On Self-Love and Relationships

On Self-Love and Relationships

Author: SGI-USA December 13, 2021 Duration: 45:38

Today we’re talking about self-love and relationships, and, specifically, how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo can empower you to become the protagonist in all your relationships, whether they are romantic or family-oriented, or you just want to better how you interact with other people.


Marilena Ward, of Queens, New York, shares her story today, which begins with one of the toughest periods of her life, when she moved from Panama to New York by herself to learn English and begin a new life. On a deeper level, however, she was running away from a number of challenging relationships, including with her then-boyfriend and her family.


This is when she decided to start her Buddhist practice and quickly realized that she was the common denominator in all her relationships, and her tendency toward pessimism and anger was driving her unhappiness. So began a journey of profound inner transformation in which she used chanting to heal her own toxic relationship with herself, which caused ripple effects in all her other relationships.


Cheat Sheet

1:30 Introduction to Marilena
2:05 When and why she began practicing Buddhism
4:35 The hope that emerged from chanting
8:32 Her experience in a toxic relationship
10:50 How her journey of self-love began
13:03 The role the Buddhist community played in her transformation
16:32 How she changed on the inside
24:20 The Buddhist concept that took a huge weight off her shoulders
25:49 What karma into mission means
32:49 Three steps anyone can take to begin to tackle self-love
41:26 What Marilena’s vision for the future is
43:32 Advice for anyone struggling with self-love or relationships right now

References:
How you can practice self-love every day


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
The Grind: Self-Mastery and Success in Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:16
Chip Grossman, of Santa Monica, always thought spirituality and business were opposing goals. It wasn’t until he encountered SGI Nichiren Buddhism that he realized their deep ties. Today, Chip shares how chanting Nam-myo…
Buddhability Short: It's Never Too Late [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:40
Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re talking about life milestones and feeling left behind. To ask a question abou…
When Plans Unexpectedly Change [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:35
Life can’t always go according to plan. So, what do we do when things change? Buddhist practice helps us to be flexible and turn everything into an opportunity for deeper happiness. Today’s guest, Camryn Snowden, of Okla…
Seeing Beyond My Complaints and Problems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:27
Daily life throws a lot at us. When our state of life is low, it can be easy to get wrapped up in complaint. Buddhism teaches that caring for others helps us see beyond our problems, having a more expansive view of our l…
Perseverance is a Skill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:30
What happens when you’ve failed at your goal… more than once? Today’s guest, Ayumi Sasaki, of Detroit, had a big career goal that took two years and many attempts to accomplish. We discuss how her Buddhist practice and c…
Buddhability Short: What Is Love? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:27
Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re learning how Buddhism can help us in relationships and love. To ask a questio…
Believing in My Family Instead of Trying to Control Them [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:36
When we want others to change, we’re at the whim of our environment. One moment we’re happy with their actions and another we’re upset with something they said. Buddhism teaches us that when we work on our inner transfor…
Buddhability Short: Why Do We Have a Daily Practice? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:33
Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re talking why SGI Nichiren Buddhists chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo every day. To as…
Your Past Decisions Don’t Define Your Future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:23
We might have a laundry list of regrets but we don’t have to let them determine our lives today or tomorrow. Today’s guest, Jesse Thompson of Columbus, Indiana, shares how he used his Buddhist practice to overcome shame…
How a Tattoo Artist is Revitalizing Her Community [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:46
Buddhist practice empowers us to positively impact our environment. Amber Owens, of Anniston, Alabama, uncovered a deep sense of purpose in revitalizing her hometown’s art culture. Today we’re talking about how chanting…