Buddhism, therapy and how people actually change

This week, we speak with psychotherapist Sean Grover about how therapy works, what its limits are, and what it takes to actually change yourself for the better. He also shares insights from his own Buddhist practice and what chanting can offer in the journey of self-transformation. 

Key takeaway: Human beings heal through relationships, so how you show up in relationships matters … a lot. If you want to be really, truly happy, you have to learn to care for yourself well, to be yourself around other people, and also learn to care for other people well. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and having a supportive community can help you do all of the above.

Cheatsheet:

1:14 Episode Intro

2:12 Introduction to Sean

2:36 Why he started practicing Buddhism

6:16 What brings people to therapy

8:14 The difference between temporary and sustainable happiness

11:05 The growth of self-awareness practices

16:15 The limits of therapy and mindfulness

18:23 How Buddhism can tackle the ego

20:27 Why changing yourself is so hard

22:19 What the Bodhisattva vow is, in plain English

25:42 Why mastering human relationships is the key to most problems

26:25 Creating a culture of caring for others

29:43 How not to get drained by giving to others

33:14 How therapy and Buddhism can work together

37:08 Next week’s show