Margaret welcomes returning guest Stephen Schettini, a mindfulness teacher and author of acclaimed works such as "The Novice" and "The Art of Letting Go". Stephen shares his journey of exploring the historical Buddha, challenging traditional narratives, and diving deep into the early Buddhist texts of the Pali Canon. Stephen uncovers intriguing historical contexts that shaped the Buddha’s motivations, especially in light of the geopolitical turmoil in his homeland of Sakya. As Stephen...

Recalling her experiences visiting a California state prison alongside regular guest Venerable De Hong, Margaret Meloni uncovers the raw and profound manifestations of suffering within the correctional environment. Through the stories shared by incarcerated individuals, she highlights the common threads of abuse, abandonment, and addiction that contribute to their circumstances—a powerful reminder of the multifaceted nature of suffering. We are reminded: The purpose of the podcast is to...

Journey through a powerful sutta from the Samyutta Nikaya, where we witness a profound exchange between the Buddha and a newly ordained monk grappling with a severe illness. As the monk confronts his increasing pain and anxiety, the Buddha's compassionate visit becomes a pivotal moment for transformation. Rather than simply seeking to alleviate the monk's physical suffering, the Buddha engages him in a thoughtful Socratic dialogue, guiding him to explore the teachings on impermanence and...

Consider these thought-provoking questions about the most important individuals in your life. Are you clinging to them out of fear? Or are you nurturing your relationships with love and mindfulness? Know the difference between unhealthy attachment and genuine care, it's natural to love your family and friends, but you must also be prepared to release them if needed. Listeners are invited to engage in a reflective exercise, considering the actions they've taken—or would take—to maintain these...

Clinging to outdated ideas and plans is like trying to control the waves of the ocean - the more we resist, the more frustrated we become.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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

  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...

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...

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...

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...

  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...