Sharon Salzberg

Sharon Salzberg is an American meditation teacher and author known for her work in bringing Buddhist meditation practices to the Western world. She is the co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society with Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein. She has authored several books on meditation and Buddhist practice, including Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness and Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation.

Sharon first encountered Buddhism as a student in India in 1971 and soon developed a deep interest in Buddhist teachings, particularly as they applied to meditation practice. She began studying and practicing vipassana (insight) meditation with her teacher, S.N. Goenka and became committed to a daily practice.

In 1974, Sharon returned to the United States and co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. She has been teaching meditation since then and has become one of the leading voices in secular Buddhist practice. Sharon emphasizes the importance of an open heart in meditation practice and encourages students to cultivate an attitude of kindness and compassion towards themselves and others.

Sharon has been featured in a number of documentaries, magazine and newspaper articles, and books, including The New York Times bestseller Real Happiness. She is also the host of the popular podcast Insight Hour, which focuses on the science, psychology, and philosophy of meditation.

As one of the most influential meditation teachers in the United States, Sharon has touched the lives of countless people around the world. She continues to share her teachings through lectures, workshops, retreats, and books, with the goal of helping others find peace and happiness in their lives.

Sharon is also the co-founder and guiding teacher of the Insight Meditation Coaching program, which offers online and in-person meditation instruction and coaching. She also serves on the Mind and Life Institute board, which explores the intersection of science and contemplative practice.

Sharon’s work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, and The Washington Post. She has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and the BBC. She has also given numerous talks at venues such as TEDx and The Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values.

In addition to her teaching and writing, Sharon also works to bring mindfulness to a wider audience through her charitable work. She is a founding board member of the Interdependence Project, which provides meditation instruction to underserved communities. She also serves on the advisory board of the Insight Prison Project, which brings meditation and mindfulness practices to prisons and jails.