Buddhability

“Tips & Insights” new episode series in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life!Today’s is: the oneness of life and its environment.References:Winning Over Ourselves Brings Victory in All Other RealmsVideo: Oneness of Life and Environment Explained

Today we’re talking about what it takes to believe that you can be happy, even when you’re facing the most difficult circumstances. Our guest is Christina Moran, of El Paso, Texas, who shares her own journey of pursuing happiness after experiencing a series of very challenging events that made her feel like she had hit rock bottom. CHEAT SHEET2:29 How Christina encountered Buddhism7:30 The grief and postpartum depression she was experiencing at the time10:13 The Buddhist book that turned things around for her14:38 What changed in her first month of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo17:02 Her initial goals for herself22:35 Survival vs. Happiness29:48 What it took to reconnect to happiness39:54 The role of the Buddhist community41:46 Her favorite Buddhist quotes43:51 Advice for anyone who feels like happiness isn’t an option for themReferences mentioned: Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth and Death “The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 149“To My Friends,” from the June 23, 2020, Seikyo Shimbun

Today we're talking about what wellness really means from a Buddhist perspective. Our guest is Erica Stein, L.A.-based co-host of the podcast Courageous Wellness, and Buddhist practitioner. We cover everything from the powerful experiences that led to Erica beginning her own practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, to what she’s learned about wellness through producing her podcast.CHEAT SHEET1:55 How Erica started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo3:01 The family struggles that taught her the value of Buddhism9:16 Erica’s own struggle with weight that led to a wellness journey20:03 What it means to treasure your life22:11 Overcoming body dysmorphia 27:22 The power of community30:07 How to learn how to take care of yourself33:08 Helping others is self-care34:02 How her wellness journey inspires her work42:07 Connections between wellness and Buddhism45:03 Turning poison into medicine50:22 Advice for anyone who is struggling with their wellness journeyReferencesChanging Poison into MedicineDiscussions on Youth, p. 16

Today we're talking with Bobby Eppsteiner, a surgeon in Massachusetts, who shares the story of how he used his Buddhist practice to beat the odds and become a doctor, even when he was told he wouldn't make it. Key takeaway: Never give up.CHEAT SHEET1:31 How Bobby started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo2:15 What inspired his dream of going into medicine3:53 The challenges he faced getting into medical school8:44 How he used his Buddhist practice to counter being discouraged 11:15 The day-to-day life of a surgeon17:48 How he developed the strength to deal with high-stress situations27:10 The role of the Buddhist community in his victory31:07 Bobby’s favorite Buddhist quote33:50 Advice for anyone who feels they are pursuing something impossible References:“General Stone Tiger,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 953The Never-Give-Up Queen

“Tips & Insights” new episode series in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life! Today’s is: the oneness of body and mind.References:We Are Connected to Everyone, EverythingOur Resolve is EverythingIs the Mind-Body Connection Real?Mindfulness and Buddhism

Today we're talking about what it takes to live your life as the main character or protagonist. Our guest is Nadia Ullah Morin, of Texas, who shares her journey practicing Buddhism after an unexpected series of events took her off the life path she had envisioned for herself. Through consistently chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, she found the courage to create a new path for herself.CHEAT SHEET1:10 How Nadia encountered Buddhism3:50 Why it felt hard for her to continue practicing12:26 How becoming a young mom impacted her life and self-worth14:12 What drove her to begin chanting consistently20:28 The role the Buddhist community played in her life24:08 The turning point that transformed her marriage37:00 How she came to love her life39:54 Living life as the main character45:27 Her favorite Buddhist concept49:52 Why community is so important52:41 Advice for anyone who feels like they’ve lost their wayReferencesDaisaku IkedaMindfulness and Buddhism

