What Would Buddha Do?

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What if clarity never comes? What if you stay stuck, uncertain, and spinning forever? In this season finale, we explore the deep discomfort of not knowing—and how Buddhist teachings invite us to meet uncertainty with compassion rather than panic. Through reflections on groundlessness, faith (śraddhā), and the Middle Way, this episode offers gentle guidance for living in the questions when the answers just won’t arrive.

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You’re collecting a paycheck, but secretly polishing your resume. Is that dishonest—or just practical? In this episode, we explore the ethical tension of job hunting while still employed through a Buddhist lens. We’ll look at the Middle Way between guilt and justification, Right Intention, and the liminal space of bardo—the in-between state where clarity often begins. If you’ve ever wondered how to honor your current commitments while still making space for change, this one’s for you.

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You started with a shared vision—but now the path is splitting. What happens when you and your business partner no longer want the same things? Do you push forward, part ways, or try to realign?

In this episode, we explore the discomfort of diverging goals through a Buddhist lens—drawing on teachings about impermanence, attachment to outcomes, and relational clarity. You’ll hear reflections on:

• How to navigate misalignment without blame
  
  
• Why fixed views create suffering
  
  
• What it means to let go without giving up

If you’re facing hard conversations in your work or creative life, this episode offers insight into moving forward—skillfully and honestly.

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You’ve done the work. You’ve earned the value. So why does asking for a raise feel so uncomfortable? In this episode, we unpack the emotional weight behind money, self-worth, and the fear of seeming “greedy.”

Through the lens of Buddhist teachings on Right Livelihood, generosity (dāna), and the Middle Way, we explore:

• Why money talk triggers shame or scarcity
• How to separate confidence from entitlement
• What it means to ask with clarity and integrity

If you're navigating the awkward dance between humility and self-advocacy, this episode will help you find your footing—with compassion and courage.

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What do you do when someone you care about refuses to take care of themselves? It’s easy to feel helpless, angry, or convinced that love should mean compliance. In this episode, we explore the painful intersection of love and control—what we think it means to care, and what it actually means to let go.

Drawing from Buddhist teachings on compassion, non-attachment, and the illusion of control, we’ll look at:

• The difference between love and responsibility
  
  
• How to sit with fear without trying to fix
  
  
• Why letting go isn’t giving up

If you’ve ever thought, “If they really loved me, they’d change,” this episode offers a gentler, wiser path forward.

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Ever found yourself obsessing over someone you know you can’t have? Whether it’s a fleeting infatuation or a full-blown fantasy, The Crush dives into the sticky sweetness—and suffering—of unrequited desire. In this episode, we explore what Buddhism teaches us about craving, projection, and the stories we tell ourselves when the heart won’t listen to reason.

With insight from the Second Noble Truth and practices from the Salāyatana Sutta and Vitakkasaṇṭhāna Sutta, we’ll uncover:

• Why the mind fixates on the unavailable
• How fantasy can feel more powerful than reality
• What to do when your thoughts keep circling back

If your crush is living rent-free in your mind, this one’s for you.

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I’m tired of always doing the work—of being kind, thoughtful, and forgiving—especially when others don’t seem to care. In this episode, we explore the resentment that can build when you’re the one always trying, and what Buddhist teachings like the Simile of the Saw, the Eight Worldly Winds, and the Dhammapada say about staying true to yourself when the world feels unfair.

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What do we owe our parents when they can no longer care for themselves?

In this episode of What Would Buddha Do?, I explore a deeply personal and often painful question: What are our responsibilities to aging parents, especially when the relationship has been difficult?

Drawing from Buddhist teachings—and reflections from the 17th Karmapa—I share:
 🌿 How Buddhism views the “debt” we owe to our parents
 🌿 The meaning of reciprocal responsibility and compassion
 🌿 How to honor familial duty while setting healthy boundaries

If you're struggling to navigate complex family dynamics with aging parents, this conversation offers ancient wisdom, modern insights, and personal reflections to help you move forward with clarity and peace.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:46 Listener's Dilemma: Caring for an Ailing Parent
02:06 Buddhist Teachings on Parental Debt
05:21 Reciprocal Responsibilities in Buddhism
07:12 Modern Reflections on Parental Relationships
07:45 Personal Insights and Conclusion

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Send us Fan Mail