#263 The Buddha’s Four-Part Strategy for “Ultimate Happiness” | Sally Armstrong

Ten Percent Happier
July 3, 2023
#263 The Buddha’s Four-Part Strategy for “Ultimate Happiness” | Sally Armstrong
[CLEAN]
Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris
Transcript

“Mindfulness” has become a buzz phrase. There are books on mindful parenting, mindful lawyering, even mindful sex. But what does the word even mean? And how do you actually do it? In one of his most famous and foundational discourses, the Buddha was said to have laid out, in great detail, four ways to establish mindfulness. In today’s episode we’re going to walk through these four “foundations” of mindfulness with Sally Armstrong, who started practicing in 1981, began teaching 15 years later, and now leads retreats all over the world.

We posted this episode a few years ago, but thought it might be a good time to drop a good, old-fashioned, meat and potatoes, stick to your ribs dharma episode to help us get back to basics.  Because, like Sally says, Guru Google can only get us so far…

In this episode we talk about:

  • How Sally got started in meditation – including sitting and in person retreat with SN Goenka and living near the Dalai Lama
  • Using our meditation to align on intentions and values and seeing that we have a choice once we wake up. 
  • Where she encounters challenges in her practice today
  • The importance of Beginner's mind 
  • Sally’s clear breakdown of the Buddha’s Four Foundations of Mindfulness (the first time we’ve really gone into detail on the show)

For tickets to TPH's live event in Boston on September 7:

https://thewilbur.com/armory/artist/dan-harris/

Where to find Sally Armstrong online: 

Spirit Rock Profile: https://www.spiritrock.org/sally-armstrong 

Dharmaseed Talks: https://dharmaseed.org/teacher/153/

Book Mentioned:

Other Resources Mentioned:

Want to Be on Ten Percent Happier?

Do you have a favorite episode of the show? One that’s stuck in your head because of a wisdom bomb dropped by a guest or Dan? Maybe someone articulated a problem that resonated with you, or sparked a new habit that’s the best part of your day? We want to hear about it!Here’s how you can help us uncover these hidden gems.

  1. Call +1 508-656-0540
  2. Tell us your name and favorite episode
  3. In a couple of sentences, tell us why this episode hit home for you

Your episode and story may be part of our new “Deep Cuts” series, where we’re giving our listeners the chance to pick the programming and share their insights. Happy dialing.

Additional Resources:

Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install