Clinging to outdated ideas and plans is like trying to control the waves of the ocean - the more we resist, the more frustrated we become. By letting go and accepting impermanence, we can become more resilient and open ourselves up to new possibilities. Shedding our old beliefs and plans, like a snake shedding its skin, allows for personal growth and self-exploration. This process of letting go is part of the journey towards release from suffering. Listeners are asked to consider these steps to ...
Sep 09, 2024•11 min•Season 4Ep. 32
Reading from the Sallatha Sutta, or "The Arrow," from the Pali Canon, Margaret Meloni explores the intricate nature of suffering and how our responses to pain can significantly impact our mental well-being. By reviewing this essential Buddhist text, we unpack the distinction between the uninstructed ordinary person and the well-instructed disciple of the noble ones, revealing how each navigates the experience of pain and pleasure. Margaret reminds us of the concept of the "two arrows" that the B...
Sep 02, 2024•12 min•Season 4Ep. 31
Understand your own limitations and boundaries- before you dive into helping others. There is value in both temporary solutions and empowering others for sustainable change. Every small act of help has significance. Listeners are encouraged to recognize the interconnectedness of all sentient beings and the impact that your actions can have on the lives of others. Just remember to be self-aware and to avoid unhealthy attachments to helping. You can embrace your role in the larger mosaic of humani...
Aug 26, 2024•11 min•Season 4Ep. 30
A conversation with a friend who was feeling overwhelmed by the challenges and crises happening in the world, such as political strife, international conflicts, and environmental disasters, led host Margaret Meloni to focus on the fact that we cannot control the external world. Instead, we must focus on what we can control - our own thoughts, emotions, and actions. Taking refuge in the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha) can provide the tools and support needed to navigate these turbulent times....
Aug 19, 2024•10 min•Season 4Ep. 29
A heartfelt story of a father reaching out to his daughter during a tumultuous time—her recent breakup. Through a series of poignant text messages, he emphasizes the powerful analogy of bulls and cows when it comes to facing life's challenges. While cows seek shelter during a storm, prolonging their suffering, bulls charge straight through the storm, experiencing the full intensity of the storm but emerging more swiftly on the other side. The father’s advice to his daughter? Embrace the pain and...
Aug 12, 2024•7 min•Season 4Ep. 28
Life often throws us into situations that make us ponder our purpose and the impact of our daily actions. The concept of Right Livelihood, part of the Noble Eightfold Path, provides a guiding light, illuminating a path to ethical living and purposeful work. Join Margaret Meloni as she dives deep into the essence of Right Livelihood, examining how it encourages honesty, fairness, and empathy in all our interactions. We'll discuss how these principles not only contribute to personal satisfaction a...
Aug 05, 2024•13 min•Season 4Ep. 27
Special guest Simon Bown, a renowned past life regression hypnotherapist, shares his wealth of knowledge and experience in the field, explaining how he guides clients back to their past lives through hypnosis to uncover unresolved trauma and gain insights for healing in their current lifetime. Through the captivating discussion, Simon and Margaret explore the concept of reincarnation and the Buddhist perspective on suffering, pondering the idea that our souls may choose to endure challenges in d...
Jul 29, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 26
Through a series of insightful interviews with guests, Margaret Meloni explores how suffering can manifest mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The episode highlights the idea that suffering is a natural part of life and serves as a guidepost, signaling when something is out of alignment in our lives. Listeners are taken on a journey through different perspectives on suffering, from stress and trauma to addiction and physical pain. The episode emphasizes the interconnectedness of ...
Jul 22, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 25
Meet Reverend Jessica Sharpe, founder of the Joyful Death Institute. Reverend Jessica shares their spiritual journey from being raised in a Mormon family to finding Buddhism, particularly the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and Tibetan Buddhism. They discuss the Buddhist concept of the Second Noble Truth - the truth of suffering, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and sitting with suffering rather than trying to intellectualize or fix it. Reverend Jessica shares how their spiritual journey...
Jul 15, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 24
We all need to have difficult discussions. Host Margaret Meloni shares a personal anecdote about a situation where she avoided giving feedback to an underperforming employee, leading to negative consequences for both parties involved. This serves as a prime example of how avoiding difficult conversations can ultimately do more harm than good. The concept of "compassionate directness" is introduced as a way to approach challenging discussions with empathy and understanding. By empowering individu...
