Handful of Leaves | Mindfulness & Buddhism in Everyday Life

What does Vesak mean beyond flowers, incense, and rituals? In this warm and insightful conversation, the HOL team reflects on their childhood memories, evolving understanding, and personal aspirations for Vesak. From funny temple stories to deep reflections on renunciation, this episode explores how we can live the true spirit of Vesak — not just on one day, but every day.Key Takeaways:

In this heartfelt farewell episode, Kai Xin shares her personal journey of stepping away from Handful of Leaves to fully pursue the spiritual path. Together with Heng Xuan, they reflect on the early days of HOL, the community they've built, and what lies ahead. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the platform, this episode is a touching reminder of purpose, presence, and legacy.Key Takeaways:

In this enriching episode of Handful of Leaves, Venerable Sumangala shares how Buddhist wisdom can be applied to everyday challenges—whether in the workplace, in speech, or in balancing spiritual life with modern demands. With heartfelt stories and practical guidance, she offers a grounded path toward wisdom, mindfulness, and right living.Key Takeaways:

In this episode of Handful of Leaves, Venerable Sumangala shares insights on the practice of letting go and renunciation, emphasising the importance of inner transformation and understanding suffering. She explains how letting go of attachment to ego and external perceptions leads to true freedom and happiness, while still pursuing goals with a balanced approach.Key Takeaways:

In this deeply personal episode, Julian opens up about his journey of self-discovery, struggles with self-acceptance, and how Buddhism transformed his perspective on life. He shares his battles with fear, vulnerability, and self-doubt, offering valuable insights on resilience and personal growth. Join us as we explore the power of kindness, healing, and embracing one's true self.#SelfDiscovery #MindfulnessJourney #HealingThroughVulnerability #BuddhismAndLife #OvercomingFearTranscript: https://bit.ly/hol-ep-55Timestamps:(00:00) – Introduction & Disclaimer(01:37) – Julian's Journey into Buddhism(02:13) – Learning from Buddhism & Personal Growth(03:40) – Losing Everything & Finding Purpose(04:11) – Facing Fear & Coming Out(05:27) – Overcoming Judgment & Self-Doubt(07:37) – Battling Negative Self-Talk(08:42) – Vulnerability & Family Support(09:55) – The Power of Self-Kindness(10:10) – Understanding Ego vs. True Kindness(12:08) – Taking the Leap to Be Vulnerable(12:56) – Buddhist Teachings & Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts(13:45) – Closing Reflections & GratitudeSpecial thanks to our sponsors:Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen, Nai Kai Lee, Amelia Toh, Hannah LawEditor and transcriber of this episode:Hong Jia Yi, Ang You Shan, Tan Si Jing, Bernice Bay, Cheryl CheahGet connected here: Telegram Instagram YouTube Facebook

In this insightful episode of Handful of Leaves, we held a conversation with Brother Duc Pho - a monastic from Plum Village - to explore the powerful connection between music and mindfulness. Discover how music can enhance meditation, help transform suffering, and cultivate a more joyful, present life. Brother Duc Pho also shares personal stories, practical tips, and reflections on balancing silence with song, making this episode a harmonious blend of wisdom and melody. There's an error in the subtitles: It should be European Institute of Applied Buddhism, not the European Institute of Applied Music. #MindfulMusic #TransformWithMindfulness #JoyfulPractice About the Speaker Brother Đức Phổ (徳普), born in the Netherlands in 1985, first got in contact with Buddhism while traveling in South-East Asia. Later he found a practical and applied form of Buddhism in Plum Village France and has been practicing and building sangha as a lay practitioner in this tradition since 2010 and continues to do so since being ordained as a monastic under Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in 2016. He currently practices with the monastic sangha of Thai Plum Village International Meditation Practice Center in Pak Chong, Thailand. Brother Duc Pho enjoys sitting meditation and slow walking outside in nature, drinking tea in mindfulness, playing music and offering his presence as an authentic human being and practitioner with people of all ages including young people and children. Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-ep-54 Timestamps: (00:00) – Introduction (01:15) – Fun Question (02:30) – Music and Mindfulness (03:20) – Mindful Music vs. Obstacles (04:10) – Music as a Double-Edged Sword (06:15) – The Eight Precepts (07:30) – Music Choices and Intentions (09:10) – The Three Complexes (10:00) – Music for Healing (13:20) – Final Advice (14:35) – Music as a Community Builder (15:25) – Closing Thoughts Resources: Plum Village Thailand  https://www.thaiplumvillage.org/ Joyful Garden Sangha Singapore  https://www.joyfulgarden.sg/ Plum Village Malaysia  https://www.instagram.com/plumvillagemalaysia?igsh=MWN1amV1OWoxNzJ2eQ== Plum Village Indonesia https://www.instagram.com/plumvillageindonesia?igsh=bmg5bzVxNWppdjd0 https://wkup.org/ Special thanks to our sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen, Nai Kai Lee Editor and transcriber of this episode: Hong Jia Yi, Ang You Shan, Tan Si Jing, Bernice Bay, Cheryl Cheah Get connected here: Telegram Instagram YouTube Facebook

In this inspiring episode, we explore how to rise above criticism, face unfairness with courage, and grow into a stronger, more resilient version of yourself. Join host Cheryl and guest Jeraldine Phneah, a top tech sales leader and content creator, as they share transformative insights on navigating challenges, embracing forgiveness, and thriving in an often judgmental world.

