Let's talk to a Buddhist Priest about Suffering, Social Justice and troubling Minds

In this episode, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to a Buddhist priest about how our thoughts are the cause of so much suffering. We discuss the Buddhist Four Noble Truths, how the mind causes troubling thoughts and social justice. This is a great talk on how we can see the world from a different perspective. Heather says "Hurt People, Hurt People". She shares why she changed from a practicing catholic and became a Buddhist Priest.

Heather Shoren Iarusso first moved to Tassajara in June 2008 thinking she’d stay for six months. Her spiritual sabbatical morphed into a way of life, residing amid the peace and beauty of the monastic valley for seven years aggregate. Heather was ordained as a Zen Priest in October 2015 by Teah Strozer, who served as the guiding teacher for Brooklyn Zen Center (BZC) for many years. Heather worked at BZC for two years as the Ino (Head of Meditation Hall), program director, communications coordinator, and the interim executive director. Heather has served in various practice roles at Tassajara including the Ino, Tenzo (Head Cook), Shika (Guest Manager), and the Shuso (Head Student) with Senior Dharma Teacher Paul Haller. She’s completed twelve, 90-day practice periods at Tassajara and has also participated in meditation intensives with Pema Chodron, Tenshin Reb Anderson Roshi, Shohaku Okumura Roshi, and Shodo Harada Roshi. Heather holds master’s degrees in communications, creative writing, and English literature.

https://www.sfzc.org/teachers/heather-shoren-iarusso

https://www.sfzc.org/about-san-francisco-zen-center