Based On Compassion
Topic: Love, Compassion, & Kindness
Resilience is based on compassion for ourselves as well as compassion for others. Developing compassion is neither a sign of weakness nor a deterrent to success; rather, it is the foundation of true strength and resilience. In our interconnected world, recognizing our interdependence leads us naturally to a place of compassion. But it’s important to understand that compassion is not about being miserable or broken by the suffering we see. Rather, it’s about finding a balance that uplifts us and provides resilience. This strength helps us face life’s challenges with a sense of community and support.
Sharon Salzberg, born on August 5, 1952 in New York City, is one of the world's renowned meditation teachers and authors. Her early life was marked by loss and turmoil, with her parents' divorce and the death of her father. Her mother's subsequent mental health issues forced Sharon into a series of foster homes and schools. This period of difficulty and displacement sparked her interest in the workings of the mind and the possibility of finding inner peace amidst chaos.
In 1969, Sharon attended a lecture on Buddhism at the State University New York, Buffalo, which ignited her passion for understanding and exploring human consciousness. A year later, she left for India as part of an independent study program, searching for a more comprehensive approach to alleviate human suffering. This journey led her to meet various spiritual teachers, most notably S. N. Goenka, under whose guidance she began to practice Vipassana or Insight Meditation. This would prove to be a turning point not only in her personal life but also in her impact on Western spirituality.
Following her profound experiences in India, Salzberg returned to America in 1974 and co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein. She has since authored several influential books, including "Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness" and "Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation," teaching people how to cultivate mindfulness, compassion, and, most importantly, how to integrate these practices into everyday life. Despite her massive influence, Salzberg maintains a humble approach to her work, underscoring that it's not about achievement but being able to touch one's own heart and, subsequently, the hearts of others.
Salzberg, Sharon. The Kindness Handbook: A Practical Companion. Sounds True, 2008.

Sharon Salzberg
Theme: Compassion
About This Sharon Salzberg Quotation [Commentary]
Sharon Salzberg’s insight that “resilience is based on compassion for ourselves as well as compassion for others” highlights the essential role of kindness in inner strength. She makes it clear that compassion is not a weakness but “the foundation of true strength and resilience.” This challenges the idea that resilience comes only through hardship or detachment. Instead, she shows that caring for ourselves and others builds the stability needed to face difficulties with openness and balance.
Salzberg emphasizes that recognizing our interdependence naturally leads to compassion, reinforcing that resilience does not grow in isolation. She explains that compassion is not about being “miserable or broken by the suffering we see” but about finding a balance that sustains us. This distinction is important—compassion is not a burden but a source of strength. Rather than depleting us, it provides the grounding needed to meet life’s challenges with steadiness and care.
Salzberg’s perspective reframes resilience as more than endurance. She presents compassion as both a personal practice and a way to strengthen our connections with others. By responding to hardship with kindness, we not only sustain ourselves but create a sense of community and shared support. Resilience, she suggests, is not just about standing firm but about cultivating the relationships and inner resources that help us move forward.
Additional Sharon Salzberg Quotations
Here are three additional quotations from “The Kindness Handbook: A Practical Companion” by Sharon Salzberg that illuminate the theme of compassion:
This reflects the understanding that compassion is cultivated through a deliberate practice of directing our mind and heart towards kindness, actively choosing to engage with compassion in our daily lives.
This beautiful imagery describes compassion as a constant and transformative force, one that reflects our true nature, supports us, and purifies our intentions and actions.
This quote emphasizes the interconnectedness of all beings and how recognizing this fundamental truth can lead us to a deeper, more genuine compassion that bridges the divides caused by fear and misunderstanding.
Through these reflections, we understand that compassion is not only a feeling or an act but a profound and transformative practice that shapes how we relate to ourselves and the world around us.
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