In this episode, Cheryl and Sister Sylvia discuss practical ways to avoid critical judgment, cultivate compassion, and align our actions with the Dhamma for a more peaceful life. Some key takeaways include:

Join us in this conversation between Cheryl and Heng Yeh —an award-winning poet, writer, and translator, as we discuss grief using poetry as a means to unpack the nuances. The conversation feels like peeling an onion , unfolding the layers of this complex human experience, and we hope you take a ride with us on your morning or evening commute! We talk about grief

Navigating conversations about death can be challenging, especially with ageing parents. In this poignant episode, Sis. Sylvia Bay, esteemed Dhamma Scholar shares insights on how to approach the topic of death with our parents, particularly in cultures where discussing death is considered taboo:

In this thought-provoking discussion between Cheryl and esteemed Dhamma Scholar Sis. Sylvia Bay, we explore the vital Dhamma principles that guide us in our relationships with our parents and the deeper aspects of filial duty while staying true to our principles! Highlights include:

In the vast ocean of teachings, how do we discern the true Dhamma from the false?

Bro. Lim Kooi Fong shares the inspirational story behind NORBU, a pioneering Buddhist AI chatbot designed to promote mindfulness and spiritual growth through open dialogue. He was inspired by the Dalai Lama's call to spread the Nalanda tradition of Buddhist learning through open discourse. This led him to create NORBU, a pioneering AI chatbot that provides a safe, non-judgmental space for individuals to explore personal struggles, ethical dilemmas, and spiritual questions related to Buddhism. Drawing from diverse traditions and authoritative sources, NORBU guides users through a process of honest self-reflection, applying Buddhist teachings to cultivate greater mindfulness and facilitate positive growth. With its commitment to inclusivity, accuracy, and the principle of Brahma Vihara, NORBU represents an innovative approach to making the Dhamma accessible and fostering mindful conversations that can spark personal transformation. About the Speaker: Bro. Lim Kooi Fong has been a student of Buddhism and Dharma teacher for more than 30 years. He is the founder of the Buddhist AI Chatbot NORBU (https://norbu-ai.org), the Buddhist Channel (buddhistchannel.tv) and Buddhist Travel (buddhistravel.com). He is a life member of Upakara Kalyana Mitta Buddhist Assocation (UKMBA). He currently manages a bioinformatics company based in Cyberjaya. He actively conducts Dharma talks for Buddhist societies around Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Transcript: ⁠https://bit.ly/hol-ep-45 Timestamp: 00:00:00 - Introduction by Cheryl on the Handful of Leaves podcast 00:00:30 - Introduction of Brother Lim Kooi Fong, founder of NORBU AI 00:01:00 - Brother Kooi Fong shares the inspiration behind NORBU AI 00:02:00 - Discussion on Nalanda tradition and its importance 00:04:00 - Initial responses to NORBU AI beta version 00:05:00 - NORBU AI provides a safe space for discussing sensitive topics 00:09:00 - Diversity in the team handling source data for NORBU AI 00:10:00 - NORBU AI as a tool for building mindfulness and awareness 00:11:00 - Discussion on the purpose and potential impact of NORBU AI Resources: For individuals: Use Norbu-AI https://norbu-ai.org/ For Buddhist societies: Integrate NORBU-AI Chatbot on your webpage. Contact Bro Lim here: kooifong.lim@gmail.com Special thanks to our sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen Editor and transcriber of this episode: Cheryl Cheah, Susara Ng, Ke Hui Tee Get Connected Here: Telegram Instagram YouTube Facebook

In our newest episode, we delve into the intricate journey of spiritual identity with our special guest, Ray Choo, director and producer of Waking Up 2050

In this episode, Cheryl and Kai Xin reflect on their ever-evolving journey of deepening their Dhamma practice—a lifelong quest for true happiness! We speak about:

Google was known to be the "goldenboy" in the tech industry, and many NEVER saw the layoffs coming. How was it like for Gonzalo as one of the key decision makers for the layoffs in APAC, and to lead the team that was most impacted by the layoffs? In the ever-evolving realm of global business, leadership demands the ability to make challenging decisions. Gonzalo Ruiz Calavero, the Director of Recruiting at Google APAC, boasts 37 years of diverse global experiences and shares invaluable insights on navigating difficult decisions in both personal and professional spheres. This blog post delves into Gonzalo's wisdom, acknowledging his missteps and learning experiences. Gonzalo Leads all Recruiting activities of Google in APAC since April 2021. In this role he is responsible for connecting the world's most innovative people with opportunities across Google, fueling the future of Google's products and services in APAC. He currently manages Google's largest HR function in Asia with teams spread across multiple geographies. He is helping scale Google's operations in APAC which is also the fastest growing region for the company globally. Previous to joining Google, he worked at Siemens, a German Technology conglomerate active in the fields of Energy, Healthcare, Industry Automation and Transportation, as the Global Head of Talent Acquisition. In his 35 year long career, he has lived and worked in the US, Spain, Greece, Germany and in the last 13 years in Singapore. He has led teams at Country, Regional and global level, within the full spectrum of the HR areas, from HR operations, Centers of Expertise, Business Partnering and was a member of the Global HR Leadership Team of Siemens for 11 years. He is strongly devoted to the development of the Human Resources practice through numerous engagements, organizations and activities. Gonzalo graduated with B.Sc. in Economics and Master in International Economic Structure from the University Autonoma of Madrid. He is married with 3 children.

Ever wondered about the soothing voice behind “The Chant of Metta” or “Heart Sutra” often heard at Buddhist events?

What do taxes, death and kamma have in common?

Join us for an enlightening journey with HOL's co-founders, Heng Xuan and Kai Xin, as they evolve from nominal Buddhists into a passionate Dhamma-tic Duo. 

In Episode 34,

Dive deep into the riveting narrative of personal transformation in this podcast episode, as we explore the gripping story of conquering addiction with the power of mindfulness and wisdom.

