In this episode, Kadam Adam is with Buddhist nun Gen Demo for a thought-provoking discussion on the true nature of compassion. Together, they explore how genuine compassion isn’t about feeling sorry for ourselves or others, but rather a mindset that protects and uplifts us, helping us to navigate life with clarity and kindness. They look at the idea that compassion, when understood correctly, empowers rather than burdens us, bringing emotional resilience and peace. Throughout the conversation, Gen Demo shares insightful stories from everyday life that beautifully illustrate how compassion can be a transformative force in our relationships and daily happiness. Book reference The New Eight steps to Happiness by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso https://kadampa.org/book/eight-steps-to-happiness00:00 Introduction & Misconceptions of CompassionExploring common misunderstandings about compassion leading to overwhelm or depression.02:13 Compassion as Transformative PowerBuddhist perspective on compassion: A wish for freedom from suffering.02:48 A Mother’s Compassionate CareStory of a mother caring for her quadriplegic son.06:00 Compassion in Healthcare: The ICU NurseNurse’s response to a stressed visitor.10:26 ER Story: Collective Compassion in CrisisChild’s tragic arrival in the ER and its impact on staff and patients.14:49 Healing Power of CompassionReflection on how compassion reduces physical and emotional pain.18:53 Compassion in Daily LifeStory of a Nun's realization about suffering’s impermanence.19:28 Small Acts, Big ImpactHow compassionate thinking transforms interactions.Gen Demo is the Resident Teacher in International Kadampa Retreat Center Grand Canyon https://meditationinnorthernarizona.org/The participants of these podcasts are practicing meditation according to the New Kadampa Tradition, which has over a thousand meditation centers worldwide. See more https://kadampa.org/WANT MORE?Find a meditation center near you https://kadampa.org/nkt-center-search...Listen to teaching clips: / nktikbu https://open.spotify.com/show/5QPCFEy... Subscribe to get notifications of new videos.Follow the Modern Buddhism PodcastFacebook: / modernbuddhismpodcast Instagram: / modernbuddhismpodcast TIkTok: / modernbuddhismpodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7lgQNhb... Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/5... #modernbuddhismpodcast #buddhism #compassion #compassionfatigue #compassionmeditation #optimism #fearless #overcomingsuffering #suffering #InnerStrength #PositiveMindset

In this episode, we hear the inspiring journey of Gen Lingpur, a Buddhist nun whose life took an unexpected turn after a routine medical check-up. For years, she thrived in her career and enjoyed a fulfilling life. But everything changed when she was diagnosed with cancer. Faced with fear and uncertainty, she began searching for deeper answers to make sense of her situation.It was during this time of searching that Gen Lingpur discovered Kadampa Buddhism. The teachings offered the wisdom she had been looking for—giving her a profound understanding of suffering, impermanence, and the true nature of life. As she began to embrace these teachings, she found a peace that helped her face her diagnosis with newfound peace and clarity.Over time, her journey of healing became more than just about surviving illness—it led her to find a deeper meaning, happiness and joy in life.00:00 - Introduction & Setting the ContextWelcome and introduction to Gen Lingpur's story of hope and inspiration through adversity.00:10 - Career Success & Leukemia DiagnosisGen Lingpur reflects on her career peak and the life-changing diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia in 1993.02:18 - Emotional Impact & Existential QuestionsContemplating mortality, materialism, and the search for life’s meaning after the diagnosis.03:59 - Discovering Buddhism & "Joyful Path of Good Fortune"The pivotal moment of finding Buddhist teachings and the book that transformed her perspective.06:54 - Journey with Buddhism & Helping OthersTransition to altruistic living, teaching at a Buddhist center, and supporting those facing death.08:08 - Confronting Mortality & Sustaining Death AwarenessHow death awareness reshaped priorities and brought lasting inner peace.11:17 - Compassion & Altruistic LivingInsights on universal suffering, cherishing others, and the rewards of selfless action.13:35 - Key Life Lessons & Internal TransformationThe importance of cultivating inner happiness and reducing negative mental habits.16:01 - Advice for Hopelessness & Facing DeathGen Ling-po’s guidance for finding meaning and transforming fear into purposeful living.23:55 - Closing Remarks & GratitudeFinal reflections and appreciation for the conversation’s impact.Book reference: Joyful Path of Good Fortune https://kadampa.org/book/joyful-path-of-good-fortuneThe participants of these podcasts are practicing meditation according to the New Kadampa Tradition, which has over a thousand meditation centers worldwide. See more https://kadampa.org/Gen Lingpur teaches at Kadampa Meditation Center Arizona https://www.meditationintucson.org/WANT MORE?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U5J8JlJq2YFind a meditation center near you https://kadampa.org/nkt-center-search/?lang=enListen to teaching clips: youtube.com/nktikbu https://open.spotify.com/show/5QPCFEyZz74nOHZbQr1B4z Follow the Modern Buddhism PodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/modernbuddhismpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernbuddhismpodcast/ TIkTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@modernbuddhismpodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7lgQNhbjMGoHOxBnjkfmK4 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/519b6d69-b6ed-46b2-ab56-ebaf59adf96e/the-modern-buddhism-podcast #modermbuddhismpodcast #buddhism #podcast #myjourney #SelfGrowth #meaningoflife #InnerPeace #MentalHealth #Wellness #Happiness #Love #PowerOfMeditation #BetterConnections #meditation #ClarityAndFocus #MeditationForHappiness #StressFreeLife #transformyourmindset #newkadampatradition #kadampabuddhismSubscribe to get notifications of new videos.

