The Modern Buddhism Podcast

In today’s episode, Gen Rabten explores one of the biggest questions we can ask about our lives: what is the point? He explains how modern life can leave us feeling increasingly purposeless, whether through anxiety about the future, the pressure to achieve success, changing ideas about work and wealth, or the realization that the things we thought would make us happy often fail to provide lasting fulfilment. Drawing on the teachings of Buddha and the wisdom of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, he examines why we can become trapped in repeatedly chasing temporary sources of happiness while overlooking the deeper sources of peace within our own mind. Referencing The New Eight Steps to Happiness and How to Understand the Mind, he explores how wisdom, compassion, kindness, and training the mind can give our lives a genuine sense of meaning. The conversation also considers how we can make a difference in the world by changing the way we respond to conflict, difficulty, and the people around us. Ultimately, this episode offers a powerful perspective on finding purpose not through what we achieve or acquire, but through developing inner peace and using our life to benefit others.00:00 The Search for Life’s Meaning 07:02 Searching Philosophy for Answers 13:00 Why We Chase False Happiness 19:02 Understanding Real Happiness 25:04 Finding Meaning Through Kindness 30:00 Guarding the Doors of the Senses 35:12 What Actually Matters in Life 40:01 Transforming Conflict Through the Mind 45:02 Testing Buddhist Teachings in Life 50:01 Living to Benefit Others Book References by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso📖 The New Eight Steps to Happiness: https://kadampa.org/book/eight-steps-to-happiness📖 How to Understand the Mind: https://kadampa.org/book/how-to-understand-the-mind📖 How to Transform Your Life: A Blissful Journey: https://kadampa.org/book/how-to-transform-your-lifeWant More?Find a meditation center near you : https://kadampa.org/nkt-center-search/?lang=enListen to teaching clips : https://open.spotify.com/show/5QPCFEyZz74nOHZbQr1B4zFollow the Modern Buddhism Podcast – Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7lgQNhbjMGoHOxBnjkfmK4 ⁠Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modernbuddhismpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernbuddhismpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@modernbuddhismpodcast #KadampaBuddhism #Buddhism #Meditation #InnerPeace #Happiness #MeaningOfLife #PurposeInLife #Mindfulness #Compassion #Wisdom #MentalPeace #SpiritualGrowth #BuddhistWisdom #GesheKelsangGyatso #GenRabten

In today’s episode Gen Kelsang Leksang shares her personal journey from a high-powered corporate career to a spiritual life as a Buddhist nun and teacher. Reflecting on her life, she reveals how experiences that once felt like failures were, in fact, profoundly beneficial—shaping her personal development and inner growth. She explains that when life appears to be falling apart, peace and purpose can be found by letting go of attachment, adjusting our expectations, and training the mind in acceptance. Drawing on the wisdom of the New Kadampa Tradition, Gen Leksang explores how focusing on others, cultivating compassion, and developing inner acceptance can transform suffering into clarity and confidence. This episode offers heartfelt reflections on death, purpose, career pressure, and happiness — showing how even life’s most painful moments can become profound teachers. Insightful, practical, and uplifting, this conversation gently challenges modern ideas of success and invites us to discover a deeper, more stable happiness that comes from within.Chapters:00:00 Introduction & Career Shift 02:16 Searching for Purpose 02:30 Father’s Illness & Death 03:36 Refuge, Acceptance, and Peace 05:33 Learning Through Helping Others 07:20 Redefining Success and Happiness 08:10 Finding Depth While Living Fully 12:32 Pressure, Plans, and Life Direction 15:13 Career Advice for Young People 17:09Discovering True Motivation 20:18 Letting Life Evolve Naturally 26:46 Inner Peace Is Happiness 28:02 Acceptance When Life Doesn’t Work OutBook References In this episode Gen Leksang references the following books by by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso:How to Solve our Human Problems https://kadampa.org/book/how-to-solve... Modern Buddhism https://kadampa.org/book/modern-buddhism How to Transform Your Life https://howtotyl.com/ Gen Leksang is a senior teacher within the New Kadampa Tradition, an international Buddhist tradition with over a thousand meditation centers worldwide. WANT MORE? Find a meditation center near you: https://kadampa.org/nkt-center-search... #modernbuddhismpodcast #newkadampatradition #innerpeace #buddhistwisdom#meaningfullife #acceptance #compassion #findingpurpose #meditationpractice #mentalwellbeing

Buddhist teacher Kadam Morten Clausen talks with Agnes about his 30 years of living and teaching in the Big Apple: the challenges of modern city life and what they've taught him, and his experience of decades of practising meditation and mindfulness in New York City.Morten is the National Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition for the Eastern United States and regularly teaches all around the world; he is the resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Center New York City: https://meditationinnewyork.org-----The guests of these podcasts are practising Buddhists who meditate according to the New Kadampa Tradition, which has over a thousand meditation centers worldwide. See more https://kadampa.orgWANT MORE?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U5J8JlJq2YFind a meditation center near you: https://kadampa.org/nkt-center-search/?lang=enListen to teaching clips: youtube.com/nktikbu https://open.spotify.com/show/5QPCFEyZz74nOHZbQr1B4z Follow The Modern Buddhism PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernbuddhismpodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@modernbuddhismpodcastFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/modernbuddhismpodcast

Kadam Morten Clausen talks about how our limited or negative view of ourself is the basis for low self esteem. Then how we can change our view of what the self is and through this develop a new way of identifying ourself that gives authentic higher self esteem and we can learn to be happy with ourself.In today’s podcast, Kadam Morten talks about a very important topic—the way we view ourselves and how this view shapes our self-esteem. It's something that many of us struggle with: the negative self-talk, the limiting beliefs, and the sense of not being enough. Kadam Morten explores how our limited or negative view of ourselves is actually the foundation of low self-esteem. But here's the good news: We have the power to change how we see ourselves, and in doing so, we can unlock a higher, more authentic sense of self-esteem and happiness.So, how do we make this change? Listen to find out.Book referencesHow to Transform Your Life: https://kadampa.org/books/free-ebook-download-howtotylKadam Morten is the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Center New York City https://meditationinnewyork.org/The participants of these podcasts are practicing meditation according to the New Kadampa Tradition, which has over a thousand meditation centers worldwide. See more https://kadampa.org/WANT MORE?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U5J8JlJq2YFind a meditation center near you https://kadampa.org/nkt-center-search/?lang=enListen to teaching clips: youtube.com/nktikbu https://open.spotify.com/show/5QPCFEyZz74nOHZbQr1B4z Follow the Modern Buddhism PodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/modernbuddhismpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernbuddhismpodcast/ TIkTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@modernbuddhismpodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7lgQNhbjMGoHOxBnjkfmK4 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/519b6d69-b6ed-46b2-ab56-ebaf59adf96e/the-modern-buddhism-podcast #modernbuddhismpodcast #buddhism #podcast #selfesteem #selfcare #SelfImprovement #PersonalDevelopment #Motivation #peaceofmind #inspiration #happiness #ConfidenceBuilding #MentalHealth

Gen Kelsang Rabten joins Adam on the podcast for a wide ranging discussion of the various stages of meditation from the very first steps to how to reach the highest levels. Insights are shared and explored that will help us access our inner strength and stillness; show us how we can use meditation to diffuse negative thought patterns in our mind and replace them with healthy positive alternatives; and the special techniques advanced meditators use to create the ideal mental environment for deeply effective meditation are revealed. Something for everyone interested in meditation from complete beginners to the most experienced practitioners - enjoy!