Jul 08, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 23
Ryan Gray, shares his personal experience with addiction and homelessness. He describes how addiction can make even basic tasks like getting to a shelter on time incredibly challenging. The stigma around homelessness and addiction often leads people to wrongly assume those struggling can simply "get a job" and fix their problems. Gray explains that addiction is not about seeking pleasure, but rather about avoiding the excruciating pain and sickness of withdrawal. The addiction becomes all-consum...
Jul 01, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 22
In this episode, we'll explore the Brahma Viharas - the four sublime states of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. These meditative practices are key to gaining release from suffering according to the Buddhist tradition. We'll discuss how the Brahma Viharas work together to purify the mind and prepare it for the path to liberation. Cultivating boundless love, compassion, joy, and equanimity not only benefits ourselves, but also extends these positive qualities to all be...
Jun 24, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 21
In this episode of the podcast, host Margaret Meloni explores two poignant stories from the Jataka tales, which are Buddhist stories that recount the Buddha's previous lives. Through these tales, listeners are introduced to the Buddhist ideals of selflessness, compassion, and the acceptance of impermanence. The first story follows the selfless sacrifice of a rabbit who jumps into a fire to feed a holy man, only to discover that the holy man is actually the king of the gods testing the rabbit's v...
Jun 17, 2024•12 min•Season 4Ep. 20
Giselle Taraba shares her insights on how to navigate suffering through the lens of the Buddhist Four Noble Truths, and how she has learned to approach compassion in a grounded and centered way. Her conversation with host, Margaret Meloni touches on the importance of self-compassion and how it serves as a foundation for extending compassion to others without becoming overwhelmed. Giselle shares her personal journey of leaving a high-stress corporate job to pursue her passion for bringing love, c...
Jun 10, 2024•42 min•Season 4Ep. 19
Let’s consider the fascinating figure of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, also known as Guanyin, in Mahayana Buddhism. We delve into the story of how Avalokiteshvara made a vow to save all sentient beings from suffering, and how he was granted a thousand arms by Buddha Amitabha to better assist those in need. Avalokiteshvara has become one of the most popular Buddhist bodhisattvas. The “Basket Display” sutra is credited for bringing us the secret six syllable mantra, "Om Mani Padme Hum.” This text a...
Jun 03, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 18
Margaret welcomes Trinn Hatch, the co-creator of Jampha Tibetan Pharmacy, to discuss the topic of suffering and relief from suffering. Trinn Hatch shares his own remarkable journey with suffering, from a severe leg injury that almost resulted in amputation to finding healing through cannabinoids, CBD, and terpenes. His dedication to helping others find relief from their suffering is truly inspiring. Trinn's personal story is one of resilience, faith, and the transformative power of traditional T...
May 27, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 17
In this podcast episode, Margaret Meloni shares her personal journey of finding relief from suffering during times of grief and loss. She emphasizes the importance of practicing self-compassion and allowing oneself to feel uncomfortable with death and grief as a normal human experience. Meloni discusses the benefits of being present and not getting caught up in being productive or avoiding the pain of grief. Listeners will hear how Meloni found solace in practicing gratitude, caring for her pets...
May 20, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 16
In this episode, Margaret is honored to host Venerable Clear Grace Dayananda, an ordained Buddhist monastic in both the Mahayana and Theravada tradition. Known as the "Traveling Nunk," Venerable Clear Grace shares her experiences of living in the heart of New Orleans' Seventh Ward, a historically significant black community. She describes the vibrancy and diversity of life in her urban surroundings, reflecting on the natural and human-made sounds that define her daily existence. You can support ...
May 13, 2024•42 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Today, we delve into the fascinating story of Anāthapiṇḍika, chief patron of Buddha and the figure behind the creation of Jeta’s Grove Monastery. Known as the 'Great Benefactor', Anāthapiṇḍika's unrelenting support and generosity towards Buddha and his monks enabled them to spend twenty-five fruitful retreats in Sāvatthi. His significant contributions, however, extend beyond mere financial support. His contributions led to the establishment of a treasured body of knowledge in early Buddhism. Anā...
May 06, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 14
In this episode of the Death Dhamma podcast, we speak to Reverend Christine Davies, a hospital chaplain, writer, and an 'evangelist for grief'. Christine is also well-versed in cognitive behavioral therapy, Reiki, and is a seminary professor. Besides her professional interests, she is also a triathlete and a beekeeper. Christine shares her thoughts on suffering and how she views her main calling, which is to be with others who are suffering. She talks about her work as a hospital chaplain, teach...
