Everyday Buddhism: Making Everyday Better

Nov 7

Another solo podcast! This time it's about my Everyday Buddhism podcast journey and how I lost my "why." If you want to hear more about how important understanding what your why is, I talked about that in my second podcast episode, "Everyday Buddhism 2 - What is Your WHY?" The podcast has been such a meaningful space for me: A way to explore, connect, and grow with all my listeners. But more recently, I've noticed that the creative spark that once fueled these episodes has started to dim. I feel myself evolving and being drawn toward a wider, more spacious range of ideas and conversations than the current podcast focus or title really allows. Listen to hear more about my next steps in how I will explore ideas that expand my philosophical range. I plan to explore perennial philosophy, consciousness studies, mysticism, and contemplative traditions more broadly, Buddhism will still be part of the conversation, but not the only lens. Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits, including a membership community, a virtual sangha, and a subscription to my Everyday Buddhism Substack: https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism Check out my Substack for ongoing chapter releases of my new serial book, Living Life As It Is and the podcast, Words From My Teachers : https://wendyshinyohaylett.substack.com/ If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism Support the podcast and show your support through the purchase of Everyday Buddhism merch: https://www.zazzle.com/store/everyday_buddhism NOTE: Free shipping on ALL (unlimited) items (Everyday Buddhism merch or gifts from other stores) if you join Zazzle Plus for $19.95/year: https://www.zazzle.com/zazzleplus

Oct 11

It's been a long time since I've done a solo episode of this podcast and I've been getting requests for a bit more of those to include along with the guest episodes. And this episode is one of those. In this episode I reflect on the Fifth Realization from the sutra, The Eight Realizations of Great Beings. The Fifth Realization, as translated by Thich Nhat Hanh says: Ignorance is the cause of the endless rounds of birth and death. Bodhisattvas always listen to and learn from others so their understanding and skillful means can develop and so they can teach living beings and bring them great joy. My reflection includes a call for us not to try to "know" things but to listen. Plus, to try to help and serve others—and, ultimately, bring joy—by listening. If we don't feel or witness a lot of joy under the weight of the times, it's because there are so many of us talking and "knowing" what's right ... and not many of us listening. I end with a call to for us to help or offer positivity to at least one person every day ... to bring joy! Link (Amazon affiliate) to the book, The Eight Realizations of Great Beings by Brother Phap Hai: The Eight Realizations of Great Beings Links to the two-part episode about the Sutra on the Plum Village podcast, The Way Out is In : Part 1: https://plumvillage.org/podcast/the-eight-realizations-of-great-beings-part-one-episode-82 Part 2: https://plumvillage.org/podcast/the-eight-realizations-of-great-beings-part-two-episode-83 Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits, including a membership community, a virtual sangha, and a subscription to my Everyday Buddhism Substack: https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism Check out my Substack for ongoing chapter releases of my new serial book, Living Life As It Is and the podcast, Words From My Teachers : https://wendyshinyohaylett.substack.com/ If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism Support the podcast and show your support through the purchase of Everyday Buddhism merch: https://www.zazzle.com/store/everyday_buddhism NOTE: Free shipping on ALL (unlimited) items (Everyday Buddhism merch or gifts from other stores) if you join Zazzle Plus for $19.95/year: https://www.zazzle.com/zazzleplus

