In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview renowned Buddhist teacher Roshi Joan Halifax about her path to Buddhism, finding "compassion in the charnel ground" of the world, balancing compassion towards oneself and towards others, the difference between healthy and unhealthy empathy, and many other subjects. It was a joy! To learn more, visit https://www.joanhalifax.org/ and https://www.upaya.org/

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

01:30 - What moments of faith led you to Buddhism?

12:35 - Tell us about finding compassion in a charnel ground on Mount Kailash

24:40 - How do you balance compassion for yourself with compassion for others?

31:50 - Tell us about how your experience caring for a burnt girl at the Nomad clinic taught you about the difference between emotionally-regulated empathy with unhealthy empathy.

45:20 - Tell us about the "edge states" of altruism, empathy, integrity, respect, and engagement, and what can they tell us about internal and external work.

57:03 - How can we be good friends to women in the Dhamma world, and what is your relationship with the Buddha like now?

1:03:00 - Farewell and blessings!

Bio

Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D., is a Buddhist teacher, Founder of Upaya Zen Center, social activist, and author. A pioneer in end-of-life care, she has lectured globally and received honors like the Pioneer Medal for Health Care Leadership. She worked with dying cancer patients (1972-75) and continues teaching caregivers about end-of-life care. She directs the Project on Being with Dying, founded the Upaya Prison Project and Nomads Clinic in Nepal. Her books include _The Human Encounter with Death_ and _Being with Dying_, and *Standing at the Edge*. She has been involved with the Mind and Life Institute since its inception and is founder of the Varela International Symposium. To learn more, visit https://www.joanhalifax.org/ and https://www.upaya.org/

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In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Roshi Joan Halifax of Upaya Zen Center.

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