Today's episode is a conversation with psychologist Elizabeth Merrick about anxiety, therapy, Buddhism, and how they all connect. Sometimes it helps to examine what Buddhability looks like from different perspectives, identifying  parallels between the work of experts in different fields and how Buddhism views the potential of human beings.  Elizabeth's insights are unique because she has experience counseling young adults, training mental health professionals and being in therapy herself, all while practicing Buddhism.CHEAT SHEET1:27 How Elizabeth started practicing Buddhism5:23 Context about her professional background as a psychologist8:34 The most common mental health challenges she sees young adults struggle with today11:22 Natural questions during different developmental stages14:21 When you think something is wrong with you21:16 Connections between Buddhism and psychology on our potential for change27:58 What anxiety is and why we experience it32:47 Overcoming anxiety38:52 Why the core elements of Buddhist practice are effective44:16 Chanting vs. mindfulness47:00 The biggest change she’s experienced through chanting54:49 The value of having a community1:00 A favorite Buddhist quote1:03:20 The difference between human revolution and self-improvement1:08:01 Advice for anyone who is struggling with anxietyReferencesDiscussions on Youth, p. 5“Letter to Niike,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1027

During the month of July, we're on short break and playing re-runs of our most popular episodes from the archives. We'll be back with brand new episodes the first Wednesday in August. This episode originally aired May 2021.Today we are covering one of our most highly requested topics: boundaries and self-care.Our guest is Jessica Riley, a mental health specialist in Florida, who most recently was a military psychologist. After struggling deeply with setting boundaries, an overwhelming workload and an inability to really take care of herself, she started chanting about her situation and came to a major realization about herself that changed everything. We’ll cover how she navigated her own experience and why caring for others doesn’t have to require sacrifice.CHEAT SHEET1:28 Jessica's journey to become a military psychologist6:31 Why she turned to chanting15:08 What the daily workload felt like25:36 Two Buddhist concepts that shifted her perspective27:45 How she found time to chant31:12 What she realized about herself41:36 What happened after she decided to prioritize self-care and boundaries41:15 What believing in yourself looks like in practice50:22 Advice for anyone struggling with self-worth or burnout

During the month of July, we're on short break and playing re-runs of our most popular episodes from the archives. We'll be back with brand new episodes the first Wednesday in August. This episode originally aired November 2021.Today we speak with Los Angeles-based actor Luca Manganaro, who shares his intertwined journey with acting and Buddhism and the lessons he learned along the way. Key takeaway: what you do, especially if you’re currently pursuing a big dream or goal that seems far away, isn’t who you are. Who you are is based on what you practice every day, how you show up in relationships, how you treat the people around you and what you base your self-worth on.CHEAT SHEET1:46 How Luca started practicing Buddhism6:03 How chanting helped him transform a lifelong health challenge13:27 How he decided to pursue acting in New York21:05 What Buddhism taught him about dealing with the ups and downs of the business30:25 Why he believes in having a Buddhist mentor36:02 How he developed a foundation for his life through community42:41 What caring for other people has to do with our own growth51:27 Advice for anyone new to Buddhism who wants to feel fulfilled Mentioned references:A Buddhability Guide to Self-Love

During the month of July, we're on short break and playing re-runs of our most popular episodes from the archives. We'll be back with brand new episodes the first Wednesday in August. This episode originally aired August 2021.Today we’re talking about work and more specifically, how to deal with feeling stuck. If you’re feeling trapped by your job or routine, or if you have a secret dream that you haven’t yet had the courage to pursue, this episode is for you.Our guest is Clara Kitongo, a young woman who started practicing Buddhism at a time when she was really feeling stuck in her career and life. Her journey with chanting opened up an entirely new perspective on what a creative life means, and now she’s living the life she always wanted.Cheat Sheet1:04 Introduction to Clara3:27 How she got stuck in a “treadmill type existence”6:04 What her dreams had been before she got stuck7:44 When and why she started practicing Buddhism11:36 How to become free from the chains of your own mind17:45 How she found her place in the workforce after school33:39 How she dealt with her pain along the journey35:36 What Buddhism says about opening the door to your life42:18 What a creative life really means44:49 How to deal with the opinions of others49:55 Advice for anyone feeling afraid to open the door to their own life