#415. Why Self-Hatred Makes No Sense | Matthew Brensilver

This episode, with Matthew Brensilver, explores a compelling Buddhist question: does self-hatred, or self-love, make sense if the self is an illusion? Matthew Brensilver, PhD, is a clinical social worker and experienced teacher of meditation retreats. He also worked at an organization called Mindful Schools, which teaches teachers how to teach meditation. 

This episode also explores: how and why to view your anger with skepticism; the relationship between self-love and personal ethics; what to do if you think you’re a good person but have no interest in changing your behavior to get better; how to handle a nagging sense of moral un-justifiability; and how Matthew has arrived at a place of relative peace with his own mortality.

Where to find Matthew Brensilver online: 

Website 

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Dōgen | Japanese Buddhist monk | Britannica
• Zen Master Dogen: Forget The Self   
• Shinzen Young
• Jack Kornfield
• Ruth King
• sīla | Buddhism | Britannica
• Living High and Letting Die: Our Illusion of Innocence by Peter Unger
• Effective Altruism
• William MacAskill     
• Peter Singer
• Michele McDonald 
• Steve Armstrong