How I stopped letting my environment control me

How I stopped letting my environment control me

Author: SGI-USA April 19, 2022 Duration: 54:53

Today we’re talking about the impact our environment has on us. In Buddhism, a crucial concept called “the oneness of life and environment” teaches that our environment is simply a reflection of our own life. Because they are interconnected, when we change internally, it’s reflected in our environment. For an explainer on the topic, check out this video.


To unpack this idea, we’re speaking with Nile Ross, of Santa Monica, California, about how his practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo has enabled him to become someone whose internal sense of confidence and self-love outweighs any negativity he experiences from his environment. Based on this shift, he has created a life and career he truly loves.


CHEAT SHEET


1:24 Nile’s early experiences with chanting Nam-myoho-reng-kyo

15:51 The turning point he experienced in 2018

25:28 How he came to redefine happiness for himself

30:51 The impact of making chanting a priority

37:08 How he transformed early experiences with bullying and racism into a sense of purpose

44:08 Becoming a better person by overcoming struggles

49:04 Nile’s favorite Buddhist quotes about revolution

52:29 Advice for anyone new to Buddhism


References:

Correction: It was mentioned that the 50k Lions of Justice Festival took place in 3 cities, but it actually took place in 9.


It’s easy to lose sight of our own strength when life gets complicated, but what if that inherent clarity and capability never actually left? Buddhability explores that very idea through the lived experiences of everyday people. Host Cassidy Bradford guides genuine conversations with a community of practicing Buddhists from SGI-USA, who share how they navigate real-world challenges. You’ll hear personal stories that touch on everything from mental resilience and physical well-being to navigating career shifts and personal relationships. This isn’t about abstract theory; it’s a practical look at applying Buddhist principles to uncover a more confident and compassionate way of living. Each episode of the podcast feels like a thoughtful dialogue, focusing on how to reconnect with that inner resourcefulness-your Buddhability-amidst the stress and clutter of modern life. The discussions are grounded in the belief that enlightenment isn’t a distant goal, but a potential we can all access right now to improve our own lives and positively impact the world around us. Tune in for honest reflections and discover how this perspective can transform the ordinary into something extraordinary.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 244

Buddhability
Podcast Episodes
Love wins, A Buddhist lawyer and the fight for marriage equality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:07
Six years ago today, on June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ratified same-sex marriage, a monumental achievement after a more than 25-year battle across the country.Recently, journalist Sasha Issenberg published a rive…
Never giving up on your dream [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:55
Today we're talking about how not to give up on your dream.Even if we discover our dream job or purpose at a young age, on the path to pursuing it, we often have to grapple with our own self-doubt, tough decisions, and a…
Taking the steps to respect your own life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:57
Today we’re talking to Lorenna Garcia-Bochas, a young woman in Georgia who grew up around the Buddhist community and chanting. Her own practice developed when she started college and faced some major challenges in her fa…
Join Us for a 7 Day Refresh! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36
Today we have a short announcement about Buddhability’s upcoming 7 Day Refresh, starting Monday, May 17. Sign up at www.buddhability.org.
On Boundaries and True Self-Care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:24
Today we are covering one of our most highly requested topics: boundaries and self-care.Our guest is Jessica Riley, a mental health specialist in Florida, who most recently was a military psychologist. After struggling d…
Building a career you love [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:21
Today we're talking about careers, a topic that we plan to cover from many different perspectives on future episodes. Our guest is Louise Ocasion, who started practicing Buddhism when she was in college and struggling wi…
Trailer: What is enlightenment? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46
Instead of an episode this week, we have an announcement! Based on your requests, we just published a video explainer on enlightenment. Find it on Buddhability's YouTube or Instagram, or at this link.
How to turn your circumstances into your purpose [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:30
Today’s episode is about a key Buddhist concept, which teaches that where you are right now is exactly the place you need to be to fulfill your purpose, as long as you're willing to dig deep into your heart and let the c…
How to stop comparing yourself to others [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:00
Today we are discussing a question that comes up a lot: How do I stop comparing myself to other people? It can be a real struggle, especially if you feel like the people around you are better or farther ahead than you in…
Join Us Friday for a Buddhability Community Talk! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:56
Appreciate the Buddhability content but want to hear from people actually practicing Buddhism? We teamed up with members of our Buddhist community to present a new online series hosted by Buddhability. The first one is t…