10% Happier with Dan Harris cover image

10% Happier with Dan Harris

Buddhist Strategies for Suffering Less and Improving Your Meditation | Lama Rod Owens

Oct 25, 2023
Lama Rod Owens is an authorized lama in the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism and the author of "The New Saints." He delves into why he’s "no longer interested in being a good person" and emphasizes the importance of embracing imperfection. Discussions include characteristics of the 'New Saints,' self-care's role in spirituality, and how societal changes shape modern sainthood. Lama Rod also explores the connection between spiritual practices and social justice, urging listeners to honor personal needs while fostering community engagement.
01:12:28

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The concept of a New Saint redefines sainthood as a self-interested version of saintliness that focuses on personal happiness and improving the world, aligning with the Buddhist concept of Bodhisattva.
  • Embracing imperfections and understanding that goodness is a continuous process are important aspects of being a good person, which involves consistently choosing actions that reduce harm and violence for oneself and others.

Deep dives

The New Saint: A Messy and Self-Interested Version of Sainthood

In this podcast episode, Lamaraad Owens discusses his concept of the New Saint in his new book. He reinterprets sainthood as a messy and self-interested version of saintliness that focuses on personal happiness and improving the world. Owens emphasizes the importance of reclaiming the word 'saint' and shares how the new understanding of sainthood aligns with the Buddhist concept of Bodhisattva. The new saint is someone who practices awakened care, which combines compassion, love, joy, and gratitude. Owens also highlights the importance of responsiveness and the ability to respond to situations rather than react. He encourages listeners to find joy and gratitude in the midst of challenging times and to reestablish a harmonious relationship with the natural world.

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