---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It’s affirming that we can look at any…"
description: "\"“It’s affirming that we can look at any experience from the fullness of our being and get past the shame we carry.”\" — Sharon Salzberg"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/sharon-salzberg-562_affirming_it-s-affirming-that-we-can-look-at-any-e_3143925.png"
---

#  It’s affirming that we can look at any experience from the…

![“It’s affirming that we can look at any experience from the fullness of our being and get past the shame we carry.” quote by Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/sharon-salzberg-562_affirming_it-s-affirming-that-we-can-look-at-any-e_3143925.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/sharon-salzberg-562_affirming_it-s-affirming-that-we-can-look-at-any-e_3143925.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/sharon-salzberg-562_affirming_it-s-affirming-that-we-can-look-at-any-e_3143925.png)

> ““It’s affirming that we can look at any experience from the fullness of our being and get past the shame we carry.””

[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.

Seeing experiences through our whole self lets us move beyond shame to acceptance.

**In simple terms:** Full self‑view helps release shame.

Key Takeaway

Practice holistic awareness to transcend shame.

Themes

mindfulness self‑compassion spiritual growth psychology

Mood

calm hopeful

Type

spiritual psychological

When to use this quote

- therapy sessions
- daily meditation
- conflict resolution

Key Concepts

Non‑dual awareness self‑acceptance emotional resilience

Questions to Reflect On

- What experiences trigger shame for you?
- How can you honor feelings while expanding awareness?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on positivity may ignore real pain.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Affirming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affirming/) [Affirming Look](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affirming-look-5614777/) [Experience Fullness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experience-fullness-1671960/) [Fullness Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fullness-past-5614778/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [Mindfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mindfulness/) [Past Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-shame-844360/) [Real love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-love/) [Real love quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-love-quotes/) [Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame/) [Shame-quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame-quotes/)

## Related quotes

> [Past all shame, so past all truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/past-all-shame-so-past-all-truth/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [ \[W\]e are the heirs of a past of rope, fire, and murder. I for one am not ashamed of this past. My shame is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/w-e-are-the-heirs-of-a-past-of-rope-fire-and-murder-i-for-one-am-not/)

[Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/)

> [Where the mind is past hope, the heart is past shame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lyly/where-the-mind-is-past-hope-the-heart-is-past-shame/)

[John Lyly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lyly/)

> [“Your capacity to experience the fullness of life is directly proportionate to your capacity to experience the fullness of love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/your-capacity-to-experience-the-fullness-of-life-is-directly/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [“Whether it succeeded or not was of secondary importance; first, I had to do it. Then I would experience the fullness of life as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tetsuo-miura/whether-it-succeeded-or-not-was-of-secondary-importance-first-i-had/)

[Tetsuo Miura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tetsuo-miura/)

> [“Your complete intelligence is designed to experience the fullness of life, not a narrow omission of its best possibilities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/your-complete-intelligence-is-designed-to-experience-the-fullness-of/)

[Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/)

> [“Take pictures off a wall and clear tabletops and mantels for one week to experience “the fullness of nothing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ban-breathnach/take-pictures-off-a-wall-and-clear-tabletops-and-mantels-for-one-week/)

[Sarah Ban Breathnach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ban-breathnach/)

> [You will never experience the fullness of joy you were created to know until Jesus Christ has first place in every area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-macdonald/you-will-never-experience-the-fullness-of-joy-you-were-created-to/)

[James MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-macdonald/)

> [You cannot experience the fullness of your authentic self or life when you live to avoid hurt. You will never know the joy of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/you-cannot-experience-the-fullness-of-your-authentic-self-or-life/)

[Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/)

> [“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/)

> [“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/)

> [“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/)

> [“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/)

> [“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/)

> [“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/)

## 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 &amp; 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. When we can face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/it-s-important-to-investigate-the-nature-of-anger-because-it-is-such/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [“When we contemplate the miracle of embodied life, we begin to partner with our bodies in a kinder way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/when-we-contemplate-the-miracle-of-embodied-life-we-begin-to-partner/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

[Explore all 473 Sharon Salzberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

## More Affirming quotes

> [I don't think that writing, real writing, has much to do with affirming belief--if anything it causes rifts and gaps in belief which make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-evenson/i-don-t-think-that-writing-real-writing-has-much-to-do-with-affirming/)

[Brian Evenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-evenson/)

