Sebene Selassie On: Resiliency, Rewriting Your Patterns and Finding a Teacher Who Speaks to You

Overview

This episode features a conversation with Buddhist teacher Sebene Selassie, exploring themes of resilience, personal transformation, and the unique paths to awakening. Sebene shares her journey into meditation, the impact of her cancer diagnosis on her practice, and her approach to teaching. The discussion also delves into the interplay between suffering and freedom, and how meditation can help us navigate life's challenges.

Notable Quotes

- Sometimes I think this whole path is really just learning how not to be in contention with reality. – Sebene Selassie

- Freedom is uniquely personal—it doesn’t have to look the same in everyone. – Sebene Selassie

- Suffering always has an opportunity in it. – DJ Kashmir, reflecting on the transformative potential of hardship

🌱 Sebene’s Journey into Meditation

- Introduced to Eastern spirituality by her brother, who became a Hare Krishna, sparking her early interest in meditation.

- Studied comparative religious studies in college, focusing on Hinduism and Buddhism.

- Her practice deepened significantly after a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis at age 34, later progressing to stage 4. She credits meditation with helping her navigate the physical and emotional challenges of living with cancer.

- Initially resistant to becoming a teacher, she was encouraged by her mentors and found joy in sharing wisdom with others.

🧘‍♀️ Teaching Philosophy and Approach

- Sebene emphasizes teaching from personal experience rather than relying solely on traditional Buddhist frameworks.

- She avoids presenting herself as an objective authority, instead encouraging students to find their own truths.

- Her teaching style has evolved to focus on the unique, personal nature of freedom, recognizing that awakening manifests differently for everyone.

💔 The Role of Suffering in Transformation

- Sebene reflects on how suffering has been a crucible for her growth, helping her identify and release patterns of clinging.

- She acknowledges that while suffering has been a catalyst for her, awakening is not exclusive to those with dramatic life stories.

- DJ Kashmir highlights the universality of suffering and the distinctiveness of freedom, noting that freedom often emerges from transformed pain.

🎙️ Meditation as a Tool for Real Life

- Sebene’s meditations for the month focus on practical themes, such as navigating the tension between stability and ambition, and using the body to approach difficult problems.

- She describes these meditations as contemplative explorations, blending grounding techniques with creative approaches to self-awareness.

- DJ Kashmir praises the originality of her meditations, noting their ability to address complex, real-world challenges.

🌟 The Unique Path to Freedom

- Sebene and DJ discuss how freedom is deeply personal and doesn’t conform to a single model.

- They explore the idea that suffering can be an opportunity for growth, but freedom is not contingent on hardship.

- Sebene shares a prayer from a friend: Grant me the appropriate amount of suffering today that will lead to the opening of my heart and awakening.