The Daily Dharma (Daily Dharma Podcast)

Being mindful of what influences us is an important part of our spiritual journey. All of us are influenced by what we see, hear and interact with. As a result, we can use influences as well as positive habits as a tool to help us move in the right direction.

What is kindfulness? We explore why mindfulness is not enough and why we need to mix in kindness to create kindfulness.

In this episode, we talk about how we can find a personal process to let go of our negative memories, emotions and thoughts. We also discuss why it's important to grow aware of all the expectations placed on us and learn to let go of them on a regular basis, to feel more calm, energized and happy in our lives.

Where can we find daily joy? Is joy even something we can truly access every day? In this episode, we talk about where we can find joy and how to identify mechanisms to unlock joy within our lives.

In this episode, we talk about how overwhelming tragedy can be and how to approach it in a way that will lead to greater wisdom and compassion.

What is happiness and how do we achieve it? In this episode, we take inspiration from a passage in the Dhammapada to help define the process by which we can generate happiness.

Blaming is so ingrained in our culture, it feels natural to do so. But what does blame really accomplish? Whether it's towards yourself or others, blame is an action that festers negativity. In this episode, we talk about why blame is so easy to fall into and how to move away from this way of thinking.

What is right speech? As a facet of the Eight-Fold Path, it sometimes comes across as daunting and difficult to follow. In this episode, we dissect what right speech really means and how we can use words as a tool to create joy and preserve peace for ourselves and others.

Difficult people are everywhere. Here's a quick three step approach to help deal with them compassionately, accompanied by a great story from Ajahn Brahm.

What's standing in the way of our view, spiritually? In this episode, we navigate the myriad of reasons why our view of life can be crowded and how to unclutter it so we can feel happier.

In this episode, we talk about Right Thought, a facet of the Noble Eight-Fold Path, and how it guides us towards joy.

What's Right Effort all about? We discuss another rung of the Eight-Fold Path in this episode.

Right understanding is all about grasping the big picture, the spiritual long-game of your life.

Why is stigmatization so harmful and what is the value of creating space in your day to do "nothing"? Listen in and let's explore together.

Everyone has a "should-have" talk track in their minds. In this episode, we explore what they are and how we can slowly, with time and effort, be free of them.

In the wake of the Uvalde shootings, I searched for a Buddhist response to deeply saddening and upsetting tragedy. In this episode, we reflect upon the wisdom in Bikkhuni Ayya Dhammadipa's discussion of this question and why creating connection and compassion in society is the solution. You can also find a link to her video in our Linktree, found in the bio of our Instagram, @the.daily.dharma

When trying to be a good spiritual person, what is the right path forward? In this episode, we talk about the importance of asking yourself big questions and challenging yourself to create the right "recipe" for your own spiritual life.

In this episode, we talk about the deeper belief that leads to burnout in our educational, professional and social spheres and how we can dismantle it in order to experience joy and abundance instead.

How do we generate light, hope and compassion within when we feel the world is falling apart around us? In this episode, we reflect on the Roe vs Wade overruling and how we can do our best to process our complex emotions, cultivate compassion and be the change the communities around us need.

In this episode, we talk about the three spheres of influence (you, your personal network and beyond) and why we always need to start with ourselves when striving to be positive change makers in the world.

In this episode, we hear about a Buddhist folk tale around a little bird who couldn't be burnt in a raging forest fire, and the parallels it offers on how to deal with a world that feels like it's constantly in decline. How do we move forward without being consumed by dread? 

Pain is more than just a sensation we want to avoid - it's a wake-up call, a sign of spiritual awakening. In this episode, we explore passages from Pema Chodron's book, "Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Forgiveness & Compassion" on what is the love that doesn't die and why it's the answer in the face of uncertainty and impermanence.

Is our suffering 100% our own? In this episode, we explore how the blueprint given to us may very well be extending samsara and how we can instead, choose to opt-out, bit by bit.

How do we live in a world full of injustice without burning ourselves out? In this episode, we explore the challenge of needing to take care of ourselves as well as the communities around us and how to approach this situation with compassion towards ourselves.

Eat. Sleep. Repeat. Being focused on our daily lives can make us feel like we're surrounded by a mental haze. We're so tired that all we can do is see three feet in front of us. In this episode, we talk about "Scottish Mists", a story from Ajahn Brahm's book "Don't Worry Be Grumpy" on how we can find a sense of direction when feeling lost in the mist of life.