> [Change your thoughts, change your life. —LAO TZU When I was fighting depression, I remember hearing this expression and not understanding it at first.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/change-your-thoughts-change-your-life-lao-tzu-when-i-was-fighting/)

[Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/)

> [Where a generation ago people felt entitled to a chance at education, they now feel entitled to the credential affirming that they have completed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-a-henry-iii/where-a-generation-ago-people-felt-entitled-to-a-chance-at-education/)

[William A. Henry III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-a-henry-iii/)

> [To create something beautiful about despair or out of a feeling of despair is for me the most hopeful life affirming thing a person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-kane/to-create-something-beautiful-about-despair-or-out-of-a-feeling-of/)

[Sarah Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-kane/)

> [“By affirming that all 'meaning,' every assertion about the significance of life and reality, must be judged by reference to a brief succession of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-williams/by-affirming-that-all-meaning-every-assertion-about-the-significance/)

[Rowan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-williams/)

> [It feels intimate and life affirming to me when someone tweets things that appear to just be insane thoughts they had and typed out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-gonzalez/it-feels-intimate-and-life-affirming-to-me-when-someone-tweets-things/)

[Mira Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-gonzalez/)

> [ \[F\]or academic men to be happy, the universe would have to take shape. All of philosophy has no other goal: it is a matter… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-bataille/f-or-academic-men-to-be-happy-the-universe-would-have-to-take-shape/)

[Georges Bataille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-bataille/)

> [It is so inspiring to see a new group coming together not to focus on a particular war or weapons system, but on all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/medea-benjamin/it-is-so-inspiring-to-see-a-new-group-coming-together-not-to-focus-on/)

[Medea Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/medea-benjamin/)

> [I think we're in a new era where the advancing tide is towards human unity, where people all around the world want to come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-kucinich/i-think-we-re-in-a-new-era-where-the-advancing-tide-is-towards-human/)

[Dennis Kucinich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-kucinich/)

> [Despite two decisions, in 2008 and 2010, by the U.S. Supreme Court unequivocally affirming that the Second Amendment to the Constitution guarantees an individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-barr/despite-two-decisions-in-2008-and-2010-by-the-u-s-supreme-court/)

[Bob Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-barr/)

> [To be honest, I am not theatre-trained and though I am confident in my skill set, to do theatre requires a better-tuned set of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamlyn-tomita/to-be-honest-i-am-not-theatre-trained-and-though-i-am-confident-in-my/)

[Tamlyn Tomita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamlyn-tomita/)

> [The fact that you have a policy of such consequence directly affecting millions of people and you have a legal question of great consequence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-verrilli-jr/the-fact-that-you-have-a-policy-of-such-consequence-directly/)

[Donald Verrilli Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-verrilli-jr/)

> [Action eradicates fear. No matter what you fear,--- positive, self-affirming action can diminish or completely cancel that which you are fearful of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-victor-hansen/action-eradicates-fear-no-matter-what-you-fear-positive-self/)

[Mark Victor Hansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-victor-hansen/)

> [Coming out to gays is a way of affirming sanity and self-worth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-weinberg/coming-out-to-gays-is-a-way-of-affirming-sanity-and-self-worth/)

[George Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-weinberg/)

> [“we are affirming our trust that creation means well within us all, and that whatever painful growth and change may lie ahead, it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-silf/we-are-affirming-our-trust-that-creation-means-well-within-us-all-and/)

[Margaret Silf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-silf/)

[Browse all 167 Affirming quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affirming/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“It’s affirming that we can look at any experience from the fullness of our being and get past the shame we carry.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Sharon Salzberg"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/it-s-affirming-that-we-can-look-at-any-experience-from-the-fullness/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Affirming"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/it-s-affirming-that-we-can-look-at-any-experience-from-the-fullness/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/sharon-salzberg-562_affirming_it-s-affirming-that-we-can-look-at-any-e_3143925.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/sharon-salzberg-562_affirming_it-s-affirming-that-we-can-look-at-any-e_3143925.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/sharon-salzberg-562_affirming_it-s-affirming-that-we-can-look-at-any-e_3143925.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It’s affirming that we can look at any experience from the fullness of our being and get past the shame we…” — Sharon Salzberg",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Sharon Salzberg",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“It’s affirming that we can look...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/it-s-affirming-that-we-can-look-at-any-experience-from-the-fullness/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/it-s-affirming-that-we-can-look-at-any-experience-from-the-fullness/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