Have you ever wondered why do people offer food in ghost month? Can ghosts eat them? Join our lovely podcast co-hosts Kai Xin and Cheryl on an engaging chat exploring Buddhism's take on the origins of ghost month, ghostly encounters and hell. To make this episode even more terrifying or interesting (depending on whether you are a scaredy cat like Cheryl or a brave soul like Kai Xin), we are also going to read real life ghost stories submitted from our audiences. Stay tuned and learn more about ghosts! Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-ep33-ghost Timestamp: (02:11): The background of the Hungry Ghost festival (08:08): The dead teach us how to live (11:30): Does hell exist? (13:50): Ghost food (18:46): Recollecting our own virtues (21:51): Army ghost story (27:30): The nature of fear (31:59): Virtue and fear (34:55): Ghost story II : A possession near Bukit Timah Special thanks to our sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Loo Tiong Ngee Editor and transcriber of this episode: Ng Yah Tyng, Cheryl Cheah, Koh Kai Xin Get connected here:⁠Telegram⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠YouTube

We speak to Greendot Singapore's CEO, Yong Hong on growth, balance and purpose. Discover Green Dot's rise from a veggie stall to a beloved meat-free empire and we cover personal learnings, such as

It's easy to condemn the actors as 'selfish', or 'stupid' to throw everything away, including their careers, reputation and one can only imagine the negative consequences on their families and spouses. What is really going on in the mind of people who have affairs? In the latest episode, we speak to Jason*, who has both been someone who cheated on as well as someone who was cheated on in his past relationships to understand what's beneath the surface, to see the human behind the 'cheater', and explore what we can do to move forward and forgiving oneself and others. Note: this episode was recorded before the recent scandal and aimed to offer a different perspective and reflection on the same topic. Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-pod-ep-31 Timestamps: [00:00] Introductions [00:54] Experience of cheating and being cheated on [05:49] Getting to the root cause [08:57] Creating the conditions to not hurt others [09:48] Mind is the forerunner of all states [10:15] Morality and Right Effort [11:31] Moving on with forgiveness, self-love and Right Effort [15:32] Finding closure with your ex-partner [16:23] Giving yourself closure [17:34] Summary and wrap up Special thanks to our sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Loo Tiong Ngee Editor and transcriber of this episode: Tee Ke Hui, Cheryl Cheah, Koh Kai Xin

Are you someone who constantly seeks to go above and beyond, setting high standards for yourself? Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of overachievers with Ven Damcho and explore the intricate dynamics that drive their relentless pursuit of success.

Resilient. Strong. Got their sh*t together. Are these words used to describe you? But deep down, do you struggle with embracing vulnerability, fearing you'll become a burden, to even the closest around you?" She was the epitome of success—thriving in the corporate world, a respected Nominated MP, and happily married. Yet, life had its own plans and threw her into a “colossal collapse” of a broken heart, a broken marriage, and a broken bank account. And that deep dark place was also the birthplace of wisdom for her when she realised that she didn't have to do it all, alone.  Join Anthea Ong on her empowering journey as she unveils: The transformative power of vulnerability Human to Human Connections: Deepening authentic, genuine relationships Learning how to set boundaries and avoid oversharing Bonus: Feeling like you're a burden to others? Anthea offers two refreshing takes on this! Transcript here: ⁠https://bit.ly/hol-giveaway-29⁠ About Our Guest: Anthea Ong served as a Nominated Member of Parliament from 2018–2020 in the 13th Parliament of Singapore. As a self-described “fultime human being, part-time everything else”, she is a mental health advocate, social entrepreneur and impact investor, life and leadership coach, strategy consultant, yoga and wellness instructor and author, amongst many other roles. She is never seen without headgear to match her multiple hats. WIN A FREE EXPERIENCE: We're giving away 1 complimentary seat (worth $68) to the Hush Tea Bar experience that's happening on the 29th July 2023. It's a 90-min experience with tea appreciation, sign learning and mindful reflection led by the Deaf. To stand a chance to win this. Check out our ⁠Instagram⁠ to learn how. Timestamps:  (00:00): Introductions (01:49): Vulnerability means Love and Relief / We are never so vulnerable as when we love (05:37): Overcoming the shame of being vulnerable (08:50):  Vulnerability is key to human connection (10:03):  Vulnerability with boundaries (15:11): Using Vulnerability to understand and end one's suffering (16:48): Vulnerability with Purpose (25:34): Helping others feel more comfortable with vulnerability (29:18): Vulnerability at the workplace (34:34): Seeing our leaders as humans too (37:50): Ideas for book titles on vulnerability Resources: ⁠50 Shades of Love⁠ ⁠Hush TeaBar⁠ - HUSH started in 2014 as a volunteer-run ground-up initiative before becoming a social enterprise in 2016 where we have mostly given employment and empowerment opportunities to Deaf persons and Hearing persons in recovery from mental health conditions.  SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang Editor and transcriber of this episode: Tee Ke Hui, Cheryl Cheah, Koh Kai Xin

In episode 28, we speak to the Group CEO of Etonhouse International Holdings - Singapore, Ng Yi-Xian who oversees schools from infant care to high school in 11 countries across 120 campuses. We discuss how mindfulness has changed his life, shaped his leadership and a lot more: 

