Buddhist Boot Camp Podcast

Talking yourself off the ledge by knowing your way home. If you find value in these commercial-free podcast episodes, my online posts, monthly emails, and discussion circles, then head over to Read more

Is desire the root of suffering as Buddhism suggests? The answer is tricky because it depends on whether you desire the journey or the destination; only one of those is available to you right now. So is desire really the root of suffering or, perhaps better stated, is happiness the absence of desire? Have a listen, think about it, and decide for yourself. This is just food for thought and if you find value in these commercial-fr... Read more

Instead of changing who we are depending on outside circumstances, let's commit to being a certain way no-matter-what. Your response in any situation would be consistent with who you are rather than dependent on the whim of those around you. We don't so much "discover ourselves," we create who we are, so choose wisely.

This might just be the way for us to avoid judgment, segregation, and discrimination by making everyone instantly more relatable. If you find value in the ad-free Buddhist Boot Camp Podcast, Facebook page, public events, books, and programs, please consider showing your support with just $1 a month through https://patreon.com/BuddhistBootCamp Thank you for being ... Read more

I don't meditate to control my thoughts, I meditate so my thoughts don't control me. Visit https://BuddhistBootCamp.com for more information, and if you find value in these commercial-free Podcast episodes, please show your support with just $1/month through https://Patreon.com/BuddhistBootCamp Th... Read more

Are we robbing ourselves of contentment by chasing happiness? 

We must stop undermining our ability to be generous by overlooking the fact that generosity doesn’t have to be monetary.

The lifetime we are given (the good times, the terrible, and all the time in between), is a gift from a mysterious stranger. And the natural response to receiving a gift is gratitude, not a sense of entitlement. For more information about Timber Hawkeye, his books, TED Talk, and Books-to-Prisons project, please visit https://www.BuddhistBootCamp.com and consider show... Read more

Why do you do what you do? What are you trying to accomplish? Are your actions fueled by the ego? I ask myself these questions all the time to make sure I don't get into the habit of letting my ego run the show. What motivates YOUR actions?

If you find value in this Podcast episode or my online posts, monthly emails, the books, or local events, please show your support with just $1 a month through Read more

Would your life choices be different if you were to set a single intention to motivate all of your actions? What's your intention? 

Every experience triggers an emotion in us and we then make judgments, decisions, and act out of that emotion, unreliable and variable as it may be. Could the labels that offered us comfort and clarity at one time in our lives later cause our segregation and discomfort? The question to ask yourself is if your narrative is working for you or against you. If you find value in these commercial-free Podcast episodes or my online pos... Read more

Distinguish between healthy and unhealthy guilt. As my brother says, "Most of what weighs you down isn't even yours to carry." If you find value in these Podcast episodes, please show your support with just $1 a month through Read more

According to NVC (Non-Violent Communication), Unsolicited Advice is a form of violence; it's a way to bully someone by telling them what you think they "should" or "shouldn't" do. It can be very invasive when unwelcomed, so let's be mindful of what to do when we receive it, how to stop giving it, and the gift inherent in waiting for someone to ask for help rather than freely giving it. If you find val... Read more

Life is going to throw some curve balls your way, take you up steep terrain, and surprise you with unexpected twists and turns. Are you ready to face it all like a champion so no challenge is overwhelming, or does everything in your life feel insurmountable? I say intentionally go without the very things you fear losing so you're prepared, trained, and ready! Keep your power instead of giving it away to fear.

Release your tight grip on things like identity wrapped in a job title or financial status, your car, home, or marital status. Keep stretching and expanding a flexible outlook as it ripples outward to encompass everything in the Universe. Turn to vapor, ice, liquid, and back again, without getting attached to any of it.

Do you have a close circle of friends who help you grow and evolve, or do you have an echo chamber in which everyone you know keeps you confined in a loop of destructive behavior, stunting your growth instead of promoting it?

Can you look at the world with a fresh, unbiased mind, and trust your own discernment instead of looking for someone whom you deem "credible" to validate it for you? 

If your image (how people perceive you) is more important to you than your own values, you'd allow people to cross some boundaries (or not even set them in the first place), all to protect your image. Your actions convey your priorities, so where does your image rank compared to your core values?

In response to the Buddhist invitation to "Do No Harm," which I think is impossible, I prefer contemplating "Doing LESS Harm," which triggers awareness of our decisions' ripple effects on ourselves and the world around us until we find ways to minimize (not eliminate) the harm we cause when we eat, drink, read, watch, etc.