Aug 25

It's a pleasure to share a conversation with Ani Lodro Palmo, an ordained Tibetan Buddhist nun and Director of the Vajra Vidya Monastery in Crestone, Colorado; and a spiritual teacher and author with more than three decades of monastic experience. Ani has devoted her life to spiritual practice and shares her understanding of the Dharma as an author of the books, All That Appears & Exists: The Buddha's Teachings to Awaken the Heart and Turn Suffering Into Joy and her most recent, The End of Suffering: Finding Love, Self-Compassion, and Awakening in a Chaotic World . As a recognized teacher of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and meditation, Ani Lodro's insights are deeply rooted in the unbroken lineage of Buddhist wisdom, through the Karma Kagyu lineage of The Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. Although Ani has decades of monastic experience within Tibetan Buddhism, she teaches how the frustrations and dissatisfaction of our everyday lives can be understood and transcended through wisdom and compassion. She writes and speaks in an accessible way, with the gentle encouragement of a friend that is helpful to both new seekers and seasoned practitioners alike. Her teachings are available through retreats, online sessions, and publications. In the conversation we talked about a wide range things, including: How we tend to misunderstanding what suffering is. Gurus and reincarnation as a part of Tibetan Buddhism, but not a necessary part. The Four Noble Truths as a path to awakening. Taking the mystique from karma, as Ani writes: "transforming [it] from an enigmatic doctrine into a practical guide for conscious existence…. rooted in intention and behavior." Her teaching of the "7 Simple Truths to End Suffering": (1) Thoughts are nothing, they are no things; (2) Labels and thoughts create our reality; (3) When we look for our thoughts, they aren't there; (4) Your beliefs are not truth; (5) Dropping attachments is the fastest way to end suffering; (6)You can't focus on helping others and be miserable at the same time; (7) You don't need your mind (as much as you think). ... And much more. I know you will enjoy Ani Lodro's easy and relatable style of teaching and be inspired by what she has to say. Learn more about Ani Lodro Palmo: https://www.anilodroretreats.com/ Vajra Vidya Monsastery: https://vajravidya.com/ Buy her books The End of Suffering : The End of Suffering All That Appears & Exists : All That Appears & Exists Journey Into Peace: Timeless Tales of Zen Buddhism : Journey Into Peace YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@anilodroretreats Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits, including a membership community, a virtual sangha, and a subscription to my Everyday Buddhism Substack: https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism Check out my Substack for ongoing chapter releases of my new serial book, Living Life As It Is and the podcast, Words From My Teachers : https://wendyshinyohaylett.substack.com/ If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism Support the podcast and show your support through the purchase of Everyday Buddhism merch: https://www.zazzle.com/store/everyday_buddhism NOTE: Free shipping on ALL (unlimited) items (Everyday Buddhism merch or gifts from other stores) if you join Zazzle Plus for $19.95/year: https://www.zazzle.com/zazzleplus

Jul 22

I am excited to share this conversation with Henry Shukman, a Zen master in the Sanbo Zen lineage and spiritual director emeritus at Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Henry is the co-founder of The Way meditation app and founder of the Original Love meditation program. He is the author of the books, Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening and One Blade of Grass: A Zen Memoir , among other award-winning and bestselling books of poetry and fiction. He has taught meditation at Google and Harvard Business School and taught poetry at the Institute of American Indian Arts. His poetry has appeared in the New Yorker and the Guardian and his essays in the New York Times, Outside, and Tricycle. Henry has a master's degree from Cambridge and a master of letters degree from St. Andrews. As this biographical summary makes obvious, it's not like Henry hasn't been quite "discoverable", as a writer and meditation teacher but I only recently "discovered" him. And once I did, he has had a profound influence on me, as both a teacher and writer. In my conversation with him, I'll talk more about how I discovered him on Sam Harris' Waking Up app and how he became a primary teacher to me—even though we've never met—so stay tuned. In the conversation we talked about a wide range things, including: The "Four Inns on the Path of Awakening", the subtitle of his book Original Love (that is "Inns", as in lodging, or in this case, a refuge or shelter on the path of meditation): Mindfulness, support, absorption, and awakening. Meditation as a journey, or path, rather than an intervention—as Henry said, "a journey of a lifetime." Kensho or seeing the timeless, primordial or non-dual awareness that is the core of our very being. The importance of support in your practice, whether it is a teacher, community, or friend. Absorption or flow states in meditation. And the "love" Henry refers to as something "endemic to our existence" … A great sense of belonging or union with everything. … And much more I know you will enjoy this conversation and Henry's clear, authentic, and gentle teaching style that I suspect will influence you, too, to bring more of Henry's guidance into your Dharma and meditation practice. Learn more about Henry: https://henryshukman.com The Way Meditation app (12 free guided meditation sessions): The Way meditation app Buy his books, including books mentioned on podcast: Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening and One Blade of Grass: Finding the Old Road of the Heart, a Zen Memo ir All books: Amazon author page Original Love: Original Love One Blade of Grass: One Blade of Grass Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henryshukman/ Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits, including a membership community, a virtual sangha, and a subscription to my Everyday Buddhism Substack: https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism Check out my Substack for ongoing chapter releases of my new serial book, Living Life As It Is and the podcast, Words From My Teachers : https://wendyshinyohaylett.substack.com/ If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism Support the podcast and show your support through the purchase of Everyday Buddhism merch: https://www.zazzle.com/store/everyday_buddhism NOTE: Free shipping on ALL (unlimited) items (Everyday Buddhism merch or gifts from other stores) if you join Zazzle Plus for $19.95/year: https://www.zazzle.com/zazzleplus

