Interviews with leading spiritual teachers and writers about their latest challenges—the "leading edge" of their work.
Vidyamala Burch: Choosing to Live Well with Pain and Illness
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Tami Simon speaks with Vidyamala Burch, who for over 30 years has lived with chronic back pain as a result of a car accident, multiple surgeries, and congenital spine weakness. Searching for a way to cope with her situation she started practicing mindfulness meditation to help accept and move beyond the pain. She is cofounder of the Breathworks organization in the U.K. where she teaches mindfulness-based approaches to living with physical pain and illness. She is also author of the new Sounds True book Living Well with Pain and Illness. Vidyamala speaks about what it means to turn toward pain and soften, and how to live one moment at a time. (56 Minutes) » Read the transcript
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What a beautiful interview! I could relate to so much of what Vidyamala talked about. I have a chronic condition and for about the same amount of time as her, denied it. I then realised that turning inward and trying to come to some kind of peace with the illness was my only option. I really liked how ‘real’ Vidyamala was – she didn’t proclaim to have all the answers.
Comment by Emma — January 13, 2010 @ 7:35 pm
Hi Emma
I’m glad you liked the interview and send you all best wishes for your own journey with your chronic condition. I am typing this on my laptop in bed! No I don’t have all the answers and would find it very boring if I did. Each day there is new learning and new opportunities to be humbled by just how mysterious life is.
Comment by vidyamala — January 14, 2010 @ 4:14 pm
[...] of the things i look forward to every Tuesday is the weekly SoundsTrue podcast. This week’s interview with Vidyamala Burch was especially interesting to me as it relates to the *core* aspects of Buddha’s teaching on [...]
Pingback by Sounds True « Got Red pill ? — January 14, 2010 @ 10:41 pm
Vidyamala like myself was inspired by the words of Stephenen Levine. God bless you sir. Perhaps the best that could be said of all of us is that we have lived well in samsara with the pain and suffering. How? Bringing tenderness to our resistence moment to moment. Why? Why heap extra suffering on top of the pain? Sorry for the pain and suffering that has been entrusted to us all.
And there is pleasure along with the pain. If we numb ourself with our addictions we will miss the pleasures such as love. And there is peace inside the sadness. It sounds like Vidyamala is doing wonderful work where the rubber meets the road. Thanks.
Comment by Stan — January 20, 2010 @ 1:54 pm
What a mystical quality to this interview! I am deeply moved and grateful to have heard this interview.
You are a living sanctuary in whom many will find solace. Could this be your calling dear Vidyamala? You ARE the peace and reconciliation we seek. You are one courageous and humble woman!
I pray that your physical pain dissipate entirely one day when you least expect it. All things are possible.
Comment by Jo-Ann Triner — January 29, 2010 @ 6:54 pm