In this fire-round episode, Ven Damcho will answer 5 top-rated questions you asked on Telegram about masturbation, lust, kinks and more! Join our Telegram Handful of Leaves to be part of the conversation! ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Venerable Thubten Damcho is a Buddhist nun residing at Sravasti Abbey, one of the first Tibetan Buddhist training monasteries in the United States. Born and raised in Singapore, she graduated from Princeton University in 2006 and worked as a high school teacher and public policy analyst in the Singapore government before returning to the U.S. to take novice ordination in 2013. She tells her story in The Straits Times Singapore. Venerable Damcho's monastic life is rich and varied. She serves as assistant to Sravasti Abbey's founder, author and well-known Buddhist teacher Venerable Thubten Chodron. Her other responsibilities range from translating Chinese texts into English to removing weeds from the Abbey's 300-acre property. Venerable Damcho has given Dharma talks in Spokane, Idaho, California, India, and Singapore. She was the Chinese-English interpreter at a full ordination program in Taiwan in 2019, and has studied Tibetan through Maitripa College and with other teachers since 2017. ---- Wilson Ng: Navigating the uncertain waters of love and lust while learning to accept his sexuality, Wilson has learnt a lot from the mistakes made. He is learning to accept himself for his attachment to lust and to see the inherently unsatisfactory nature of sex and lust. Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-bonus-ep (0:00) What does Buddhism say about Masturbation? (2:46) How do monastics skilfully relate to sexual desire? (4:20) Importance of spiritual friendship in navigating desire-related afflictions (6:14) Dealing with lustful thoughts while in a committed relationship (9:31) Self-awareness of own identity & respect for others' identity SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Tan Key Seng Editor and transcriber of this episode: Tee Ke Hui, Cheryl Cheah Get connected here: ⁠⁠⁠Telegram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠

"Sex" and "the Buddhist." Two words you rarely hear in a sentence! Buddhism is always associated with meditating or chanting and "purity." While that is an important path of the practice, let's not forget the human behind the Buddhist, where our sexuality, sexual relations and desires can play a big part of our lives as we navigate sometimes messy and chaotic adulthood. We'll do the topic that nobody wants to talk about. In this episode, you will be hearing new voices on the show! Wilson and Cheryl will be partnering up as co-hosts, and we dive into this topic with Venerable Damcho, a nun based in Sravasti Abbey.

Forget the avengers. Hiri & Otappa are taught to be the guardians of the world. In this episode, learn from Sis Miyen about Hiri & Otappa: simply translated as **wise** fear and shame.

What do you say to a loved one who is diagnosed with cancer? What would you do if you were diagnosed with cancer? Siew Lin shares her journey of battling cancer and leading a fulfilling life. Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-pod-ep25 Timestamp: (00:00): What happened before the recording (02:49): Introduction, how it all started (07:56): The sudden jump from stage 0 to stage 4 (10:06): Coming to accept (11:50): How is the ideal response to a person diagnosed with cancer? (16:55): The worst thing to say to a person with cancer (19:31): Cancer treatment and the struggles (22:31): One step at a time and ways of coping (25:20): Changes in priorities and reflections (31:22): What do you want to leave behind (34:42): Cancer is just one chapter of your story Resources: Health Hub: Signs of breast cancer Reach to Recovery: Breast cancer support group National University Cancer Institute Singapore: Breast cancer support group Breast Cancer support group (Malaysia) Breast Cancer Foundation (Malaysia) Special thanks to our sponsor for this episode Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña. Get connected here: ⁠Telegram⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Facebook

About our guest Kar Fei Kar Fei coaches and grows individuals and executives into high performers in life. His life is obsessed with this question, “How can we be the best version of ourselves, and be happy and fulfilled in our lives?“. He is part of the Hive Global Leadership Program (a community of leaders and entrepreneurs) and the Global Shapers Community by the World Economic Forum. He is also a TEDX Speaker, and a member of the Forbes Coaches council. Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-pod-24 (00:00) Introductions (01:18) What does a successful relationship mean? (07:41) The importance of intimacy, passion, and commitment in a good relationship. (13:53) How do you find alignment when you're so different? (16:51) Importance of shared vision in a relationship (21:07) The three key things in a long-term relationship - Vision, Values and Personal Traits (27:00) Is there a right time to have kids? (35:04) The two things that make or break communication in a relationship - Curiosity and Intention (39:29) Practical tips for being a supportive partner (46:37) A Buddhist perspective on Romantic Love - Anchored in Right View and Loving-Kindness Connect with Kar Fei IG: instagram.com/coachkarfei Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karfeicheah/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liferedesigned.co Coaching/Training: www.liferedesigned.co/corporate Resources: Book: On Love, by Ajahn Jayasaro Book: How to love by Thich Nhat Hanh Does Buddhism support romantic love? By Thich Nhat Hanh Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne Get connected here: Telegram Instagram YouTube Facebook

From Childhood to Romance: The influence of our parents' relationship on our love lives. In this episode, we discuss how much we are influenced by the relationships modelled around us, understand different attachment styles, and find the root cause of our pain. May, a senior psychologist also draws on her personal experiences and client stories to help us understand how our attachment wounds can manifest as relationship problems and how we can resolve them. More about Sis May Liu: May Liu, a practising clinical psychologist cum caregiver, who believes in empowering lives by connecting with people. She is a mindfulness practitioner who is passionate about bringing mindfulness to families and couples. She is currently leading Seremban Sudhamma Sunday Dhamma School's teens and children in learning the Dhamma through group work and exposure to nature. Transcript will be out on 24th Feb: https://bit.ly/3YUyTbk Timestamps: (00:00) Introductions (03:46) Learning from relationships modelled around us (07:35) Being aware of how it affects us (11:03) Understanding our attachment wounds (16:09) Being aware of the cause-and-effect (20:11) Sense of expectation for reciprocity (23:02) Contentment comes from understanding the nature of things (24:45) Understanding the narrative behind our emotions (29:14) Navigating different patterns of attachment (31:58) Practical advice on building stronger relationships Resources: https://www.parallax.org/mindfulnessbell/article/flowers-in-the-dark/ Trauma and Beginning Anew: https://youtu.be/ljdsTSneYuY Reconciliation by Thich Nhat Hanh: https://youtu.be/yka-3jPwX5M Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne Get connected here: Telegram Instagram YouTube Facebook