Apr 29, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 13
In this episode, we consider Simon Boaz and his perspective as he faces his own impending death. He shares his perspective on life and the importance of appreciating the experiences we have had, rather than focusing on what is missing. While not specifically a Buddhist, his outlook aligns with some Buddhist teachings. Specifically encouraging us to make good use of our human life and recognize the gift that it is. He acknowledges the letdown of the medical process in his own situation, but refus...
Apr 22, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 12
In this episode of the Death Dhamma Podcast, host Margaret welcomes Linda Hochstetler, an accomplished social worker, psychotherapist, Buddhist meditation teacher, and author of the book " 21 Days to Die, The Canadian Guide to End of Life ." Linda shares her passion for the topic of illness, dying, and death, and how she combines her expertise in grief work, hospice palliative care, Buddhism, and meditation to bring a unique perspective to her work. Margaret and Linda discuss the second noble tr...
Apr 15, 2024•44 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Tune in as we explore the profound impact of a small act of kindness, reminding us all of the tremendous difference we can make in someone else's life if we are mindful and empathetic. This heartwarming story serves as a metaphor for how we can confront feelings of failure and despair in our lives and those around us. Could we not do the same, if we try? This episode asks you to reflect - is it not true that we all have the capacity to offer a helping hand, to lift someone's spirits, to remind t...
Apr 08, 2024•10 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Today we explore the deep, historical connection between humans and two of our most enduring companions - horses and dogs. We delve into the intricacies of how these magnificent creatures have shaped our evolution just as we have shaped theirs. From the wide-stretching plains where horses have galloped alongside us, to the edges of forests where dogs have keenly observed us- we uncover the deep-rooted bond that has formed over eons. Horses and dogs have been there for us, in countless ways that ...
Apr 01, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 9
In this episode, we explore the unexpected ways in which caring for a pet can provide purpose and comfort during difficult times. Our pets can help bring us release from suffering. We discuss how, amidst the business of death and the turmoil of grief, the presence of pets can deliver a comforting sense of stability and routine. Some days, the company of a pet offers comfort when human interaction may be too overwhelming. With a pet you always having someone to come home to - someone who is alway...
Mar 25, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Bodhisatta or Bodhisattva is a term often used to describe an enlightened individual who possesses wisdom and compassion. These are people who demonstrate the paramitas or perfections in their lifestyle. We says this as a compliment, a form of admiration. The definition of Bodhisattva extends beyond being a beacon of relief in a world of suffering, especially when considering the term across the three major ways of being Buddhist - Theravāda, Mahāyana, and Vajrayāna. However, we won't explore a ...
Mar 18, 2024•12 min•Season 4Ep. 7
In this thought-provoking episode, we delve Buddhist practice, exploring the profound connections between mettā practice and the concept of merit. We ponder whether these two aspects are separate or intertwined, and how they can complement each other in our journey towards inner peace and compassion. We begin with a contemplation of mettā, alternatively known as loving-kindness or goodwill, and its role in directing well-wishes and positive intentions towards others. We discuss how genuine mettā...
Mar 11, 2024•13 min•Season 4Ep. 6
As we journey deeper into this season, we anticipate the theme of compassion to be a recurring motif in our discussions with those who work tirelessly to ease the sufferings of others. Compassion, while not always verbally expressed, is often the undercurrent that drives their actions and fuels their motivations. This episode kicks off with an interesting anecdote from Margaret’s past - a statement made by an academic teacher claiming the absence of compassion in Theravada Buddhism. This claim, ...
Mar 04, 2024•12 min•Season 4Ep. 5
What if suffering acts as a compass, guiding us towards areas of our life that require care and attention? Suffering signals us that we are out of alignment with our true selves and need to course-correct. When we ignore this signal we will encounter tangible pain and emotional suffering both stemming from a resistance to change and progress. In a recent episode of the podcast, Reevaluating the Idea of Selfishness in Buddhism, we discussed the need to help ourselves. This concept surfaces again ...
Feb 26, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Let’s delve into a commonly misunderstood aspect of Buddhism, particularly Theravada Buddhism – the concept of helping others as part of you spiritual journey. There's a prevalent misconception that according to Buddhist teachings, you should solely focus on your own liberation before turning your attention to help others.. Does this really imply a dismissal of helping others? Margaret argues that this is not the case. She believes that Buddhism, in all its forms, encourages us to support others...
Feb 19, 2024•11 min•Season 4Ep. 3
