For episode 186 of the Metta hour, Sharon welcomes her longtime friend and colleague, Stephen Cope. Stephen is a best-selling author and scholar who specializes in the relationship between the Eastern contemplative traditions and Western depth psychology. For almost thirty years, Stephen has been Scholar-in-Residence at the Kripalu Center. He is also the founder and former director of the Kripalu Institute for Extraordinary Living. Stephen’s latest book, The Dharma in Difficult Times, was released in .January of 2022 from Hay House. In this conversation, Sharon and Stephen discuss:
• What brought Stephen to the spiritual path
• The inspiration for Stephen’s new book
• Stephen’s application of the Bhagavad Gita to our times
• The four pillars of Dharma
• Historical context of the Bhagavad Gita
• How Lovingkindness practice has affected Stephen’s life
• The tennis courts at the Insight Meditation Society
• Sharon’s connection to Harriet Beecher Stowe
• The meeting of Eastern and Western traditions
The episode closes with Stephen leading a guided meditation practice. To learn more about Stephen’s work, you can visit his website.
About The Metta Hour
Sharon’s Metta Hour Podcast features Buddhist wisdom for everyday life. With over five million downloads, Sharon’s wisdom and humor translate these ancient teachings, making them instantly accessible. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes for regular episodes. Make a donation to support the continuation of these podcasts.