After the death of her first love, all Cynthia wanted someone to take away all the hurt and pain. She realized, though, as she sat on her floor surrounded by tissues, that she would have to find a way to do it for herself. Through this search, she found that communication was key. If she wanted to change how she lived in the world she would have to change how she interacted with it, which meant changing how she talked with others and herself. When she learned the elements of Right Speech in Buddhism she knew she'd found her way out of suffering, yet she had no idea how actually to put the guidelines into practice, and so began her lifestyle experiment. And soon, the Kane Intentional Communication Practice was born. This practice has now been taught to more than 60k people and is changing marriages, work environments, family dynamics, friendships - lives. She also shares her work in her books: How to Communicate like a Buddhist, Talk to Yourself like a Buddhist, How to Meditate like a Buddhist. Cynthia is offering a free mini-course to our listeners. It is called Communicate with Confidence: https://www.intentionalconversations.com/intentional-communication-challenge Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-pod22 TimeStamp (00:00:00) Introductions (00:00:53) Using Right Speech and Meditation to move out of suffering (00:06:00) Changing the way we communicate with ourselves (00:09:18) Common communication patterns that give rise to conflict with others (00:13:08) Being firm but compassionate in our communication (00:16:28) Understanding our core emotions (00:20:49) How to argue without being too demanding? (00:26:56) How do we communicate when we have hurt others? (00:32:20) Communicating on bigger issues (00:37:49) Meeting in the middle (00:40:36) Ending a difficult conversation (00:43:01) Guided meditation More about Cynthia and her works: https://kanecommunicate.com/ https://cynthiakane.com/ Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce Get connected here: Telegram Instagram YouTube Facebook

We've all felt lonely at some point(s) if our lives. But why do we feel lonely? What's the opposite of loneliness? And is there a way to be alone but not feel lonely? Find out more with our co-hosts Cheryl and Kai Xin as they chat with Heng Soon. About the guest Teo Heng Soon (known as Soon in short) is a final year student at the University of Melbourne studying towards his passion of becoming a human capital consultant. Passionate about people, he has been a leader with multiple volunteer organisations like the Dyslexic Association of Singapore. Buddhist Fellowship Youth has been his Dhamma home for 12 years. Honing his leadership skills, he has learnt to give Dhamma talks and conduct workshops and sutta discussions. On a personal level, Soon is passionate about the arts - from Karate to Photography. Transcript here. Timestamp: (02:30): Going to the temple for the girls (04:29): Fitting in to feel less alone (05:55): Struggles with Dyslexia, Bullying (09:46): What's the link between loneliness and essentialism (15:04): Everything is Dhamma (15:16): Kai Xin's interpretation of Loneliness (22:45): Running away from Loneliness (25:39): The persistent theme of identity - “What am I?” (27:11): Being Alone is Not a Problem? (30:28): Suffering still won't go away even if you're enlightened (31:49): Letting go doesn't mean you own nothing; but that nothing owns you. (35:16): Finding stillness in Seclusion: Soon's reflection on his 2-week ordination journey (40:44): Tips to cope with loneliness: community, cognitive diffusion. Helpline: National Care Helpline: 1800-202-6868 SOS 24-hour Hotlines: 1800-221-4444 SOS 4-digit hotline: 1-767 Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Institute of Mental Health: 6389-2222 (24 hours) Tinkle Friend:1800-274-4788 (for primary school-aged children) Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800 Thank you to our sponsors for this episode: Alvin Chan, Tan Jia Yee, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee hoon, Wilson Ng, Geraldine Tay, Ven You Guang.

Amidst market turmoil, a looming recession and the Russia Ukraine war, the number of global tech layoffs has been rising at an alarming rate. These layoffs are also hitting really close to home. Singaporean employees are getting axed from top tech companies such as Microsoft, Twitter and Meta. This year alone, we have already seen 850 tech companies laying off a total of 136,000 employees so far, and this number has been rising gradually across the months. We speak to Livia Lee, an ex- Meta Diversity Programme Specialist, and is one of the 11,000 people who are impacted by the layoffs in Meta globally. We will be speaking to her about her experience, what has she learned throughout this entire layoff journey, and how can others take care of themselves in an uncertain job climate. And of course, how can you be a helping hand to friends and others experiencing a tough situation like this. Timestamps: (3:11): No Layoff experience is pleasant (5:37): 3 factors that affect how one experiences layoffs (7:03): A little bit of human never hurts. (8:53): Are you really grateful after being laid off? (11:26): The silver lining in an en masse layoff (16:56): Where do you place work in your life? (20:59): Advice for planning your career (21:32): Create a career experiment for your alternative paths (22:47): Ask yourself questions to clarify. (26:17): An unexpected gift from the layoff (28:02): Finding fulfillment outside of work (29:31): Advice from the Two Arrows Sutta (30:01): The first arrow that hits everyone (31:51): Shame in hiding our grief (38:23): Backup plan helps you to keep going Transcript here : http://bit.ly/3Wcmjn3 Resources: 9 things you can do for someone you know who got laid off recently The 8 worldly winds The arrow sutta Thank you to our sponsors for this episode: Alvin Chan, Tan Jia Yee, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee hoon, Wilson Tan.