Entrepreneur, Author, and Meditation Practitioner Len Foley shares invaluable insights into how to succeed in work and relationships using meditation as a powerful tool.

An Abridged version of this conversation is available in video format on Youtube

In this episode, host Agnes sits down with Kelsang Sama, a Buddhist nun, to delve into the deeper concepts of freedom and personal transformation. Together, they explore the difference between cutting ties with the external world and cultivating true inner freedom. While society often emphasizes the importance of shedding external constraints—such as material possessions, relationships, or status—Kelsang Sama emphasizes that genuine freedom lies in mastering one’s inner world and breaking free from self-imposed mental limitations. Her story is one of self-discovery, where the external world’s expectations were set aside in favor of exploring deeper, more authentic truths about herself and the nature of existence.

https://open.spotify.com/show/5QPCFEyZz74nOHZbQr1B4z

In this episode, we sit down with Gen Thekchen, a Buddhist monk who was invited to teach meditation to prisoners in Canada. He shares his remarkable journey of teaching controlling the mind behind bars, revealing how the inmates’ surprising resilience and unwavering determination to master their minds in such a tough environment inspired him. Tune in as Gen Thekchen reflects on the profound lessons he learned from the very people society often overlooks.

Gen Gomlam returns to the podcast for a very personal and deeply moving conversation about how to heal and find peace after a loved one takes their life. So many emotions of guilt, anger, shame are addressed as well as a profound exploration of the causes of suicidal ideation. Although it’s an uncomfortable subject, it is a very important one. We hope by talking openly about it we can offer comfort and wisdom to those who might be grieving in a similar way, and help remove any stigma or shame around a sorrow that is unfortunately all too common in our modern times.

***

If you have been affected by the issues raised in this episode, please know there are many confidential helplines and avenues of support available to you, for example:

In the United States:

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

suicidepreventionlifeline.org

This is available 24/7 to anyone in crisis, feeling suicidal or in emotional distress. You can speak to them online or over the phone by calling 1-800-273-8255.

In the United Kingdom:

The Samaritans

samaritans.org

Samaritans is a unique charity dedicated to those in crisis and experiencing feelings of isolation and disconnection that can lead to suicide. They offer support via phone (116-123) or via email on [email protected]

In Australia:

Lifeline

lifeline.org.au

Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Call the crisis support hotline at 13-11-14

Confidential text support: 0477-13-11-14

Online chat: available here

In Canada:

Crisis Services Canada

crisisservicescanada.ca

CSC provide suicide prevention services and further support to people in Canada. Call toll free for crisis support at 1-833-456-4566.

Text support: 45645

In New Zealand:

Lifeline Aotearoa

lifeline.org.nz

Their Suicide Crisis Helpline is: 0800-543-354. Their calls are answered by qualified counsellors and trained volunteers. You can also text HELP to 4357.

Worldwide:

Befrienders

befrienders.org

This service is available globally and they can search for helplines for countries that are not listed above.

***

Book references:

Joyful Path of Good Fortune: https://kadampa.org/book/joyful-path-of-good-fortune 

Living Meaningfully Dying Joyfully: https://kadampa.org/book/living-meaningfully-dying-joyfully 

Gen Gomlam is the Resident Teacher in Kadampa Meditation Center Florida https://meditationinsarasota.org/. 

