Never giving up on your dream

Never giving up on your dream

Author: SGI-USA May 28, 2021 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 at times, challenging and unexpected obstacles.


Today we’re talking to Michael Cornell, a 5th-grade teacher in New York City. After struggling with anxiety and depression during graduate school, and then facing the realities of education in NYC, his journey in education became more and more challenging. But when he discovered Buddhism along the way, chanting helped him expand his own vision for education and develop the spirit to do his best at every task in front of him. 


Key takeaway: Our environment doesn’t need to dictate whether we feel we are on the right path or not. Rather, by tapping into our Buddhability through chanting, we can create the conditions to advance toward our dreams, no matter what’s happening around us.


CHEAT SHEET

  • 1:24 How Michael discovered his passion for education
  • 4:21 Why he was drawn to Buddhism
  • 10:58  What his vision for education was
  • 14:23 How chanting impacted his daily life
  • 32:41 What a value-creation based vision for education looks like
  • 39:01 How to create the conditions for trust and success
  • 46:20 The award Michael is currently up for

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
Buddhability Short: How to face the thing you've been avoiding [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:21
In today’s Short, we talk about how to do the thing we’ve said we would do for days, months or years. Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an…
Rewriting The Story I Tell Myself About Who I Am and Who I Can Be [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:11
We all have narratives we tell ourselves about what is possible for our lives. Today’s guest, Jackie Alexander, of Chicago, shares how she overcame limiting beliefs about the kind of student and person she was. We discus…
3 Things I Learned This Year and 2 Things I’m Bringing into Next Year [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:42
Thank you for an incredible year! Today we’re reflecting back on Buddhability’s 2024 guests and some things we’ve learned from them. We can’t wait to show you what we have planned for 2025. Reach out to us any time at co…
Buddhist History Pt.3: Buddhism Today [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:02
With so much to learn about Buddhist history, it can be hard to know where to start! This month, we’re doing a short series covering Buddhist history. Today’s episode is about how the Lotus Sutra and Nam-myoho-renge-kyo…
Buddhist History Pt.2: Nichiren Daishonin and Nam-myoho-renge-kyo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:13
With so much to learn about Buddhist history, it can be hard to know where to start! This month, we’re doing a short series covering Buddhist history. Today’s episode focuses on the origins of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhi…
Buddhist History Pt.1: Shakyamuni and The Lotus Sutra [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:59
With so much to learn about Buddhist history, it can be hard to know where to start! This month, we’re doing a short series covering Buddhist history. Today’s episode covers the early history of SGI Nichiren Buddhism.Onl…
A Psychiatrist’s Experience with Buddhism and Mental Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:20
Today’s guest, Bora Colak, is a psychiatrist in Brooklyn who struggled with depression for years after graduating from Harvard. When he started to practice Buddhism, something changed deep in his life. Bora shares the st…
How I Stopped Tying My Self-Worth to Relationships [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:22
Self-worth is tough to cultivate when we look to others for validation. One moment we’re flying high, then one harsh word sends us spiraling. Today’s guest, Nikki Gonzalez, of Oakland, shares how her Buddhist practice he…
Buddhability Short: Refreshing Your Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:55
Do you feel overwhelmed and exhausted? In today’s Short, we talk about how to refresh yourself when you feel pulled in too many directions. Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common…
Finding My Path as an Art Therapist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:46
What does it look like to have a fulfilling career? While no one can tell us the best life path for us, Buddhism offers a clear framework for understanding how to live with meaning and purpose. Today’s guest, Paige Asawa…