On Buddhism and Appreciation

11/10/22 • 42 min

Today we're talking about appreciation, which is central to Buddhism in so many ways and yet, easier to talk about than truly practice, especially when it comes to the tougher circumstances in our lives. Our guest is Doris Edwards, of Philadelphia, who has been chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for many years. We discuss the Buddhist perspective on appreciation and her own journey toward it.

CHEAT SHEET

2:18 How Doris encountered Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

6:16 What shifted within her when she started chanting

11:14 Why appreciation is so important in Buddhism

14:36 Having appreciation when you’re struggling

19:35 What it means to pursue true happiness

23:08 The turning point in her own journey toward appreciation

29:19 Why Doris treasures human revolution

35:47 A few favorite Buddhist quotes

40:54 Advice for anyone new to Buddhism

References:

CHEAT SHEET

2:18 How Doris encountered Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

6:16 What shifted within her when she started chanting

11:14 Why appreciation is so important in Buddhism

14:36 Having appreciation when you’re struggling

19:35 What it means to pursue true happiness

23:08 The turning point in her own journey toward appreciation

29:19 Why Doris treasures human revolution

35:47 A few favorite Buddhist quotes

40:54 Advice for anyone new to Buddhism

References:

Previous Episode

Overcoming the need for approval

Today we're talking about how to stop seeking the approval of other people, which, on the one hand, is a normal human desire, and on the other, can cause us the deepest suffering when we don't receive it. It can be especially worse when the approval or praise we seek is from our loved ones.

Our guest is Dave Drake, who practices Buddhism in New York City, and shares his journey with this very struggle, both in his personal life and as a musician, The episode is filled with practical insights about how to apply the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to transform the desire for approval into of a life state of humility, appreciation, forward momentum and true confidence.

CHEAT SHEET

1:20 How Dave encountered Buddhism and decided to try chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

3:23 The feeling that made him want to continue

7:26 The struggle of constantly seeking approval from others

12:35 How he approached chanting about this pattern in his life

19:42 The Buddhist quotes he loves

22:28 How his relationship with his father changed

31:06 What applying Buddhist philosophy to daily life looks like

40:35 Advice for anyone feeling stuck in a situation where they don’t feel seen

References mentioned:

Learning From Nichiren’s Writings: The Teachings for Victory, vol. 4, p. 28
Lecture: Everything Begins With Prayer Infused With the Shared Vow of Mentor and Disciple
Discussions on Youth, p. 8

Next Episode

How To Do It All, With Dr. Gitima Sharma

Today we’re talking about how to do it all when you have a full plate. Whether you are an overwhelmed parent or caregiver aspiring to build a career you love, or lacking the support you wish you had to care for yourself and everything else in your life, doing it all can be tough. And amid the chaos, we tend to be hardest on ourselves.

Dr. Gitima Sharma, of California State University, talks us through how she approaches this subject as a counselor educator, and also as a Buddhist practitioner and working mom with two young children.

CHEAT SHEET

1:34 How Gitima started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

13:11 Her own experience with “doing it all”

19:22 The challenges of self-doubt, self-comparison and perfectionism

28:04 What having a sense of purpose means in Buddhism

32:02 What research says about having a sense of purpose

45:46 How to increase your sense of purpose

53:31 A favorite Buddhist quote about time and enlightenment

56:27 Advice for anyone who is struggling to do it all

References: