A Buddhist Monk's Candid Truths About Dissatisfaction, Anger & Finding Happiness

A Buddhist Monk's Candid Truths About Dissatisfaction, Anger & Finding Happiness

Author: The Modern Buddhism Podcast September 9, 2026 Duration: 46:39

In today's episode, host Rebecca Gauthier interviews Buddhist monk Gen Kelsang Dragpa.

Gen Dragpa shares his journey from a discontented youth to finding deep purpose through Kadampa Buddhism. Reflecting on his personal struggles with anger, expectations, and a painful relationship separation, he explains how Buddha's teachings function as a supportive mirror - helping us understand our own minds rather than blaming external circumstances. He discusses the power of simple meditation practices, the transformative experience of meeting his spiritual guide Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, and the reality of navigating inner challenges even after ordination.

Through candid reflections on avoiding perfectionism and resisting instant gratification, this conversation highlights how working on inner peace creates genuine, positive change in the world around us.


00:00 Early Discontentment and Quest for Freedom 

05:54 Reggae, Relationships, and Searching for Control 

11:15 Discovering the Practical Science of Meditation 

16:44 Using Buddha's Teachings as a Mirror 

22:00 Meeting Geshe Kelsang and Requesting Ordination 

27:30 Real Monk Challenges and Inner Kindness 

32:44 Facing Fear and Becoming a Resident Teacher 

38:02 Countering Distraction to Find Lasting Meaning


There’s a quiet space between the rush of daily life and the ancient wisdom of Buddhist teachings, and that’s where you’ll find The Modern Buddhism Podcast. Rather than presenting philosophy as a distant theory, this series focuses on tangible, practical application. Each episode features conversations with individuals who are actively integrating meditation and Buddha’s insights into their modern routines, demonstrating how these practices foster genuine resilience and a more steady sense of contentment. The discussions are grounded in real experience, exploring how inner peace isn’t about retreating from the world but engaging with it more skillfully. You’ll hear from a variety of voices within the New Kadampa Tradition, who produce the podcast, sharing their personal journeys and the subtle shifts in perspective that come from consistent practice. This isn’t about abstract ideals; it’s about the texture of daily life-managing stress, navigating relationships, and finding moments of happiness amidst ordinary challenges. Tuning into this podcast feels like joining a thoughtful dialogue where timeless principles meet contemporary questions, offering listeners a resource for cultivating a stronger, more peaceful mind right where they are.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 43

The Modern Buddhism Podcast
Podcast Episodes
How Do You Forgive Someone Who Never Apologizes? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:21
In today’s episode, we explore the deeply personal and transformative practice of forgiveness - and why letting go of resentment is ultimately about changing our own mind rather than waiting for someone else to apologize…
Musician to Monk: Why I Chose Meditation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:05
In today’s episode, Gen Kelsang Sherab shares the remarkable journey that took him from being a professional musician in Israel and the Netherlands to becoming a Buddhist monk and meditation teacher. Looking back on his…
What If You Lost Everything... And Were OK? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:37
In today's episode, Kadam Michelle draws on 25+ years as a student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso to explore how to find peace amid genuine uncertainty. Recounting her years as a resident teacher through three major h…
I Gave Up Everything (Best Decision I Ever Made) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:12
In today’s episode, Gen Chodor reflects on a powerful feeling he had as a young person - that life seemed almost dream-like - and how this sparked a deep search for meaning and purpose. Drawing on the wisdom of Venerable…
A Buddhist Monk's Honest Advice On Letting Go & Finding Inner Peace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:02
In today's episode, Gen Kelsang Chökyong - a Buddhist monk from Wales - shares the story of how he stumbled into a Dharma class while sheltering from the rain with a kebab, and never left. Drawing on nearly thirty years…
Meditation Tools For When You Can't Control What Happens Next [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:31
n today's episode, Kadam Mick Marcon explores one of the biggest challenges in life - how to cope with uncertainty. Drawing on his own experience of losing his mother, witnessing a stranger's fear on a turbulent flight,…
The Buddhist Mind Hack that Stops the Blame Cycle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:11
In today’s episode, Gen Kelsang Norden explores the meaning of karma and how understanding it can become a liberating and empowering force in our lives. Speaking from her heart and her own experience of practicing these…
Meditation in Hollywood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:33
Cameron Mathison Opens Up About Facing Hate on Social MediaPart 2 of 2 (Part 1 is here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3oSYw1flcsUDbauL2feq0h?si=rPsZdHERQOeZcLyr9TqXfA )In this second part of the interview with actor C…
The Day I Lost Everything [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:13
Cameron Mathison on how he rebuilt his life after the LA fires, cancer, death, and divorceIn today’s episode, we’re delighted to welcome actor and talk show host Cameron Mathison, who shares his deeply personal journey—f…
Pain Is Not From Loss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:14
I Grieved for 20 Years… Until I Learned ThisWe are delighted to welcome back Gen Gomlam in this powerful episode. How do you transform the pain of loss into something life-enhancing? In this conversation, Gen Gomlam – a…