In this podcast episode, Dr. Jim Doty interviews Lara Love Hardin, author of "The Many Lives of Mama Love," about her memoir and her journey from a troubled childhood to becoming the CEO of her own literary agency. They discuss topics such as addiction, identity theft, suicide, and redemption. Lara shares her experiences of self-compassion, public humiliation, and her time in jail. She also discusses the challenges faced by women in the criminal justice system and the nonprofit organization she co-founded to provide support for women in custody. The conversation also touches on Lara's journey into stand-up comedy and her involvement in the pet cemetery business.

In this episode of “Into The Magic Shop,” Dr. James Doty and psychologist, professor and author, Shauna Shapiro, explore the relationship between mindfulness and compassion, emphasizing the importance of intention, attention, and attitude in mindfulness practice. The conversation touches on how mindfulness creates a space to pause and choose a response that opens to right intention and compassion. They also mention the danger of mindfulness being used solely for personal gain. Dr. Doty and Shapiro discuss the impact of shame and negative self-talk, the potential role of psychedelics in creating an environment of unconditional love, acceptance and self-exploration, as well as the importance of community; and the power of words and perception. They conclude by saying how difficult circumstances such as poverty, disruptive environments, and unfairness can hinder mindfulness and compassion. But through acceptance one can lead to effective responses and change.

In a recent episode of the "Into the Magic Shop" podcast, Dr. Jim Doty and Dacher Keltner, author of "Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life," "The Power Paradox," and most recently, "Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life," discuss the significance of compassion and self-transcendence in society, particularly in affluent areas where the philosophy of altruism is often rejected. Keltner discusses how his studies on economic inequality, power abuses, and structural issues show how they can divide and blind us to our common humanity. Keltner and Dr. Doty discuss how meaning comes from being involved with things that are bigger than yourself. Keltner emphasizes how contemplative traditions are crucial for bringing about greater good at the societal level. He also critiques author Ayn Rand's philosophy of rejecting altruism, which tends to thrive in wealthy areas. Dr. Doty adds that compassion is what will ultimately save humanity and that persuading even a few individuals to promote it worldwide can be incredibly influential. They both agree that even a single act of compassion can create a tsunami of positive change. Tune in to the "Into the Magic Shop" podcast on popular podcast platforms or on the show's website to discover more about the transformative power of compassion and self-transcendent states.

In this episode of the “Into the Magic Shop” Dr. Jim Doty interviews Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison, a Zen teacher and author, about his journey towards healing and self-discovery. Sensei Ellison shares his experiences with bullying and struggling with his sexuality, and how the teachings of Sensei White helped him find solace in stillness. Dr. Doty and Ellison discuss the importance of finding a practice that supports self-love and coming back to one's values, as well as the need to examine oneself and seek help when necessary.

Ultimately, the path to liberation is a long and tortuous one, but staying on it can lead to self-discovery and self-love. What matters is the practice of deep patience, steadfastness, humility, and the importance of companionship on the path towards healing. For more on Koshin Paley Ellison's work see: Contemplative Medicine Fellowship (https://zencare.org/contemplative-medicine-fellowship/); Foundations In Contemplative Care (https://zencare.org/foundations/); his latest book: Untangled: Walking the Eightfold Path to Clarity, Courage, and Compassion (https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/koshin-paley-ellison/untangled/9781538708323/?lens=balance).

In this episode of “Into The Magic Shop” host Jim Doty speaks with David Aaker, Professor Emeritus at the University of California at Berkeley’s Haas school of business where Aaker is a specialist in marketing with a focus on brand strategy. Dr. Doty and Aaker, who has won numerous awards in the science of marketing and was inducted into the American Marketing Association’s Hall of Fame in 2015, discuss the intersection of brand awareness, brand loyalty and compassion.

Aaker emphasizes the need for authenticity and passion behind a company's social programs to avoid accusations of tokenism or self-serving behavior. He also gives examples of successful social purpose campaigns, such as Dove's "Real Beauty" campaign, which had a significant impact on women's self-esteem and confidence while also increasing Dove's business.

Aaker argues that creating signature programs is the most effective use of resources and can have a significant impact on a company's success. He suggests expanding successful programs and creating a long-term plan to leverage and scale them. The conversation ends with a discussion on the power of purpose-driven branding and its potential to have a positive impact on society.