The participants of these podcasts are practicing meditation according to the New Kadampa Tradition, which has over a thousand meditation centers worldwide. 

See more https://kadampa.org/ 

WANT MORE? 

Find a meditation center near you https://kadampa.org/nkt-center-search/?lang=en 

Listen to teaching clips: 

youtube.com/nktikbu 

https://open.spotify.com/show/5QPCFEyZz74nOHZbQr1B4z

Follow the Modern Buddhism Podcast Socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modernbuddhismpodcast 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernbuddhismpodcast/ 

TIkTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@modernbuddhismpodcast 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7lgQNhbjMGoHOxBnjkfmK4 

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/519b6d69-b6ed-46b2-ab56-ebaf59adf96e/the-modern-buddhism-podcast 

#modermbuddhismpodcast #buddhism #healing #suicide #grief #suicidal #meditation #buddhistnun #nun 

In this special episode, guest host Buddhist monk Gen Kelsang Rabten is in conversation with astrophysicist and lay Buddhist teacher Kadam Peter Kurczynski.

Their wide ranging discussion touches on the common points between science and spirituality - for example, how discoveries in quantum physics correlate to profound Buddhist teachings on the nature of reality - but also how meditation can open us to experiences completely beyond the reach of the physical sciences.

Kadam Peter has an extensive background in science as a post doctorate student, researcher and university teacher and currently works as the chief scientific officer for NASA’s cosmic origins program. 

In parallel to this life in science he has trained in meditation for 30 years and taught Buddhism extensively. He currently teaches classes for Kadampa Meditation Centre Washington DC.

Kadampa Meditation Centre Washington DC's website is: https://meditation-dc.org/

You can watch videos of Peter explaining light from the first stars and the stars within us in these youtube videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU6KXoO0NEE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFULDp3QHVQ&t=26s

And giving a dharma talk here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXyWeiocwdI 

Gen Rabten has been a Buddhist monk under Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche’s guidance since 1994, and currently serves as the National Spiritual Director of the NKT-IKBU for Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.

During the conversation Gen Rabten reads excerpts from Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s texts: New Eight Steps to Happiness and Joyful Path of Good Fortune.

These books can be purchased from Tharpa Publications by following these links:

https://tharpa.com/the-new-eight-steps-to-happiness

https://tharpa.com/joyful-path-of-good-fortune

The participants of these podcasts are practicing meditation according to the New Kadampa Tradition, which has over a thousand meditation centers worldwide.

See more https://kadampa.org/ 

Find a meditation center near you https://kadampa.org/nkt-center-search/?lang=en 

Listen to teaching clips: youtube.com/nktikbu https://open.spotify.com/show/5QPCFEyZz74nOHZbQr1B4z 

Follow the Modern Buddhism Podcast Socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modernbuddhismpodcast 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernbuddhismpodcast/ 

TIkTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@modernbuddhismpodcast 

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@modernbuddhismpodcast

#modermbuddhismpodcast #buddhism #podcast #science #QuantumPhysics #Spirituality #Reality #Meditation #Astrophysics #BuddhistMonk 

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individual and do not reflect the views of NASA or the US federal government.

Happy New Year Everyone! While we continue our break from our usual conversation episodes, please enjoy Kadam Adam briefly explaining and then guiding a meditation on how our life is precious, rare and meaningful. This beautiful contemplation energizes us and inspires us to seize the very essence of each day - an excellent way to start the new year. Full epsiodes resume next week.

While we take a brief break over the festive season, please enjoy this bonus episode: a beautiful guided meditation on love and kindness called equalizing self with others.

Full conversation episodes will resume in mid January, but check in again next week for another guided meditation.

We live in a world that constantly tells us we need to do more, be more, and achieve more. We set insanely high standards for ourselves, pushing to be successful in every area of life—yet, even when we reach those goals, we're left feeling like it’s still not enough. The truth is, we’re never truly satisfied. We’re always chasing the next milestone, believing we have to be better to be happy. But this constant pressure, this endless pursuit of perfection, is rooted in a disproportionate sense of self-importance. It’s a mindset that makes true fulfillment nearly impossible. In today’s episode, we dive into the power of accepting failure and embracing success—how both can be stepping stones for growth, learning, and ultimately, happiness. Join us as we explore how to let go of the pressure, enjoy the wins, and learn from the setbacks, creating a more balanced and fulfilling life.