Ep. 231 - Taming the Mind with Buddhist Martial Artist Damiano Seiryū Finizio and Vincent Moore

Uncovering the deep connection between Buddhism and Martial Arts, Damiano Seiryū Finizio joins Vincent Moore to explore what it truly means to face our most powerful opponent: the mind.

This conversation was originally recorded on Paths of Practice Podcast. Listen to more episodes HERE.

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This time on the BHNN Guest Podcast, Damiano and Vincent discuss:

• What initially brought Damiano to Buddhism after growing up in Italy, a predominantly Catholic country
• How Buddhism can be harmonious with martial arts 
• Working on self-development and mutual growth rather than sparring 
• Maintaining perfect mental presence during times of physical discomfort 
• Following the Buddhist precepts and adopting a vegan diet for the principal of no-harm
• Mountains as natural energy centers
• Damiano’s global work and exposure to unique cultures in Vietnam, Cambodia, The Canary Islands, and more
• Bringing the message of peace, awareness, and compassion into the west
• Damiano’s advice for beginners walking the Buddhist path

About Damiano Seiryū Finizio:

Damiano Finizio was born in Italy in 1992. He began practicing traditional Japanese martial arts in 2012, where he met the Buddhist monk Seiun, who transformed his curiosity for Eastern disciplines and philosophies into dedicated practice. In 2014, he officially took refuge in the Dharma at Tenryuzanji Temple, receiving the name Seiryu, symbolizing his deep bond with his teacher and the temple. Since 2020, he has been living and working in Spain as a hostel owner, while also working seasonally in Italy and Croatia as a trip leader during the warmer months. Despite his commitments, he remains an active member of the Tenryuzanji community and continues to participate in its activities whenever possible.For more information about Tenryuzanji Temple, please click HERE. To keep up with Damiano, visit his Instagram.

“The advice is don’t do it yourself. It’s very likely to happen that you’re trying to tame your mind, but if you don’t know how to do it, most likely your mind will tame you and make you feel like you’re moving forward, but you’re just looking for comfort. This is why a teacher is important.“ –Damiano Seiryū Finizio

About Vincent Moore:

Vincent Moore is a creative and creative consultant living in San Francisco, California, with over a decade of experience in the entertainment industry and holds a graduate degree in Buddhist Studies. For years, he performed regularly at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, an improv and sketch comedy theatre based in New York and Los Angeles. As an actor, Vincent performed on Comedy Central, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Seth Meyers, Above Average, and The UCB Show on Seeso. As a writer, he developed for television as well as stage, including work with the Blue Man Group, and his own written projects have been featured on websites such as Funny or Die. Additionally, he received a Masters of Buddhist Studies from the Institute of Buddhist Studies with a Certificate in Soto Zen Studies and engages in a personal Buddhist practice within the Soto Zen tradition. Vincent is also the creator and host of the podcast, Paths of Practice, which features interviews with Buddhists from all over the world. Learn more on Vincent’s website HERE.

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