Jun 12

As some of you have noticed and commented on, I haven't been as active in releasing podcast episodes. A few listeners were worried about me and, for your concern, I am grateful. I plan to get back to more timely podcast releases, with quite a few on my schedule, but in the meantime, I will re-run some podcast episodes so my podcast listeners will know I haven't disappeared … and to that end I will be releasing 2 early episodes: Episode 11 and Episode 12 on koans. I decided to re-release these two episodes on koans as a double episode for Episode 116, because I've been practicing with koans for a few weeks now, through the guidance of Henry Shukman and his meditation app, "The Way." As an additional note, Henry will be joining me on the podcast in July. I am quite excited to have him as a guest. Something I wanted to share with you about my recent practice with koans. To frame it, it's as if my life after falling on the ice in December and spending a couple of days in the hospital, shook the puzzle pieces I frame my reality in and left all the pieces in a heap at the bottom of the puzzle box. I started my second book, Living Life As It Is , and it seemed as if a frame on life was coming into view. But then, other odd health challenges appeared and altered my ability to do some things and caused enforced rest. The last of those was the flu/virus thing that was like a whack on the back of my head, saying, "Slow down. Stop. Rest." This time corresponded with my koan practice and the latest fascist escapades of our new "regime." The more I sunk into koan practice, the more all of life seemed a bit hazy—without definition and without anything to grasp on to as something I didn't or did like. Things just were. Everything without definition. Some of the koans I've been working with are "Not knowing is most intimate", "A bowl of rice, a bucket of water", "How do you go straight on a road with 99 turns?" Sitting with those helped create a sense of security and OK-ness in my new hazy world. A not knowing that feels like knowing everything in a non-conceptual way. A bowl of rice. What else? That's enough. And 99 turns … like my teacher, Rev. Gyomay Kubose taught, "Every day, one thing after another." So enjoy the re-release of the two koan episodes and in the meantime, I encourage you all to see how you can not grasp and unhook from things you think you need to hold tightly to. Think about the ways you can care for yourselves. It can be easy to get lost in the demands of daily life and the overwhelming noise of the dysfunctional and crazy-scary reality we are now living in. Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits, including a membership community, a virtual sangha, and a subscription to my Everyday Buddhism Substack: https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism Check out my Substack for ongoing chapter releases of my new serial book, Living Life As It Is and the weekly podcast, Words From My Teachers : https://wendyshinyohaylett.substack.com/ If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism Support the podcast and show your support through the purchase of Everyday Buddhism merch: https://www.zazzle.com/store/everyday_buddhism NOTE: Free shipping on ALL (unlimited) items (Everyday Buddhism merch or gifts from other stores) if you join Zazzle Plus for $19.95/year: https://www.zazzle.com/zazzleplus

Apr 27

I am delighted to have another conversation with James Crews, a return guest who is joining me for a conversation about his book, Unlocking the Heart: Writing for Mindfulness, Courage, and Self-Compassion. James is the author of the essay collection, Kindness Will Save the World , and editor of several bestselling poetry anthologies, including The Wonder of Small Things (winner of the New England Book Award), Healing the Divide , The Path to Kindness (winner of the Nautilus Books for a Better Life Award), and How to Love the World , which has over 140,000 copies in print. He has been featured on NPR's Morning Edition , and in People Magazine , The Boston Globe , The New York Times Magazine , The Sun Magazine , and The Washington Post . He is the author of five prize-winning books of poetry, including Unlocking the Heart, and his poems have appeared in Ploughshares, The New Republic , and other journals. James lives with his husband in the woods of Southern Vermont. At the end of September, James surprised me with the gift of his book, Unlocking the Heart and what a gift it was! I'll talk more about it in our conversation, but the book really did help unlock my heart. During February and a time of reflection on my transformative experience after falling and time in the hospital in December, I worked with the book, reflecting on the poems and James' thoughts about them, and using the writing prompts to journal. Being opened to vulnerability and held by the poems in the book was a special gift. As you will no doubt hear, James is a gentle soul whose conversation about poetry, spirituality, and life is healing. Both the words he uses and the tender way he speaks them is a balm for our painful and anxious times. Among other things, we talked about: How we are all poets … And, as James said, "We are all going around having moments and those moments are asking for expression. Our materially focused culture has caused us to be separated from spiritual practice and poetry can help us build a practice if we keep showing up. Writing poetry is about noticing and giving space to what you're noticing. Reading poetry trains you in the practice of noticing. Take some time to ease into this episode. I promise you will be soothed and come away craving more poetry in your life…. Learn more about James & to sign up for free weekly poems & writing prompts, visit: https://www.jamescrews.net/ . Buy his books, including, Unlocking the Heart: Writing for Mindfulness, Courage, and Self-Compassion. All books: Amazon Author page Unlocking the Heart: Unlocking the Heart Substack / Podcast: https://substack.com/@jamescrews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james.crews.poet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crewspoet Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits, including a membership community, a virtual sangha, and a subscription to my Everyday Buddhism Substack: https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism Check out my Substack for ongoing chapter releases of my new serial book, Living Life As It Is and the weekly podcast, Words From My Teachers : https://wendyshinyohaylett.substack.com/ If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism Support the podcast and show your support through the purchase of Everyday Buddhism merch: https://www.zazzle.com/store/everyday_buddhism NOTE: Free shipping on ALL (unlimited) items (Everyday Buddhism merch or gifts from other stores) if you join Zazzle Plus for $19.95/year: https://www.zazzle.com/zazzleplus

