How to make progress, even when you can’t see eye to eye

How to make progress, even when you can’t see eye to eye

Author: SGI-USA November 4, 2020 Duration: 45:46

This week, we speak with Abe Uccello about working for change in Florida’s prison system, even when he couldn’t see any forward movement. He explains how chanting can help you build trust and respect with anyone, and what unity actually means. Hint: You have to unlock your own wisdom and compassion first.

 

Cheatsheet:

 

1:50 What we’re trying to understand today 

4:02 Introduction to Abe

5:02 How chanting helped him feel like he had control over his life again

10:54 His experiences working with the prison system

16:20 How chanting helped him figure out what to do

17:20 What a tenacious effort to build trust helped him achieve

25:10 Why he didn’t give up

28:32 How to maintain hope even when you see the darkest parts of humanity

32:33 What the end goal in Buddhism is

35:46 Advice to anyone feeling stuck or overwhelmed by uncertainty

38:02 What “happiness for self and others” means

45:39 What else to read on Buddhability about feeling stuck and making change

 


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
A Change in My Heart Changed My Family Relationships [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:38
Sometimes we may wish the people around us were different. Today’s guest, Brigid Perry of Boston, shares how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo honestly about her feelings toward her family helped her make a fundamental shift…
How I Feel Hope While Living with Anxiety and Depression [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:10
Ariana Jaramillo, of Santa Cruz, started experiencing panic attacks in high school. Right around that time, she started to regularly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Today, she shares how practicing SGI Nichiren Buddhism has h…
Buddhability Short: How to Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:59
In today’s Short, we’re breaking down the Buddhist mantra Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and explaining how to chant it step-by-step. By the end of the episode, you should feel confident trying it out yourself! Helpful Resources fo…
Rejection Helped Me Become a Published Researcher at 18 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:14
Nikita Agrawal, a recent high school graduate from Chicago, was determined to use her research to contribute to the world. Being the first author of an academic journal article is difficult but submitting it while you’re…
Why You Started Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:25
There are limitless reasons why someone might try chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! For some, it’s an easy leap. For others, it might feel a bit intimidating. That’s why we’re bringing you the voices of several Buddhability…
Changing My Perspective on Success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:56
Vishvak Prakkruth encountered Buddhism in Mumbai when he was an aspiring filmmaker. As he moved to New York and Los Angeles to further his career, he found deeper meaning in his art and shifted his perspective on success…
How Loss Deepened My Appreciation for Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:39
Alexandria Jones, of San Diego, grew up with many examples of the power of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. It wasn’t until becoming a young adult that she decided to test it for herself. In today’s episode, Alexandria shar…
Announcement: Tell us why you started chanting! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:06
We’re making a listener episode with your stories about starting your Buddhist practice! You can submit a voice message telling us, in a minute or less, why you started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Ways to submit your v…
Valuing My Life: Making My Childhood Self Proud [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:19
An 8-year-old Kimberly Cadillo struggled to find her place in a new culture, language and country. Moving from Peru to New Jersey brought many challenges, especially with self-esteem. Today we’re talking about how chanti…