In this podcast episode, host Jim Doty and Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson discuss the influence of corporate entities on politics and the need for policies that prioritize the safety, health, and wellbeing of the American people. They touch on the issue of brainwashing and the need for people to understand the policies being propagated against them by the political parties they support. Williamson proposes an economic bill of rights that includes policies such as a living wage, education, and healthcare. They also discuss the need for a president who has the courage to stand up to corporate interests and prioritize the well-being of the American people.

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (Tay to his students) was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk who spent his life promoting compassion, kindness to others, and being a tireless advocate for human rights, nonviolence, and peace. 

In Part Two of Tay’s episode on Into The Magic Shop, he continues the conversation around suffering and compassion, because says Tay, where there is no suffering, there is no happiness either. 

“We don't want to send our children to a place where there is no suffering. Because in such a place, you have no chance to learn to be understanding and compassionate. It is by touching suffering, understanding suffering, that you can generate love and compassion.”

And to truly understand compassion, says Tay, you have to truly understand love in terms of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. 

“We cannot do the healing of the world unless we have enough of that energy, understanding, and compassion. Because really, our society needs that kind of energy.”

To learn more about transforming suffering into compassion, download and listen to this episode. 

On today’s podcast:

Links:

• The Plum Village Tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh (Tay to his students) was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and one of the best-known and respected Zen masters. A peace activist, prolific author, poet, teacher, and founder of Plum Village, Tay is recognized as the main inspiration for “engaged Buddhism”, and is considered by many to be the father of mindfulness. 

Buddhist monks learned hundreds and hundreds of years ago, (and scientists are only now catching up to) that when we're compassionate, not only does it improve the lives of others, but it's a great benefit to us too. When individuals are compassionate, and this is backed up by science, it's when our physiology works best.

But, says Tay, people are afraid of being compassionate towards others in case they are overwhelmed by another’s suffering. Meaning we have to learn how to handle our own suffering first before we can help others with theirs. 

In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, Tay explains why we don’t need to spend thousands of hours meditating to be mindful, why we can practice mindfulness through simple daily tasks, and why when you become more compassionate to yourself, and learn to love yourself, you become capable of loving and taking care of other people. 

“If we understand our own suffering, then it will be much easier for us to understand the suffering of another person, and that is why the meditation on compassion, on suffering should begin with yourself.”

On today’s podcast:

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Having made the decision to become a Buddhist Monk at just 10 years old, the venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi, the president and CEO of the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has dedicated his life to promoting empathy and conflict resolution, and is involved in the ongoing dialogue between Buddhism, meditation, and neuroscience.

“One of the things I've found is that if you have to tell me [that you’re on the path to spiritual enlightenment], then you're not on the path, because your actions are the manifestation of being on the path.”

In this episode of Into the Magic Shop, Tenzin discusses the role we all play as teachers in one another's life, the three forms of generosity promoted in Buddhism, why we need to learn to step out of fear so that we can make better choices and better decisions, and the contrast between solitude and loneliness. 

“Solitude is a choice. It's a willful choice. Loneliness is generally an imposition. It comes from certain kinds of feeling of alienation or experiences of alienation.”

To learn more about Tenzin’s work at the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values, download and listen to this episode. 

On today’s podcast:

When he was just 10 years old, Tenzin Priyadarshi made a non-rational decision to become a Buddhist monk. He ran away from school and took a two-day train journey to one of the most sacred sites in the Buddhist tradition. 

“I arrived at this temple and I knocked on the door, and this wonderful monk opened the door. And without even me saying hello, he said, oh good, you're here, we were expecting you.”

Today, the venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi is an innovative thinker, philosopher, educator, and polymath monk. He’s also the president and CEO of the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

But it hasn’t been a smooth journey from that initial foray into Buddhism to his current position. Having finally persuaded his parents to let him follow this spiritual path, he then spent 18 years convincing them to meet the Dalai Lama. 

“He has cultivated this compassionate presence that he doesn't even need to say anything. He just sits there, and you're basking in that presence, and it simply inspires you to become a better version of yourself.”

In this episode of Into the Magic Shop, Tenzin discusses what he learned from spending time with Mother Teresa and Guru Rinpoche, the distinction between rebirth and reincarnation, and how to cultivate a spiritual presence.

This is an enlightening episode in more ways than one, download and listen today. 

On today’s podcast: