. For more on Sharon visit www.sharonsalzberg.com

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