You don't have to be religious to practise mindfulness and meditation. But we also can't deny that there is a huge overlap between secular mindfulness and mindfulness in Buddhism. So what are the differences and why does it matter? And as Buddhists, how do you know if you are progressing on your path? ----- About our guest: Dr. Yeoh Kar Kheng has over 15 years of experience in practising and teaching Mindfulness and is a certified trainer under the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute, teaching scientific-based mindfulness and emotional intelligence curriculum developed and tested at Google. Dr Yeoh is also the founder and project leader of Mindful@Sejahtera, Mindfulness for Everyone Program under D'Home Mental Health Association, and the chairman of Malaysia Mindfulness Association. More about him Bite-sized videos about Mindfulness (In Mandarin) LinkedIn Timestamp: (0:40) : Dr Yeoh's introduction to meditation and Buddhism (10:58) : Difference between secular and Buddhist meditation (11:52) : Mindfulness does not belong to Buddhists (17:42) : The 4Rs of mindfulness (20:27) : Buddhist mindfulness: Right mindfulness (21:31) : The Noble Eightfold Path (22:04) : Right View (22:57) :The Three characteristics of life (27:05) : The three ways of wisdom (27:31) : You don't need to be a Buddhist to know these (33:46) : Wrong mindfulness (34:49) : What constitutes meditation? (42:15) : Not mindful, no problem (43:00) : Is there any way to know we are progressing? (43:25) : Are you merely a chicken who can sit still? Transcript: bit.ly/3FsZKUa Resources: 10-day Vipassana meditation: https://sg.dhamma.org/ https://www.dhamma.org/en/ The Noble Eightfold path Talk by Ajahn Sujato Thank you to our sponsors for this episode: Alvin Chan, Tan Jia Yee, Siau Yan Chen, Tan Key Seng, Ven You Guang, Soh Hwee hoon, Wilson Tan.

Inevitably in life, we have to part ways with friends. Sometimes we break up involuntarily due to some misunderstandings, sometimes we deliberately choose to walk away from friends who are toxic. There is no one easy way to break up with friends. In this episode, we have our special guests, Khema and Nalanda, from the u awake? podcast to chat about friendship breakups. Cheryl and Kai Xin, together with the guest shares their experiences of breaking up with friends and: When do we walk away from friends? How do we walk away from toxic friends? Who should we associate with? Transcript: bit.ly/hol-ep18-friendshipbreakups Timestamp: (0:50): Nalanda – being ganged up on. (7:55): Khema – fading away from friends to heal from the past. (11:09): Cheryl – stopping contact due to one-sided romantic feelings. (14:15): Kai Xin – walking away from toxic friends. (17:12): Who is a good friend? Are you being judgemental? (25:48): Different categories of friends. (34:00): Sometimes it's beneficial to be hurt from time to time. (35:06): Giving and taking. (35:39): How will the fools be wise if the wise don't associate with them? (37:20): When should we break up with a friend? (43:09): We have the power to turn toxicity into wholesomeness too. (45:35): Good friends increase our chances to be enlightened. (47:21): How to cut off toxic friends? Check out u awake? podcast here: Instagram Spotify Readings: Mangala Sutta Two kinds of friends, Ajahn Jayasaro Thank you to our sponsors of this episode: Alvin Chan, Tan Jia Yee, Siau Yan Chen, Tan Key Seng, Ven You Guang, Soh Hwee hoon, Wilson Tan. Help sponsor our efforts to make Buddhist teachings applicable to daily life here: http://handfulofleaves.life/support Got a comment about the podcast? Share your thoughts on our Telegram channel: https://t.me/handfulofleaves

As we move into adulthood, the pursuit for independence can be at odds with our parent's wishes, especially in the Asian context. We may not agree with our parents on what's best for us (career, relationship, lifestyle etc). We may stop showing affection towards them. And along the way, that might leave them feeling hurt or abandoned. In this episode, Cheryl and Kai Xin chat about Their relationships with their parents. Moving out Not pursuing the career that most parents think is 'good' Saying "I love you" to parents Dealing with Toxic parents Ways to repay our parents Transcript here: bit.ly/3X4JjoP Timestamp: (1:56): Are you filial? (5:50): Kai Xin's relationship with parents (8:16): Cheryl's relationship with her mother (11:02): Love or views? (14:06): Conflict-averse and wanting independence (15:01): Do first and ask for forgiveness later (20:08): I know better than you! (22:21): Kai Xin the Rebel (27:10): Do you say I love you to your parents? (30:58): Tips to communicate with your parents in conflict (38:44): How to repay your parents? (43:48): What if your parents are of a different faith? Thank you our sponsors to this podcast: Alvin Chan, Tan Jia Yee, Siau Yan Chen, Tan Key Seng, Ven You Guang, Soh hwee hoon, Wilson Tan. Support our efforts: https://handfulofleaves.life/support/

