“Compassion on the Ranch: A Buddhist Vegetarian’s Journey in Texas”
By Åsa Nilsson | Jan 31, 2025
Sharon’s story is nothing short of extraordinary—a Buddhist vegetarian who now calls a ranch in Weimar, Texas home, where she lives with her beloved husband, Chip. In an unexpected twist of fate, they unintentionally became the owners—and saviors—of nine cows that were destined for slaughter.
Sharon’s journey into Buddhism took her from retreats in Nepal, Tibet, and Colorado to a practice centered on slowing down, staying grounded, and making choices rooted in love and forgiveness. Sharon shares how she balances her beliefs with the culture around her, inspired by Pema Chödrön’s wisdom: “Be kinder to yourself, then let that kindness flood the world.”
This episode is a powerful reminder to foster peace within, focus on what truly matters, and live authentically, no matter how unconventional the path. 🌟
I hope you enjoy this spectacular woman as much as I do.
.
Xx,
Åsa
Guest: Sharon Jackson
IN THIS EPISODE I TALK ABOUT:
- Sharon lives on a ranch in Weimar, TX.
- Buddhist saving animals (cows) from death row.
- Raised in rural Houston then in the city center for over 40 years, what’s it like to live as a Buddhist rancher in a small town in Texas now?
- Proof that there is more than one way to live your life.
- When did Sharon discover Buddhism?
- Traveled to Nepal, Tibet (2x), Colorado many retreats in Houston, learned from the Masters, how has Sharon’s practice taken on a different flavour?
- “What will bring me alive?”
- Her journey brought her to a place of slowing down, which gives her the opportunity to make choices and not to be reactive but responsive.
- Slowing Down: helps her remain calmer, be more loving, more forgiving and less judgemental.
- “Residing in that state versus visiting it requires a lot of attention,”
- “Stay Home”, emotionally. How to stay in her own lane and focus on what is hers to fix and work on instead of allowing outside forces to drain and overwhelm her energy.
- As a vegetarian living on a ranch in Texas, how does that impact her friendships in their small town? “I don’t (generally) judge a culture or lifestyle where that’s not the case”.
- Pema Chödrön: “Be kinder to yourself then let that kindness flood the world.”
- Slow down, stay present, stay home and shine on.
- “My quality I can share is my love and compassion. I have lots of it.”
- Mary Oliver poem, “When I am among the trees”.
- Åsa pulled the Hanged Man tarot card.
- Up to each of us to foster peace, it starts with us personally.
- Working with her patterns, what does this mean?
- “Equanimity comes out of speciousness”.
- Sharon’s thoughts on kindness.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Pema Chödrön: https://pemachodronfoundation.org/
- Mary Oliver poem: “When I am Among the Trees.”
- Hanged Man tarot card, Rider Waite tarot deck.
WHERE CAN YOU FIND ÅSA:
Contact Information for Komeil Asli, Podcast Production Manager.
Freelance Graphic designer, UI/UX Designer and Front-end Developer.
To find out more about working with Åsa and Thomas, reach out via our website here: https://moremosstothepeople.com/contact/
Subscribe on Spotify, ACast, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts + YouTube (@AsaNilsson).
Like and follow us on Instagram, @AsaNilssonSweden.
If you have any general questions or comments for the show, click moremosstothepeople@gmail.com.
If you’d like to work with us, moremosstothepeople@gmail.com.
Thank you so much for listening!
Xx,
Åsa
You can find us here: