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
Reflections on Music, Tina Turner and Overcoming Obstacles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:15
Today we’re speaking with Yuri Yamashita, of New York, about her career as a percussionist and how her Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her beat the odds and her own self-doubt to pave her own pat…
Caring for People vs. The Idea of People [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:46
Today we’re talking about effective activism and how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo can allow us to tap into the internal resources we need to truly help other people. Our guest is Alex Boling, of Los Angeles, who honestly…
Tips and Insights: The Oneness of Life and its Environment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:11
“Tips & Insights” new episode series in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life!Today’s is: the oneness of life and its environment.References:Winning Over Ourselves B…
Survival vs. Happiness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:17
Today we’re talking about what it takes to believe that you can be happy, even when you’re facing the most difficult circumstances. Our guest is Christina Moran, of El Paso, Texas, who shares her own journey of pursuing…
What wellness really means [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:51
Today we're talking about what wellness really means from a Buddhist perspective. Our guest is Erica Stein, L.A.-based co-host of the podcast Courageous Wellness, and Buddhist practitioner. We cover everything from the p…
How I Beat the Odds: Doctor Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:53
Today we're talking with Bobby Eppsteiner, a surgeon in Massachusetts, who shares the story of how he used his Buddhist practice to beat the odds and become a doctor, even when he was told he wouldn't make it. Key takeaw…
Tips and Insights: The Oneness of Body and Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:28
“Tips & Insights” new episode series in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life! Today’s is: the oneness of body and mind.References:We Are Connected to Everyone, Ever…
How to bring main character energy to your life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:28
Today we're talking about what it takes to live your life as the main character or protagonist. Our guest is Nadia Ullah Morin, of Texas, who shares her journey practicing Buddhism after an unexpected series of events to…
Anxiety, Self-Trust and Psychology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:06
Today's episode is a conversation with psychologist Elizabeth Merrick about anxiety, therapy, Buddhism, and how they all connect. Sometimes it helps to examine what Buddhability looks like from different perspectives, id…