Having suicidal thoughts is more common than we think. You never know who may be suicidal, it could be the person with the biggest smile in the room, your strongest parent, or even yourself. According to SOS Singapore, suicide is the leading cause of death for those between 10-29 years old. We hope that today's episode will bring you hope if you're feeling suicidal. Or if you know someone who is suicidal, this could perhaps help shed light on what they're going through and how you can be of support to them. Note: The guest in this episode is kept anonymous and their voice is altered. Transcript here GET CONNECTED: Telegram Instagram YouTube Facebook ---- Timestamps: (1:26): Guided meditation to arrive (2:59): Have you experienced suicidal thoughts before? (5:53): When was the first time you had suicidal thoughts before? (7:27): I want the pain to end. (9:49): Story about a teenage boy who wanted to end it all (13:42): How do you usually navigate conversations with suicidal people? (19:48): Everything is just bottled up (21:35): Two broad reasons on why are people suicidal ? (23:14): How can we help ourselves? (25:26): The 5 remembrances (25:50): Regulating yourself when emotions run high (28:14): Tying back to the 4 Noble Truths! (33:01): The question that we all did not have answers to! (36:39): The two bamboo acrobats (38:18): Gifts of pain (39:26): Last advice ---- Helpline: National Care Helpline: 1800-202-6868 SOS 24-hour Hotlines: 1800-221-4444 SOS 4-digit hotline: 1-767 Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Institute of Mental Health: 6389-2222 (24 hours) Tinkle Friend:1800-274-4788 (for primary school-aged children) Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800 Resources to read: https://www.sos.org.sg/blog/i-want-to-help-someone-who-has-suicidal-thoughts https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-worried-about-someone-else/supporting-someone-suicidal-thoughts/ ---- Thank you our sponsors to this podcast: Alvin Chan, Tan Jia Yee, Siau Yan Chen, Tan Key Seng, Ven You Guang, Soh hwee hoon, Baey yuling, Megan Lim

How does an abundance mindset align with the Buddhist values and practice? Daylon shares personal stories of how moving away from the scarcity mindset has helped him in his life and career. Daylon is a corporate executive turned education entrepreneur who runs a training institute, based in Singapore & Malaysia, focused on helping professionals and businesses grow their careers and business with User Experience (UX) Design and Product Management. Daylon is a Buddhist by faith and has been a pescatarian since 2016. More about Daylon and his work: https://curiouscore.com/ https://sg.linkedin.com/in/daylonsoh Timestamp: (0:40): Misconceptions about the abundance mindset (1:18): Introduction about the abundance mindset (2:28): Daylon says hello! (3:32): Abundance mindset helping in mid career transitions (4:13): Your mindset can make or break your business (5:05): Questions to determine whether you have the abundance or scarcity mindset? (7:28); Being blind to what you do already have. (8:51): Feeling not good enough can creep up to even the most unexpected person? (10:17): When did this sense of lack begin? (11:21): How the sense of superiority became a sense of inferiority. (13:17):The one factor to distinguish scarcity and abundance (15:29): Conditional vs unconditional mindset (16:37): No excuse for not putting in the work! (20:32): Unconditioning the mind's subconscious scarcity (21:43): Competitiveness as the perfect example of scarcity mindset (23:01): Is the abundance mindset simply about wanting more and more? (24:00): The impermanence of everything (24:52): Tying abundance mindset to Buddhism (27:29): A muscle to be trained and acknowledging how difficult it is (30:50): Do not become like Mother Theresa (31:48): Cheryl's aha moment! (32:47): Me vs We (33:21): The synergy in sharing! (34:11): What's the next best intention that I can bring? (39:09): Two things Daylon did to force him out of a state of lack (42:21): Gifts for the listeners! Special thanks to our sponsors of this episode: Alvin Chan, Tan Jia Yee, Siau Yan Chen, Tan Key Seng, Ven You Guang, Soh hwee hoon, Baey yuling

If you feel like you need to get your life all figured out but haven't, this episode is for you. In our chat with Ling Ling, we discover: ✅ The balance between having a plan and going with the flow ✅ Being good/average at everything vs being GREAT at ONE thing ✅ What to do when you are at life's crossroads ☝️‼️We also get an insider view of how to answer this classic question from a job recruiter: Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years' time?

During her career in emergency medicine, Dr Ng Yuen Yen realised that as a doctor, she was not able cure death. She then awoke to the fact that the Buddha has cured death and that she'd have to understand that for herself. This episode attempts to unpack Nibbana (enlightenment) and shares a balanced approach on how we can slowly increase our happiness in the here and now. About the speaker: Dr Ng Yuen Yen was born into a Buddhist family. She obtained her MBBS Singapore in 1979, FRCS (A&E Edinburgh) in 1987, Homecare USA in 2002, and BA (Honours) from the Buddhist & Pali University, Sri Lanka. She lectured at Mangala Vihara on Early Buddhist History from 2001 to 2019 to Diploma students. She also teaches meditation at Buddhist societies and is a certified .b mindfulness teacher. Transcript here: https://bit.ly/3xaBwuv (0:28): Welcome and intro to today's topic (2:10): Who is Dr Ng Yuen Yen? (4:50): Loving the Dhamma (6:27): A doctor can't cure death, what can? (8:18): The goal changes (10:42): What is the cure to death that Buddha found? (12:00): Different realms of existence (13:18): Heaven and hell on earth (13:57): Simplicity as a form of happiness (15:46): The gradual path of relinquishment (18:10): An attainable path walked by the wise (19:21): Breathing in long, you know you are breathing in long. How well do you know your breath? (21:06): Clouds in the skies are impermanent, just like our body (23:28): What pebbles are you throwing into your mind pool (26:08): Is peace boring? (26:30): Eat, drink and be merry (30:34): No more netflix and parties? (31:14): Friends who support you well (32:55): Taking refuge in the Triple Gem Thanks to this episode's sponsors: Siau Yen Chan V You Guang Tan Jia Yee Lim Soon Kiat Click here to sponsor