Feb 13

This is a special episode announcing the release of my new book, as a Substack serial book: Living Life As It Is: An Honest Narrative of My Challenges Practicing Right View I started writing my second book in 2020. But along came the Covid-19 pandemic and so much after that. So here I am still writing what was to be my second book, focused on Right View. The stumbling block in getting it done was things in life kept changing faster and faster, and I had no idea whether I had any sense of Right View anymore or if I was helplessly lost in delusion. But I recently had an idea that would help me focus and share my writing in the midst of life and all its confusion and delusion—in the middle of life as it is. The idea is this: Why not write this long-hoped-for second book in real time? Why not write for my Substack audience, releasing essays/chapters as I go so that you, kind subscribers, can read as I write—and comment too. And that is what I've done. I published the first chapter on February 7, 2025 and plan to release a new essay/chapter every Friday. I thought I'd share that first chapter as a podcast episode and here it is ... Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits, including a membership community, a virtual sangha, and a subscription to my Everyday Buddhism Substack: https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism Check out my Substack and subscribe to receive a weekly release of a new chapter of my second book, Living Life As It Is , and the weekly podcast, Words From My Teachers : https://wendyshinyohaylett.substack.com/ If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism Support the podcast and show your support through the purchase of Everyday Buddhism merch: https://www.zazzle.com/store/everyday_buddhism NOTE: Free shipping on ALL (unlimited) items (Everyday Buddhism merch or gifts from other stores) if you join Zazzle Plus for $19.95/year: https://www.zazzle.com/zazzleplus

Jan 15

In this episode I talk with Nate Klemp, PhD. Nate is a bestselling author and formally trained philosopher. He is the author of the new book OPEN: Living With an Expansive Mind in a Distracted World . Nate is also the coauthor of the New York Times Editors' Choice, The 80/80 Marriage: A New Model for a Happier, Stronger Marriage , and the New York Times Bestseller, Start Here: Master the Lifelong Habit of Wellbeing . He has been featured in The LA Times , The New York Times , The Times London , and has appeared on Good Morning America and "Talks" at Google. Nate co-founded the mindfulness training company Life Cross Training and holds a B.A. and M.A. in philosophy from Stanford University and a PhD from Princeton University. I cannot think of a better guest to have on the podcast during these uncertain, catastrophic times. His new book, OPEN: Living With an Expansive Mind in a Distracted World is an important antidote to the ongoing trauma and division of the times. He offers the remedy of opening our minds and hearts despite our instinct to close them. Stay tuned as we talk about: How we're living in a time of closure: closing in through our screens and closing to each other. "Annihilating the power of the smart phone." The practice of skillful closing when things get too intense. How our mindset is contagious and how it reinforces our environment of closure. How we talk to each other about politics in either "strategic mode" where we're trying to 'win' or "communication" mode where we're trying to understand. Non-drug psychedelic experience and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Mindfulness, meditation, and the practice of open-awareness (like Dzogchen) meditation. And more! I'm sure you'll enjoy the conversation with Nate as much as I did. He is wise, funny, and a delightful conversation partner! Learn more about Nate: https://www.nateklemp.com Buy the book, Open: Open - Amazon affiliate link Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nate_klemp/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpncjN_woj6Xrth0i-bGp7w Nate Klemp, Ph.D. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-klemp-phd-6901b72b x/Twitter: https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fnateklemp Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits, including a membership community, a virtual sangha, and a subscription to my Everyday Buddhism Substack: https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism Check out my Substack and weekly podcast, Words From My Teachers : https://wendyshinyohaylett.substack.com/ If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism Support the podcast and show your support through the purchase of Everyday Buddhism merch: https://www.zazzle.com/store/everyday_buddhism NOTE: Free shipping on ALL (unlimited) items (Everyday Buddhism merch or gifts from other stores) if you join Zazzle Plus for $19.95/year: https://www.zazzle.com/zazzleplus