--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is so powerful when we can leave…" description: "\"It is so powerful when we can leave behind our ordinary identities, no longer think of ourselves primarily as a conductor, or writer, or salesclerk, an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/sharon-salzberg-562_behind_it-is-so-powerful-when-we-can-leave-behi_2041410.png" --- # It is so powerful when we can leave behind our ordinary… ![“It is so powerful when we can leave behind our ordinary identities, no longer think of ourselves primarily as a conductor, or writer, or salesclerk, and go to a supportive environment to deeply immerse in meditation practice.” quote by Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/sharon-salzberg-562_behind_it-is-so-powerful-when-we-can-leave-behi_2041410.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/sharon-salzberg-562_behind_it-is-so-powerful-when-we-can-leave-behi_2041410.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/sharon-salzberg-562_behind_it-is-so-powerful-when-we-can-leave-behi_2041410.png) > “It is so powerful when we can leave behind our ordinary identities, no longer think of ourselves primarily as a conductor, or writer, or salesclerk, and go to a supportive environment to deeply immerse in meditation practice.” [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leaving behind fixed roles allows deeper immersion in meditation, fostering authentic presence and transformation. **In simple terms:** Dropping identity labels deepens meditation. Key Takeaway Release roles, embrace the present. Themes mindfulness identity transformation Mood calm focused Type spiritual inspirational When to use this quote - retreats - daily practice - therapy sessions - creative work Key Concepts non‑dual awareness self‑release Questions to Reflect On - How does letting go of titles affect your sense of self? - What support helps maintain balance? A Different Perspective May still feel loss of social identity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conductor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conductor/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [Meditation practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation-practice/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [And meanwhile the sad truth was that not everyone could be extraordinary, not everyone could be extremely cool; because whom would this leave to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-franzen/and-meanwhile-the-sad-truth-was-that-not-everyone-could-be/) [Jonathan Franzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-franzen/) > [Every child deserves to attend school in a safe, supportive environment where they can learn, thrive, and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-devos/every-child-deserves-to-attend-school-in-a-safe-supportive/) [Betsy DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-devos/) > [Lionsgate is my family, the home for all my movies and videos...and they've given me exactly what you want in a home: a supportive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-perry/lionsgate-is-my-family-the-home-for-all-my-movies-and-videos-and-they/) [Tyler Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-perry/) > [My best advice came by examples. A supportive environment at home, school, and grad school. Support at the New York Institute of Technology, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-catmull/my-best-advice-came-by-examples-a-supportive-environment-at-home/) [Edwin Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-catmull/) > [Graduate school is a really supportive environment, but in a way, it was only when that support vanished that I flourished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-choi/graduate-school-is-a-really-supportive-environment-but-in-a-way-it/) [Susan Choi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-choi/) > [It is just more rewarding to do things in a supportive environment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-mulally/it-is-just-more-rewarding-to-do-things-in-a-supportive-environment/) [Alan Mulally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-mulally/) > [All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-milk/all-young-people-regardless-of-sexual-orientation-or-identity-deserve/) [Harvey Milk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-milk/) > [I grew up in a really supportive environment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-leaf/i-grew-up-in-a-really-supportive-environment/) [Ryan Leaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-leaf/) > [I've always said that lovingkindness and compassion are inevitably woven throughout meditation practice even if the words are never used or implied, no matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/i-ve-always-said-that-lovingkindness-and-compassion-are-inevitably/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [The critical element in meditation practice is beginning again. Everyone loses focus at times, everyone loses interest at times, and everyone gets distracted over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/the-critical-element-in-meditation-practice-is-beginning-again/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“The overarching practice of letting go is also one of gaining resilience and insight.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/the-overarching-practice-of-letting-go-is-also-one-of-gaining/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [Its never too late to take a moment to look.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/its-never-too-late-to-take-a-moment-to-look/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“CORE MEDITATION: Breathing This classic meditation can deepen concentration by teaching us to focus on the “in breath” and the “out breath.” Sit comfortably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/core-meditation-breathing-this-classic-meditation-can-deepen/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“Particularly when it comes to chaos magic, building your own optimal metaphysics becomes more challenging when you have to shoehorn it into whatever preferred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-white/particularly-when-it-comes-to-chaos-magic-building-your-own-optimal/) [Gordon White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-white/) > [Meditation practice is simply moving from a life of hurting myself and others to a life of not hurting myself and others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joko-beck/meditation-practice-is-simply-moving-from-a-life-of-hurting-myself/) [Joko Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joko-beck/) ## More by Sharon Salzberg > [Some things hurt, you know, and there's pain. But we magnify the suffering of it often, I think, by our reactions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/some-things-hurt-you-know-and-there-s-pain-but-we-magnify-the/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“How we traverse the space between us when conflict arises has a profound effect on the health and longevity of our relationships.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/how-we-traverse-the-space-between-us-when-conflict-arises-has-a/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“Even when we do our very best to treat those close to us with utmost respect and understanding, conflict happens. That’s life. That’s human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/even-when-we-do-our-very-best-to-treat-those-close-to-us-with-utmost/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“Loving ourselves calls us to give up the illusion that we can control everything and focuses us on building our inner resource of resilience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/loving-ourselves-calls-us-to-give-up-the-illusion-that-we-can-control/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [In order to do anything about the suffering of the world we must have the strength to face it without turning away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/in-order-to-do-anything-about-the-suffering-of-the-world-we-must-have/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“When we believe a wounding story, our whole world is diminished.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/when-we-believe-a-wounding-story-our-whole-world-is-diminished/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“The paradigm for our relationships is formed from our earliest experiences and is actually hardwired into our neurological and emotional network.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/the-paradigm-for-our-relationships-is-formed-from-our-earliest/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [Vulnerability in the face of constant change is what we share, whatever our present condition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/vulnerability-in-the-face-of-constant-change-is-what-we-share/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“Asking questions is an opportunity for creativity and personal expression, both for the person asking and the person answering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/asking-questions-is-an-opportunity-for-creativity-and-personal/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [Compassion isn't morose; it's something replenishing and opening; that's why it makes us happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/compassion-isn-t-morose-it-s-something-replenishing-and-opening-that/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“When we open our hearts to the breadth of our experiences, we learn to tune into our needs, unique perceptions, thoughts & feelings”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/when-we-open-our-hearts-to-the-breadth-of-our-experiences-we-learn-to/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“As we explore new ways of loving and being loved by others, we need to equip ourselves with open, pliant minds; we need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/as-we-explore-new-ways-of-loving-and-being-loved-by-others-we-need-to/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [Even in the midst of devastation, something within us always points the way to freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/even-in-the-midst-of-devastation-something-within-us-always-points/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“It's important to investigate the nature of anger because it is such a powerful energy and can be so destructive. 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I'm so behind the times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemarie-dewitt/i-m-not-on-any-social-media-i-don-t-even-know-what-things-are-i-m-so/) [Rosemarie DeWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemarie-dewitt/) > [I think we were raised in a nice Texas Jewish family where education was the most important thing, and close behind that was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-loeb/i-think-we-were-raised-in-a-nice-texas-jewish-family-where-education/) [Lisa Loeb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-loeb/) > [I am hands-on in any project that I am associated with. I just don't want to put my face or name and lend it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-kardashian/i-am-hands-on-in-any-project-that-i-am-associated-with-i-just-don-t/) [Kim Kardashian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-kardashian/) > [I don't really have loads of friends - three or four who are close. 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