Sis Ratna Juita is a TEDx speaker, facilitator and lifelong learner. She facilitates training in areas of Mindfulness, Well-being, Personal Mastery & EQ. She went through a transformational journey through mindfulness practice and now dedicates her life to empowering others to do the same. She co-authored the book “Women Empowered: Personal Journeys to Become Empowered Women”. She has volunteered at Buddhist Fellowship since 2007, and has been giving back to the community by grooming youth leaders and facilitating workshops for youths in Buddhist societies in Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia. Transcript here: https://bit.ly/ep12-hol-ratna Timestamps: (0:01): Intro to today's topic (1:10): Introducing Ratna Juita (2:32): What's your superpower? (3:59): The challenges of being a female solopreneur (5:26): Two ways she went through the overwhelming situations (7:48): What is your body telling you? (11:09): Detach from your emotions (12:46): Where does the sensation end? (16:04): Who are you spilling your tea to? (16:48): Opening up your story can also help you heal (18:40): The ABCs of mindfulness (24:55): The inner critic is not always your enemy (27:48): Comparing with our own journey (28:30): Establishing personal boundaries as a way of self-love (29:20): 4 Questions for daily self-reflection Thanks to this episode's sponsors: Siau Yen Chan V You Guang Tan Jia Yee Lim Soon Kiat Click here to sponsor

In this episode, Datuk Charlie shares his experiences dealing with hostile colleagues who sabotage his work and how to navigate stressful situations. Datuk Charlie started his career as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and later worked in Construction, Real Estate Development and Legal Services. Some of his roles and contributions: Advocate and Solicitor in Soh Hayati & Co Independent Director of GDB Holdings Berhad Former Group CEO of a Listed Property Developer, United Malayan Land Berhad. Founded many Buddhist organisations - BMS Youth Section, Kota Tinggi Buddhist Society, Metta Lodge Johor Bahru and Kuantan Buddhist Association. Lay Advisor to Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia. (0:01): Introduction to Datuk Charlie Chia and the topic today (2:14): How he got started in his Buddhist Journey (3:34): The benefits of Dhamma in the corporate world (5:50): How Dhamma helps you as a leader (6:54): Finding a win-win situation (8:55): Toxic workplaces are inevitable (9:40): I want your job: Turning jealous colleagues into good friends (13:42): The three great virtues of patience, tolerance and understanding (14:22): Karma: Why don't I get good results when I do good deeds? (16:01): How do take care of one's mental health when in a toxic workplace? (23:26): The art of managing changes (25:03): Synchronise with the law of nature (28:12): The 5 cosmic laws of nature (30:50): Have you heard of Karmic Management? (32:05): Practical steps to prioritise well being Learn more about the 5 Niyamas here: https://www.learnreligions.com/the-five-niyamas-449741. The 5 Niyamas are found in the Buddhist Visuddhimagga commentaries by 5th BCE Buddhist Scholar Buddhagossa and are not part of the Suttas. Special Thanks to: August Lum for creating the new soundtrack for our podcast: His work here Transcript here: bit.ly/3pcAVUp Special thanks to the sponsors of this podcast Siau Yen Chan V You Guang Tan Jia Yee Lim Soon Kiat Click here to sponsor

About Heng Teng Teng: Founded her own training and coaching business (Grow Consultancy) in 2010 to help people be more resourceful in responding to changes. She is certified in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Adult Maturity Developmental Coaching, and Enneagram of Personality. Has 2000 hours of coaching hours, and her clientele includes leaders ranging from MDs, GMs, and SVPs to Region Heads from various Fortune 500 companies, and government statutory boards to support them in their inner mental shifts to navigate the business challenges and demands. Transcript here Timestamp (03:19): Teng Teng and her journey to founding her own consultancy (04:45): The three definitions of failure (05:43): Sharing of her significant early memories when she failed (08:35): The chase for inflated levels of happiness (13:48): Reflecting on impermanence in the face of failure (16:34): How do we know when to quit? (17:22): Finding clarity by tuning into our body (21:31): Is your inner critic always helpful? (23:39): What seeds are you cultivating in your mind? (29:55): Failing in meditation and the spiritual path (36:43): Advice to those struggling on the path (42:27): Where to find Teng Teng's work and connect with her Special Thanks to: August Lum for creating the new soundtrack for our podcast: His work here Special thanks to the sponsors of this podcast Siau Yen Chan Alvin Chan V You Guang Tan Jia Yee Click here to sponsor

About Amy Edelstein: IPPY-award winner and #1 Amazon bestselling author Begun her own meditation practice in 1978, spent four decades practicing, studying, researching, writing about Founder of Inner Strength Education, which brings mindfulness, systems thinking, and social-emotional tools to under-resourced schools, training more than 17,000 teens in Philadelphia public high schools. Created a trauma-informed free mindfulness app for teens Inner Strength VIBE, available on GooglePlay and App Stores. Awarded a Philadelphia Social Innovation Award for her organisation's work in Violence Reduction. She is a Cornell University College scholar and the author of six books, including The Conscious Classroom. Transcript: here Timestamp: (02:46): Amy and why she spent her 21st in the Himalayas (09:04): What is wisdom? (12:19): Learnings & experience in Zanskar (19:06): Do you need to go to the mountains to experience inner awakening? (22:41): Tapping into love amidst rising gun violence in the neighbourhood (26:44): Increasing our capacity to love ourselves (30:02): Severe Car Crash and mindfulness to rise above anxiety (36:13): Making meditation possible even if we're busy (40:12): How to choose your spiritual teacher to guide you (43:40): Where to find Amy's work and her new book More from Amy: Book: Adventure to Zanskar - A young woman's solitary journey to reach physical and metaphysical heights Book: The conscious classroom - The Inner Strength System(TM) for Transforming the Teenage Mind FB: https://www.facebook.com/AmyEdelstein.Educator IG: https://www.instagram.com/innerstrengtheducation/ Insight Timer Guided meditation Special Thanks to: August Lum for creating the new sound track for our podcast: His work here Sopisa for editing the transcript for this episode Special thanks to the sponsors of this podcast Siau Yen Chan Alvin Chan Lynn Leng V You Guang