Do you often feel guilty that you cannot directly help or support those who are suffering? In this episode, we talk about this emotion, what it indicates and why being empathetic towards others can be intrinsically empowering.

In this episode, we reflect on how desire and the pressure to desire things in life can negatively impact us and why it can be a deep relief to replace it with contentment and satisfaction instead.

It can be so difficult to decide how to end different things in our lives. In this episode, we talk about the challenges of this process and how to end things with compassion for ourselves and everyone involved. 

What is the ultimate refuge and how can we get there? In this episode, we talk about the Buddha's words on loving kindness in the Karaniya Metta Sutta and how it discusses the most powerful form of spiritual protection we can achieve.

For many of us, anger is a conditioned response to situations where things don't go to plan. In this episode, we explore how we can better analyze and understand our anger in the moment and release it, peacefully.

The body can often be a source of pain and guilt. In this episode, we talk about how to process past, present and future pain around our bodies and choose healing.

It's not just your body that needs guarding - it's your spirit. In this episode, we talk about the importance of protecting your spirit and how you can do this in your every day life.

In this episode, we take inspiration from our furry friends on how to disconnect from our everyday thoughts and appreciate the beauty of the moment.

In this episode we talk about what the "default" state of the mind is and what we can do to transition into a more meditative and relaxed state.

In this episode, we learn why being born as a human being is so rare and powerful and how we can truly appreciate our circumstances compared to other life forms.

What is the agitated mind and why do we need to be aware of it? In this episode, we talk about the danger of neglecting the agitated mind and how we can redirect it in a positive way.

In this episode, we explore what Enlightenment truly is and how it relates to our every day practice.

In this episode, we talk about how we can be mindful of the different stressors that may arise during this holiday season and how we can proactively face them.

In this episode, we talk about setting new "day" resolutions instead of new years resolutions. In other words - how to focus on doing what can be done instead of achieving milestones that may or may not happen.

The holidays are not a happy time for many. It can often bring up complex thoughts and feelings that are difficult to deal with. In this episode, we talk about how mindfulness can make the holiday blues more manageable and less stressful.

No matter the moment, it will pass. 

Are we changing against ourselves or in alignment with who we are? In this episode, we look at the Buddhist take on New Year's resolutions through a delightful story from Sensei Alex Kakuyo.

In this episode, we talk about the Buddhist Tibetan Prayer and how it can help us come to terms with our death and those of loved ones.

What kind of hunger are you facing today and how can you address it? In this episode, we talk about different types of hunger and why we need to heal it within ourselves to achieve deeper spiritual growth.

In this episode we walk through two Buddhist parables on how the past can be a burden to our present and why it's important to learn to let go.

In this episode, we talk about why judgement is first and foremost, burdensome to ourselves, and how we can practice non-judgement instead.

In life, we are often given multiple roles to play, in both our personal and professional life. But what is the one job that matters the most? Listen in to learn more.

In this episode, we go over a Zen Buddhist story about overfilling a cup of tea. 

In this episode, we talk about how we can go about uncomplicating our lives by reflecting on a Zen Buddhist story by Nyogen Senzaki, called "The First Principle".

In this episode, we read a Zen Buddhist story called "Publishing the Sutras" on the importance of recognizing and following the unexpected teachings of life.

Change is always possible. In this episode, we talk about how compassion shaped the course of someone's life and how we can apply the same principles to our own.

In this episode, we talk about a heartfelt letter where a young woman expresses her distress at having nothing in her life and the Buddhist approach to it.

In this episode, we look at Buddhist stories that explore the two different yet equally important sides of being Zen.

In this episode, we look at two stories that highlight the importance of patiently and carefully assessing the situation before we respond to it.

In this episode, we go through two Zen Buddhist stories that showcase how our perspectives can drastically change and evolve with time.

No matter how masterful we become, life always finds a way to surprise us and teach us something new. In this episode, we unravel two Zen Buddhist stories about being in unfamiliar territory and how to process our discomfort.

Why is silence such an important part of Zen Buddhism? We read two stories that explore the theme of silence and its role in leading a spiritual life.

