Buddhability

Today we’re addressing a feeling that can be experienced universally: feeling disconnected from yourself. Sometimes, our life looks pretty good on paper and we’re lucky enough to have meaningful work and relationships, but still, deep inside, we feel…nothing.Our guest is Rodrigo Carvalhedo, an animator and writer based in Los Angeles who started practicing SGI Nichiren Buddhism a few years ago, when he moved to the U.S. from Brazil to pursue an artistic career.Ever since then, he has been taking steps forward in his career, but halfway through the pandemic, he started to feel a deep sense of inertia. You know, that feeling that you’re going through the motions, and while you look okay, inside, you’re really struggling?We discuss how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the essential practice of SGI Nichiren Buddhism, can help you reconnect with yourself and find a sense of purpose again.CHEAT SHEET2:40 How Rodrigo discovered Buddhism through Instagram4:40 What motivated him to dive into the practice7:27 How he saw himself change once he started chanting10:45 The roots of his dream to become a writer and animator15:06 How the daily practice of chanting affected his work, both internally and externally20:32 When the inertia and emptiness set in during the pandemic23:23 What he did to address his feelings26:27 What happiness means in Buddhism30:32 How he reconnected with his practice35:36 A Buddhist quote that captures his experience37:12 How making an internal shift translated to a shift in his environment39:28 Advice for anyone who is feeling disconnected or empty right now

Today we’re speaking with Krystal Kalima, a 22-year-old college student from Hawai’i who started practicing SGI Nichiren Buddhism when she was in high school.Krystal’s story is a lesson in what it takes to overcome shame and become proud of where you’re from. Growing up, she and her mom experienced extreme financial hardship, which led her to feel ashamed about sharing her circumstances with other people.Around this time, she started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to address the deeper feelings she held about her circumstances, and one by one, she tackled each thing that made her feel less than, turning each one into fuel for her dreams.CHEAT SHEET1:28 Introduction to Krystal2:07 How she started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo5:48 The financial challenges she faced growing up12:58 The epiphany that helped her change her perspective15:48 How she began to tackle feelings of shame through her Buddhist practice21:14 How her family’s situation started to change24:55 What it means to transform family karma26:08 How she decided what to challenge next30:29 Battling her own self-doubt35:05 Battling stigma in her environment 42:58 How being part of a Buddhist community has helped her become who she is47:46 Advice for anyone struggling with feelings of shame or powerlessness about their background

Today we’re talking about music and creativity with special guest Nikolai Fraiture, who is best known for being the bassist of The Strokes.He also created a new theme song for Buddhability, which we’re so excited for you to hear!Nikolai started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which is the core practice of SGI Nichiren Buddhism, just a few years ago. Today he shares how he has seen his Buddhist practice impact his life and his work.Plus, this year, which is the 20th anniversary of their breakout album, Is This It, The Strokes won the 2021 Grammy Award for Best Rock Album for their newest album titled The New Abnormal. Nikolai discusses his experience recording the album, as well as his journey with the band from the age of 19.CHEAT SHEET0:35 Buddhability’s new theme song by Nikolai Fraiture2:13 How Nikolai started practicing Buddhism5:03 How chanting first felt to him6:49 The changes he noticed in himself10:33 How Nikolai got into music as a teenager15:02 The first two years of being The Strokes18:38 What the hardest part of the creative process is22:35 How he dealt with his health challenges30:03 How Buddhism helped him change preconceived notions and judgments 33:47 When his bandmates noticed he 37:21 The evolution of his creative process as a musician43:12 How Buddhism resonates with what he learned from one of his first bass teachers48:25 What went into recording The New Abnormal52:20 Key concepts from Buddhism and basketball56:36 Advice for aspiring young musicians59:30 How Nikolai’s relationship with his brother changed due to Buddhism1:07:28 Where to check out Arts Elektra

Today’s episode is about the power of believing in yourself, even if the people around you don’t. Having the courage to pursue the life you want isn’t easy, and it’s especially hard when the people around you put you in a box, or limit what they believe you can do. But Buddhism teaches us how to live a life of unlimited courage. Our guest is Jenny Ye, of Michigan who started her practice of SGI Nichiren Buddhism as a teenager in South Korea.After being given little choice about her career options because of her gender, she decided to chant to transform her relationship with her family and believe in her own dreams. Today, she shares that journey and how, after conquering her fears back home, she was able to navigate entering a male-dominated industry in the United States, where she faced similar disbelief. Still, she won over it all.CHEAT SHEET2:07 Why Jenny started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo4:08 How she knew chanting worked 5:13 How her relationship with her father changed10:40 What it took to begin a new career-path on her own terms17:35 How she dealt with feeling like an outsider in the U.S.19:55 How she learned to believe in herself24:20 Her favorite Buddhist concept about individuality28:37 Her dream for the future30:37 How her dad feels about her Buddhist practice now33:32 Advice for anyone who feels limited by their environment or circumstances 

