Buddhability

Today we are discussing limiting beliefs and self-doubt. Whatever form they take for you, whether it’s your own negative self-talk, the way you see yourself or limitations others have placed on you that you’ve internalized, transforming limiting beliefs can be hard. Fortunately, the essence of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is to do exactly this. By strengthening our Buddhability, we can transform our limitations. Our guest is Rachel Mundus, who practices Buddhism in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Today she shares the many self-doubts she has had to challenge on the long journey toward her dream of becoming a dentist for the people.CHEAT SHEET1:29 Why Rachel began chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo3:09 Where her dream to provide dental care came from5:28 The difference she felt once she started chanting9:20 What her work is now11:43 Her greatest challenge along the way16:13 Key turning points in challenging her limiting beliefs24:19 What it looks like to strengthen your determination daily30:10 The impact of learning to enjoy the journey35:02 How she decided to tackle school again41:02 How she uprooted her “tree of self-doubt”43:53 Advice for anyone struggling with limiting beliefs or self-doubtReferencesThe New Human Revolution, vol. 26, p. 149.The New Human Revolution, vol. 9, p. 153.The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, p. 363.Sign up for our newsletter (and this week’s life hacks) here. 

Today we are talking about what it takes to become unshakable. Our guest is Brittany Jones, who recently became the youngest elementary school principal in the country's second largest school district. She shares her journey into education, and how, at a crucial turning point in her career as an educational leader, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her challenge her own insecurities and win each day. This episode is especially relevant for anyone who struggles with limiting themselves or easing their anxiety by trying to control their schedule a little too much. It’s also an incredible illustration of how sometimes, letting go and focusing on the present is the greatest strength of all.CHEAT SHEET1:50 Why Brittany started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 8:58 How she became interested in education13:01 Her journey to become an elementary school principal29:28 Finding the courage to stay the course34:17 How her Buddhist practice helps her identify her priorities37:54 Supporting the Buddhability of children39:19 The importance of winning in the morning45:44 How Brittany learned to let go of the need for control50:00 The impact of chanting on becoming unshakable53:05 Brittany’s favorite Buddhist quote55:09 How she defines her Buddhability57:13 Her vision for what’s next59:40 Advice for anyone new to BuddhismReferencesThe New Human Revolution, vol. 30, p. 53.April 2016 Living Buddhism, p. 49.The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, vol. 1, p. 70. How to start chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

Today we’re about talking about how to find your path forward during a period of uncertainty. We’re joined by Shota Okajima, of New Jersey, who shares how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped him overcome tremendous anxiety about his path forward after college. Until then, Shota’s identity had been entirely tied to his ice hockey career, but once he started chanting, he discovered so much more of himself.CHEAT SHEET1:23 Why Shota started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo4:05 Letting go of his ice hockey career10:02 What shifted once he began chanting about his situation15:25 How he discovered a new career path20:53 What it means to win where you are by transforming your life condition24:17 Thinking about Buddhism as a sport25:21 The power of having a community or team29:06 What daily effort in Buddhist practice looks like33:06 The Buddhist quote that kept Shota going 40:57 How Shota defines his own Buddhability43:41 Advice to anyone who feels stuck about their futureReferences:The New Human Revolution, vol. 24, p. 117.Hope is Life’s Treasure

Today we’re talking about identity and relationships. Briana Boche, of Seattle, shares her story of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and how she developed confidence in the practice of human revolution, that is, the process of continually chanting to reveal our Buddhability—courage, wisdom and compassion for ourselves and others.One aspect of Briana’s life where her Buddhist practice carried her through was exploring her own relationship with sexuality and eventually realizing that she is ace, short for asexual. CHEAT SHEET1:40 How Briana started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo7:06 How a setback after college helped her find a new path11:19 Getting connected to the Buddhist community in Seattle20:20 Briana’s journey of exploring her sexuality and identity27:53 What happened when she started chanting to find a partner31:44 Coming to terms with a big realization40:21 What it took to challenge her own insecurities44:06 How she’s chanting about the future47:45 Her favorite Buddhist quote50:37 Advice for anyone new to BuddhismReferences mentioned:“On the Buddha’s Prophecy,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 402.Discussions on Youth, p. 27.Discussions on Youth, p. 8.

Today we’re talking about the impact our environment has on us. In Buddhism, a crucial concept called “the oneness of life and environment” teaches that our environment is simply a reflection of our own life. Because they are interconnected, when we change internally, it’s reflected in our environment. For an explainer on the topic, check out this video.To unpack this idea, we’re speaking with Nile Ross, of Santa Monica, California, about how his practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo has enabled him to become someone whose internal sense of confidence and self-love outweighs any negativity he experiences from his environment. Based on this shift, he has created a life and career he truly loves.CHEAT SHEET1:24 Nile’s early experiences with chanting Nam-myoho-reng-kyo15:51 The turning point he experienced in 201825:28 How he came to redefine happiness for himself30:51 The impact of making chanting a priority37:08 How he transformed early experiences with bullying and racism into a sense of purpose44:08 Becoming a better person by overcoming struggles49:04 Nile’s favorite Buddhist quotes about revolution52:29 Advice for anyone new to BuddhismReferences:Video: Oneness of Life and Environment Explained The New Human Revolution, vol. 2, p. 39The New Human Revolution, vol. 26, p. 110Correction: It was mentioned that the 50k Lions of Justice Festival took place in 3 cities, but it actually took place in 9.

