The Modern Buddhism Podcast

Buddhist teacher Kadam Morten Clausen talks with Agnes about his 30 years of living and teaching in the Big Apple: the challenges of modern city life and what they've taught him, and his experience of decades of practising meditation and mindfulness in New York City.

Morten is the National Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition for the Eastern United States and regularly teaches all around the world; he is the resident ...

In this episode, Adam is joined by Marlise Anthonioz, who discusses openly how her meditation practice has taken her from a place of depression and hopelessness to a joyful optimism, enabling her to live a full and happy life. She discusses how family life was causing her to feel unhappy and unfulfilled and how her Buddhist meditation practice transformed her experience. A desire to understand the deeper meaning of life led her to ...

Kadam Morten Clausen talks about how our limited or negative view of ourself is the basis for low self esteem. Then how we can change our view of what the self is and through this develop a new way of identifying ourself that gives authentic higher self esteem and we can learn to be happy with ourself.

In today’s podcast, Kadam Morten talks about a very important topic—the way we view ourselves and how this view shapes our self-...

Our thoughts don't define our reality, yet we often buy into negative beliefs about ourselves, leading to a distorted self-image. In this podcast, Gen Jigme explores how meditation can help us quiet the negative inner voice and cultivate a more positive understanding of ourselves. While we acknowledge our flaws, we also recognize our growth and appreciate the goodness within us. He guides us through various ways of thinking that ca...

Gen Kelsang Rabten joins Adam on the podcast for a wide ranging discussion of the various stages of meditation from the very first steps to how to reach the highest levels. Insights are shared and explored that will help us access our inner strength and stillness; show us how we can use meditation to diffuse negative thought patterns in our mind and replace them with healthy positive alternatives; and the special techniques advance...

In this illuminating episode, Buddhist Meditation Teacher Kadam Rebecca challenges conventional wisdom about work-life balance. Rather than focusing on time management, she reveals how true equilibrium stems from our inner state of mind. Alongside fellow Teacher and host Kadam Adam, they explores how everyday challenges—especially difficult people—can become powerful catalysts for spiritual and personal transformation. They also di...

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, bringi...

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 disc...

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 0:00 - Introduction Host welcomes Len and introduces the topic of success, meditation, and balancing a busy life. 0:13 - Len's Background Len shares his journey as a business own...

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 genuin...

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 s...

Gen Gomlam returns to the podcast for a deeply personal and moving conversation about how to heal and find peace after personal tragedy, addressing the feelings of grief, guilt, anger and shame that often arise in the aftermath and how to work through them and find healing.

** Trigger warning: this episode includes discussion of suicide and suicidal ideation. Your discretion is advised. **

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Book references:

How to Sol...

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...

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 endles...

In this episode, guest host Agnes Bednarczyk is joined by Buddhist monk Gen Doryning to explore the deep sense of searching many young people feel in today's world. Surrounded by uncertainty and overwhelmed by modern challenges, many struggle to find meaning and direction through traditional paths. When asked where one can look for purpose, Gen Doryning offers gentle yet powerful guidance, suggesting simple, transformative changes ...

Meditation is a popular method to achieve a calm, peaceful state of mind. In this podcast, International meditation teacher, Kadam Morten Clausen, explains how meditation is so much more than just breathing meditation and how you can begin to find answers to the big questions in your life. He explains how Buddha taught meditation as a way to achieve your true potential and life purpose. He explains how to use meditation to increase...

In this Podcast Gen Demo, a Buddhist nun who is dealing with the chronic disease of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), explains how she is learning to let go of worry and accept her illness. Worrying makes everything worse and has a big effect on health. Gen Demo emphasizes how debilitating worry is in her life and how important it is to relax into the uncertainty of her condition and the uncertainty of the future. Worrying makes everything ...