You’re invited to a conversation hosted by Buddhability on how to overcome negative self-talk. We teamed up with Celebrity Makeup Artist Janice Kinjo, Former NFL Player Josh Scobey and Learning Behavior Specialist Jennifer Cook who will share their stories of overcoming self-doubt and negative self talk. When: Saturday, August 28, 2021 @ 11am PT / 1pm CT / 2pm ETRegister here: https://buddhability.org/practice/buddhability-talk-how-to-overcome-negative-self-talk/

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 others 49:55 Advice for anyone feeling afraid to open the door to their own life

Today’s episode is an in-depth conversation with actor Vinessa Shaw, who is known for her success as a child actor in movies such as Ladybugs and Hocus Pocus and then, as an adult, in Eyes Wide Shut and most recently, 12 Mighty Orphans, which is in theaters.Vinessa has been practicing Buddhism since childhood, and today she shares her honest experience dealing with success at a young age, struggling with perfectionism and finding true self-worth.She also shares advice on auditioning and rejection for actors, and her three favorite Buddhist quotes.CHEAT SHEET1:59 Why Vinessa started practicing Buddhism7:06 How she got into acting and the challenges of success as a child actor24:28 The role that chanting played in dealing with depression and anxiety33:45 What is self-esteem when you’re in the spotlight?40:07 How Buddhism helped her navigate taking a break from acting47:30 How she feels about acting now51:38 How chanting helped her battle negative self-talk57:32 Advice on rejection, especially for actors64:01 Being in rhythm and how she got 12 Mighty Orphans66:58 Three Buddhist quotes on believing in yourself

Tomorrow, we are kicking off our 31-Day Chanting Journey so today’s episode is filled with practical tips and advice on how to make the most of it, especially if one of your reasons for doing it is to address negative self-talk.Out guest is Erin Harris, who grew up practicing Buddhism in the Bay Area. Erin’s own story is so moving. She grew up with a stutter and at a young age, realized that the only time she felt she could really be her authentic self and not stutter was while chanting. Today, she breaks down how chanting works, and how it can help address questions of self-esteem, inner negativity and making every day a quality one.If you’re listening to this in August, join the chanting journey by signing up for our daily newsletter at www.buddhability.org.You’ll get daily prompts that you can combine with your chanting to fuel your growth, a downloadable calendar, as well as inspiration from others in the Buddhability community.CHEAT SHEET1:47 How Erin started practicing Buddhism3:15 Her experience with stuttering and how chanting helped6:18 How to chant and what it means9:02 The purpose of the Gohonzon and your altar10:47 What you can chant about15:02 Some tips on intention-setting if you are just starting out18:28 The role of the Buddhist community22:25 How to address negative self-talk26:35 Erin's own experiences overcoming negative self-talk through a chanting challenge32:18 Where to start if your struggle with self-esteem feels overwhelming39:01 Why it is important to be consistent with chanting42:16 One piece of advice for anyone starting the chanting journey

Just a short announcement today to share that starting August 1 we are doing another 31-Day Buddhability Journey where we invite you to try chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for the month of August! Sign up at www.buddhability.org/journey

Today we are addressing how to navigate the loss of a loved one or support them through serious illness. While everyone's experience and circumstances are different, our guest, Jonathan Teran, shares his family's story, and the takeaways feel truly universal.           In August 2020, Jonathan lost his father to pulmonary fibrosis, and today he shares how his family used their Buddhist practice to navigate the journey, from finding him care, to supporting him during hospice, to dealing with the grief that came afterward.On top of all of this, his father’s battle took place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas, all while Jonathan himself was in his first few months as a resident physician.CHEAT SHEET1:30 How Jonathan started practicing Buddhism4:16 Why he decided to pursue a career in medicine10:29 His father's battle with illness17:30 How his family used their Buddhist practice to navigate the experience24:15 What they learned by studying Buddhism together30:04 What his darker moments felt like and how chanting helped35:06 How he is navigating grief38:52 The impact it had on his work as a doctor45:54 How chanting can help you bring out your best self49:42 What his dream is for the future51:38 Advice for anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one