Today we’re speaking with Asia Harvey-Wright, who goes by Harvey, about their first steps practicing Buddhism after encountering the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in 2020, during one of the darkest periods of their life.This episode is all about the courage it takes to be open to one's Buddhability. Harvey shares how, in the face of  addiction and mental health challenges, they unearthed their own hope, creativity and desire to move forward.CHEAT SHEET1:35 How Harvey encountered Buddhism4:45 What their initial experience of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo was like7:10 The struggles they were facing at the time12:58 Initial steps they took to begin their practice15:58 The difference they saw through chanting22:30 A Buddhist concept that stuck with them25:39 Their experience with the Buddhist community27:55 How chanting is helping them navigate mental health challenges34:21 Their goals for the future36:58 Advice for anyone who is new to chantingReferences:Discussions on Youth, p. xLearning From the Writings: The Hope-filled Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 107

Today we’re talking with journalist Melissa Hirsch about how her Buddhist practice helped her navigate her career journey. This episode is especially relevant for anyone who may have a dream they are pursuing but is finding the path to get there a bit more winding than they expected. Melissa explains how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her transform her childhood dream of becoming a journalist into a deep desire to use her voice for justice.CHEAT SHEET1:04 How Melissa started practicing Buddhism6:46 Why she wanted to pursue journalism9:05 Her first steps on her career path15:03 The tension between survival and purpose18:08 The challenges she faced in graduate school22:35 How chanting helped her succeed in her investigative work25:54 Overcoming social anxiety and imposter syndrome32:40 Melissa’s favorite Buddhist quote37:35 How her growing sense of purpose allowed her to open a new career path45:48 What she does now49:05 The role that the Buddhist community played in her journey51:20 What true confidence is53:10 Advice for anyone navigating their careerReferences:The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, volume 6, p. 244Discussions on Youth, p. 73

Today we’re talking about the startup journey, though this episode is filled with lessons for anyone starting anything, be it a company, a project or just a fresh path in life. Creating something new, especially together with other people, requires tremendous wisdom, courage and compassion, which are the very qualities of our Buddhability.Tushar Dadlani, of Dublin, California, shares his journey of moving to Silicon Valley to start a company, and exactly how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped him navigate the rollercoaster.CHEAT SHEET1:10 How Tushar started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo3:11 The perspective on world peace that intrigued him5:07 Why he came to the U.S. to pursue his dreams of working in tech8:04 How he decided to start a company12:33 How his Buddhist practice helped him manifest courage15:55 The key turning points in his journey as an entrepreneur 18:56 How he learned not to be swayed22:44 Mastering the art of dialogue28:27 How he battled his own arrogance33:12 Applying the Buddhist concept “many in body, one in mind” to work38:46 Nine takeaways on the abilities entrepreneurs need40:13 The importance of staying true to himself43:58 How he thinks about peace now46:56 Advice for anyone on a journey to create somethingReferencesDiscussions on Youth, pp. 101–102

Today we’re talking about how to persevere on a career path when the odds are stacked against you. Mardi Tan, of Long Beach, California, shares her incredible journey to pursue a career in aviation, an industry in which less than 5% of pilots are women. Her Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her navigate being a woman, being out, and overcoming every obstacle that came her way in order to open a path for other female pilots.CHEAT SHEET0:47 How Mardi starting practicing Buddhism6:45 Discovering her dream to become a pilot14:25 How chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her navigate fear18:26 What it took for her to bring her authentic self to a male-dominated industry21:22 How she dealt with discrimination28:04 The Buddhist concept that helped her persevere30:44 The ups and downs that almost made her give up38:17 How lifting up others helped her keep going40:19 Her vision for the future of aviation41:46 Advice for anyone struggling to pursue their dreamReferences:Discussions on Youth, p. 105

Today we’re talking how to move on after experiencing loss. Our guest is Hannah Jones, of Ohio, who shares how she encountered SGI Nichiren Buddhism while in high school, and how it helped her navigate the loss of her best friend—her older brother—and ultimately find her way back to her dreams.CHEAT SHEET1:03 How Hannah started practicing Buddhism as a teenager5:05 Her first experience chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo10:00 The family dynamics she chanted about15:53 How Buddhism helped her deal with the loss of her brother28:09 The shift in their relationship32:01 How having Buddhist friends helped at the darkest time37:59 Hannah’s favorite Buddhist quote41:06 The internal breakthrough she experienced47:07 Her dream to go into psychology48:43 Advice for anyone grappling with lossReferences:Discussions on Youth, p. 69A Piece of Mirror and Other Essays, p. 83