Overcoming negative self-talk… and other chanting tips

Overcoming negative self-talk… and other chanting tips

Author: SGI-USA July 31, 2021 Duration: 44:15

Tomorrow, we are kicking off our 31-Day Chanting Journey so today’s episode is filled with practical tips and advice on how to make the most of it, especially if one of your reasons for doing it is to address negative self-talk.


Out guest is Erin Harris, who grew up practicing Buddhism in the Bay Area. Erin’s own story is so moving. She grew up with a stutter and at a young age, realized that the only time she felt she could really be her authentic self and not stutter was while chanting. Today, she breaks down how chanting works, and how it can help address questions of self-esteem, inner negativity and making every day a quality one.


If you’re listening to this in August, join the chanting journey by signing up for our daily newsletter at www.buddhability.org.


You’ll get daily prompts that you can combine with your chanting to fuel your growth, a downloadable calendar, as well as inspiration from others in the Buddhability community.


CHEAT SHEET


1:47 How Erin started practicing Buddhism

3:15 Her experience with stuttering and how chanting helped

6:18 How to chant and what it means

9:02 The purpose of the Gohonzon and your altar

10:47 What you can chant about

15:02 Some tips on intention-setting if you are just starting out

18:28 The role of the Buddhist community

22:25 How to address negative self-talk

26:35 Erin's own experiences overcoming negative self-talk through a chanting challenge

32:18 Where to start if your struggle with self-esteem feels overwhelming

39:01 Why it is important to be consistent with chanting

42:16 One piece of advice for anyone starting the chanting journey


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: Uncertainty after graduation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:34
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 navigating life after graduation and finding your unique path.…
Learning to Love Myself [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:14
It can be hard to embrace ourselves when society often makes us feel otherwise. In this episode, we’re talking about how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo empowers us to appreciate and treasure every part of who we are.Today’…
Happiness That Can’t Be Destroyed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:33
Daily life can feel like a roller coaster where we’re tossed around by the ups and downs of our health, school, family relationships and so on. Through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we can strengthen our life force and b…
Buddhability Short: Making meaningful friendships [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:01
Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept that we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re talking about how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo brings out the characteristics needed to make auth…
Facing the Fear of Death [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:32
It’s natural to want to look away from the inevitable reality of death but Buddhism teaches that death is an alternate phase of life and makes up a larger universal cycle. To understand death is to deepen our understandi…
Buddhability Short: How to increase your life force [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:41
Buddhability Shorts is a monthly series where we break down a Buddhist concept that we’ve touched on in an interview. This month, we’re talking about how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo elevates the inner state of life and…
Overcoming Loneliness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:09
Experts say the U.S. is dealing with a serious “loneliness epidemic” as adults feel more isolated and alone than ever. How can Buddhism help us break out of our shell and find meaningful connection with others? Today’s g…
How I Beat Burnout [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:22
Our daily lives can be challenging and we might be asking ourselves, “Is there anything more to life than sleeping, eating and going to a job I don’t like?” If you’re feeling burnt out, you’re not alone. But Buddhist pra…
Breaking Through Stagnation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:56
Do you ever feel like you’re not making any progress even though you’ve been trying to reach a goal for what feels like forever? Today’s guest, Hannah Doherty, of Los Angeles, shares how she broke through self-doubt and…
Buddhability Short: Finding your purpose [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:57
Buddhability Shorts is a monthly series where we break down a Buddhist concept that we’ve touched on in an interview. This month, we’re talking about how Buddhist practice helps us to value our unique qualities and lead…