Buddhability

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

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses trauma and attempted suicide.Today’s episode is about mental health. Our guest is Tanushree Salvi of Boise, Idaho, who started her practice of SGI Nichiren Buddhism when she came to the U.S. for school and was introduced to chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo by a college roommate. Tanushree shares the story of how she was able to take the steps to take care of her own mental health through a combination of professional support and her Buddhist practice, as well as how she learned to value her own life and unique beauty.CHEAT SHEET1:02 Introduction to Tanushree2:18 How she started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo6:18 The first changes she witnessed in herself13:09 Tanushree’s struggle with her mental health15:10 The steps she took after being hospitalized17:28 How she found the right therapist20:01 How her inner determination to heal impacted her environment 21:54 What “kosen-rufu” means and how it helps us give meaning to our struggles27:18 How she used Buddhism and therapy to heal32:32 What it takes to have compassion for yourself34:49 How she’s doing now41:28 Her favorite Buddhist concept (see: The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, pg. 125-6)43:46 Advice for anyone currently struggling with their mental health45:40 A closing quote from Ikeda References mentioned:Buddhist Solutions for Life’s Problems Podcast: A Buddhist Perspective on Mental HealthBuddhability Community Talk: A Conversation on Mental and Spiritual Well-being

Today we’re talking about college: how hard it can be to decide where to go and what to pursue, and how to find your purpose while there.Our guest is Josef Gaudiesus, a football coach and high school teacher in Texas, who shares his own journey of getting into college and how beginning his Buddhist practice while there helped him find confidence, a winning attitude and a sense of purpose. CHEAT SHEET1:32 How Josef got introduced to Buddhism2:17 How he decided to become a teacher and football coach5:25 What his own struggles in high school and college were12:34 The goals he set when he starting chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in college24:06 How he accomplished all three goals26:45 What it means to win in Buddhism29:31 What his vision is for the young people he is teaching38:43 How he sees his purpose46:28 Advice for anyone who is feeling unsure about what steps to take to move their life forward

Today we’re talking about family and what to do if you just can’t reconcile differences with them.Our guests are sisters Lauren and Molly Leebove from Michigan, whose intertwined stories of beginning their Buddhist practice and transforming their relationship with their parents are rich with lessons on what Buddhability looks like in a family setting.CHEAT SHEET1:22 Quote from Daisaku Ikeda in The New Human Revolution, vol. 26 p. 203–4.2:04 Introduction to Molly and Lauren2:54 How Molly started practicing SGI Nichiren Buddhism5:45 What Lauren’s reaction was to her sister’s practice and why she started her own7:37 What it was like growing up eight years apart12:08 Lauren’s struggle with her mental health in college17:28 How they both ended up back home in Michigan19:37 How Molly decided to challenge her struggle with being home21:44 The Buddhist concept “transforming karma into mission”24:12 How Lauren’s life changed when she started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo26:43 Why caring for others can be so healing30:42 What it takes to set aside political or social differences39:31 How Lauren transformed rejection into shared love44:56 How starting fresh in every moment can change relationship dynamics51:58 What uniting for family harmony looks like56:31 How Buddhism changed my sister61:06 Advice for anyone struggling with a family rift

Today we have a trailer for a new video that we just released: Oneness of Life and Environment Explained. Can I actually influence what’s happening around me for the better? Do I really have control over my circumstances? At times it may seem like we don’t have much say in how our lives will go. But Buddhism teaches that people and their surroundings are interconnected. This is a key concept to understand on your Buddhability journey, in order to realize that we are the protagonists of our lives, not bystanders.

To celebrate our 40th episode and one year since we launched Buddhability, we’re looking back at highlights from past episodes. Reflecting on the feelings described by social psychologist Amy Cuddy and writer JillEllyn Riley in their recent article about “pandemic flux syndrome” we consider 4 tips on how to refresh yourself if you’re feeling worn out or anxious.Episodes referenced:Episode 7: Winning morning, winning lifeEpisode 24: On boundaries and true self-careEpisode 32: Navigating death and illnessEpisode 3: Buddhism, therapy and how people actually change

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