# Why Happiness is a Revolutionary Act with Sharon Salzberg

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/bounce-back-stronger-with-donna-ferris-6704147/why-happiness-is-a-revolutionary-act-with-sharon-salzberg
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/bounce-back-stronger-with-donna-ferris-6704147/why-happiness-is-a-revolutionary-act-with-sharon-salzberg.md
Podcast: [Bounce Back Stronger with Donna Ferris](https://stenobird.com/podcast/bounce-back-stronger-with-donna-ferris-6704147)
Published: 2025-08-06T14:00:47+00:00
Episode link: https://DonnaFerris.podbean.com/e/why-happiness-is-a-revolutionary-act-with-sharon-salzberg/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/kbfzurmnkd6abea8/Sharon_Salzber_Podcast_best_of_august_20256jrp3.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/bounce-back-stronger-with-donna-ferris-6704147/episodes/why-happiness-is-a-revolutionary-act-with-sharon-salzberg
Duration seconds: 2268

## Resource

“So many people are taught compassion is stupid. Gratitude is really stupid. And I got to talk to researchers, and it was so interesting 'cause they said, well, actually it's the opposite. These researchers said to me, if you practice gratitude, you have a kind of energy. You don't feel so bereft, so exhausted, so that you can seek change with some energy. And not only that, people who practice gratitude want to pay it forward. They want to see other people get a break, have something good happen for them. So we get to see these myths. And if we can see through them, then we can orient ourselves toward a more true happiness.” In this best-of-episode from 2023, Donna sits down with renowned meditation teacher, bestselling author, and mindfulness pioneer Sharon Salzberg to explore why choosing happiness is one of the most revolutionary acts we can take in today's chaotic world. Sharon shares her deeply personal story of healing, her early experiences with LovingKindness (metta) meditation, and the inspiration behind her bestselling books including Faith, Real Happiness, and Finding Your Way. She explains how practices like mindfulness, compassion, and gratitude aren’t soft or passive — they are acts of strength, resistance, and spiritual empowerment. Together, they unpack: Why true happiness is an ability, not a fleeting feeling How small acts of good can combat helplessness and burnout Why loving your enemies isn’t weakness — it’s wisdom The power of gratitude to recharge your inner resilience Whether you're struggling, healing, or simply seeking more meaning, this conversation will remind you that joy isn't frivolous — it's radical. If you would like to learn more about Sharon, please visit her website www.sharonsalzberg.com If you enjoyed this episode, you might want…

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