In this episode, we explore how humility is a beautiful path towards wisdom. Through humility, we can see our truth and, discover a better way to live.

In this light-hearted episode, we usher in a little light into our lives with two humorous Zen stories.

In this episode, we talk about two Zen Buddhist stories that explore the theme of looking deeper, beyond the surface, of a situation or state. 

Like a lantern in the darkness, right understanding, when absorbed and appreciated, can help one find their way.

Can you imagine a version of yourself without the pain? Sometimes, transcending the pain comes from transforming it, within ourselves.

In this episode, we talk about a story of a nun who cooks the meals at her monastery and how making red bean porridge lead to greater spiritual insights on what it means to return to your foundation. 

What does it mean to have a love that spans many lifetimes? We read a Zen story that explores what unconditional love truly is, in this life and the next.

What happens when life hits you hard and you're in a dark hole? That's when it's time to climb upwards. In this episode, we talk about a Dharma story on how and why this happens and what to do about it.

Where will we find our path? In this episode, we talk about how we can experience awakening today, right now, where we are, instead of a distant future in a different place.

In this episode, we talk about how a single thought can change your day, your year and even your whole life and that of those around you.

In this episode, we talk about the difference between personal reality and ultimate reality, and how gaining perspective on ultimate reality can reduce our own personal suffering.

In this episode, we talk about why we should learn to become our own spiritual refuge, no matter where we are.

In this episode, we talk about how performing good deeds comes about by setting compassionate intentions every day and having the right kind of support.

In this episode, we talk about the power of approaching life's difficulties with calm and courageousness.

In this episode, we talk about how preserving the right frame of mind can completely transform how we see every situation and positively re-write the story of our lives.

In this episode, we talk about the path to developing a deeper understanding of life.

In this episode, we talk about what makes our minds heavy and the steps we can take to feel lighter and more free.

Giving can come in many forms. In this episode, we explore how we can give deeper with formless, non-material giving.

In this episode, we talk about learning to observe our minds and realize its nature as an endless gatherer of thoughts, emotions and expectations. 

This episode is about how enlightenment is possible in every circumstance, no matter how dark life may become.

In this episode, we reflect on what it's like to be wrapped up in our drive to survive, instead of the details of our own life.

In this episode, we reflect upon the phrase "let it be" and how we can apply it in our daily lives.

In this episode, we reflect on how we carry our spiritual realizations wherever we go, no matter what.

In this episode, we reflect on the innate discomfort of being human and how we can deconstruct it towards feeling more connected and centered.

In this episode, we explore the dual nature of our lives through a Chinese folktale about a young woman named Senjo.

In this episode, we explore the reoccurring theme of "get on and go" in Buddhist philosophy and our greater lives.

In this episode, we talk about how we can survive tough times by taking the long view on life.

In this episode, we explore how the mind is often an echo chamber for our deepest emotions and thoughts, and how being aware of this can help us stay grounded.

In this episode, we talk about how easy it is to be lost in thought and how we can ground ourselves when this happens.

In this episode, we talk about how we can deal with feelings of intense anger towards the people in our lives and what we can do to resolve conflicts more peacefully.

In this episode, we talk about stubborn interpersonal conflicts - what they really are and what we can do about them.

In this episode, we talk about how we can shift our perspective on our flaws to live deeper, fuller lives.

In this episode, we reflect on how the power of familiarity guides human interaction and how it effects us as people.

In this episode, we talk about the benefits of idleness and why we don't need to be productive 24/7.

In this episode, we talk about how we can't rush time and why it's important to exercise patience to let things proceed at their own pace.

In this episode, we talk about the nature of people and how to honor our own approach to life in the face of other people's anger and disappointment.

In this new year, we reflect on a story that shares insights on the passage of time, and how we are both remain the same but also not the same, throughout the course of our lives.

In this episode, we reflect on why breath is an important aspect of spiritual and meditative practice in Buddhism.

In this episode, we talk about what loneliness really is and how we can begin to heal it.

In this episode, we talk about the value of cultivating inner validation and becoming a compassionate observer of our own lives.

In this episode, we talk about the different feelings and motivations within us and how we need to seek balance in order to live a fulfilling life.

In this episode, we talk about how we can find our place of inner peace amidst the great chaos of life.

In this episode, we talk about how we can discover the true nature of things.