This is a coping skill when we are overwhelmed by a strong feeling that overshadows everything else. My takeaway: if it's not time to hit the Panic Button, don't hit the Panic Button! :)

This is a coping skill when we are overwhelmed by a strong feeling that overshadows everything else. My takeaway: if it's not time to hit the Panic Button, don't hit the Panic Button! :)

What Else?

We are all wounded in ways we don't always understand or even know about. You sometimes can't even see the wound, but you still experience its symptoms: your reactions, aversions, opinions, preferences, and biases, are often indicators of trauma, so don't ignore, escape, deny, or try to numb the symptoms, pay attention to them; awareness is the first step to healing.

We are all wounded in ways we don't always understand or even know about. You sometimes can't even see the wound, but you still experience its symptoms: your reactions, aversions, opinions, preferences, and biases, are often indicators of trauma, so don't ignore, escape, deny, or try to numb the symptoms, pay attention to them; awareness is the first step to healing.

Wounded

Everything is in a constant state of change, and sometimes it can be very difficult for many of us to keep up. Resistance creates suffering, so acceptance is the only way forward, but some learning curves are steeper than others. Be gentle with yourself and with everyone else. 

Everything is in a constant state of change, and sometimes it can be very difficult for many of us to keep up. Resistance creates suffering, so acceptance is the only way forward, but some learning curves are steeper than others. Be gentle with yourself and with everyone else.

Learning Curve

Some people will like you, others will hate you, and neither would have anything to do with you. All Buddhist Boot Camp Podcast episodes are available with captions on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4J225QZyF0o

Some people will like you, others will hate you, and neither would have anything to do with you. All Buddhist Boot Camp Podcast episodes are available with captions on YouTube: <a href="https://youtu.be/4J225QZyF0o" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/4J225QZyF0o</a>

Nothing Personal

A worry that comes up in your mind is like getting a phone call from an unknown number. When you don't have all the information, you can just hit the red button to make it go away. They will either leave a voicemail and you will deal with it later, or they will hang up. Either way, there is nothing to worry about.

A worry that comes up in your mind is like getting a phone call from an unknown number. When you don't have all the information, you can just hit the red button to make it go away. They will either leave a voicemail and you will deal with it later, or they will hang up. Either way, there is nothing to worry about.

Snooze

I found myself surprisingly motivated by pessimistic thoughts, driven to action by what I previously thought was a "negative" perspective, but I now realize is neither "good" nor "bad," it's just another voice that needs to have equal say during the decision-making process. Now pessimism has a "seat at the table," so to speak. What motivates you?

I found myself surprisingly motivated by pessimistic thoughts, driven to action by what I previously thought was a "negative" perspective, but I now realize is neither "good" nor "bad," it's just another voice that needs to have equal say during the decision-making process. Now pessimism has a "seat at the table," so to speak. What motivates you?

Pessimism

That which we don't like about someone else is often what we dislike about ourselves. So, next time someone triggers you, think to yourself "Thank you" instead of "F-you" because they are reflecting a side of you that you try to ignore.

That which we don't like about someone else is often what we dislike about ourselves. So, next time someone triggers you, think to yourself "Thank you" instead of "F-you" because they are reflecting a side of you that you try to ignore.

Reflection

What you DON'T do is as important as what you do (if not more so). So, instead of thinking you need to do MORE of something in order to be more mindful or spiritual or healthy, what do you need to STOP doing because it's working against you?

What you DON'T do is as important as what you do (if not more so). So, instead of thinking you need to do MORE of something in order to be more mindful or spiritual or healthy, what do you need to STOP doing because it's working against you?

Alignment

Does the way you cope with one challenge cause another problem down the line, sometimes even bigger than the initial difficulty with which your coping mechanism was designed to help? It's important to have multiple tools so we don't try to solve everything with food, for example, which would be like trying to build with only a hammer.

Does the way you cope with one challenge cause another problem down the line, sometimes even bigger than the initial difficulty with which your coping mechanism was designed to help? It's important to have multiple tools so we don't try to solve everything with food, for example, which would be like trying to build with only a hammer.

Coping Mechanisms

You get upset with people as if life has a script and they need to play along. There is no script. And nobody is under contract to act according to you. When I get upset with someone, this is the 3-minute episode I bring to mind to calm down.

You get upset with people as if life has a script and they need to play along. There is no script. And nobody is under contract to act according to you. When I get upset with someone, this is the 3-minute episode I bring to mind to calm down.

Off Script

The intention is to awaken, enlighten, enrich, and inspire. Timber Hawkeye, bestselling author of Buddhist Boot Camp and Faithfully Religionless, offers a secular approach to being at peace with the world, both within and around us. As the Dalai Lama says, "Don't try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist, use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are."

Don’t let thing that hurt you haunt you

Response ability

The topics always touch me and help me check myself on my own journey. 🙏🏻

Grateful

Buddhist Boot Camp Podcast

Ever want to focus on something but your mind keeps drifting away to whatever IT wants to think about, or really want to stop thinking about something but your mind "can't help it?" That's because you've never trained your mind to listen to you, and have allowed it to do whatever it wants. It's time to train it, slowly but surely...

Ever want to focus on something but your mind keeps drifting away to whatever IT wants to think about, or really want to stop thinking about something but your mind "can't help it?" That's because you've never trained your mind to listen to you, and have allowed it to do whatever it wants. It's time to train it, slowly but surely...

Training the Mind

If we're dependent on outside validation for a sense of self-worth, then we run the risk of living our entire lives polishing an image that pleases others rather than having awareness of our inherent worth by simply living and working with integrity. We've been told a story of hierarchy and then urged to make it to the top so we can look down on others, but I don't think our value is a contest or a competition; we all serve a purpose. And if we can live in peace with ourselves and with others, then we are part of the solution by not being part of the pollution.

If we're dependent on outside validation for a sense of self-worth, then we run the risk of living our entire lives polishing an image that pleases others rather than having awareness of our inherent worth by simply living and working with integrity. We've been told a story of hierarchy and then urged to make it to the top so we can look down on others, but I don't think our value is a contest or a competition; we all serve a purpose. And if we can live in peace with ourselves and with others, then we are part of the solution by not being part of the pollution.

Self-worth

The important difference between Family and Relatives. 

The important difference between Family and Relatives.

Family

Anger is a mask that covers hurt feelings or fear. If we learn to explain our anger instead of expressing it, we will immediately move away from hatred and rage, and gently open the door to solutions and understanding. 

Anger is a mask that covers hurt feelings or fear. If we learn to explain our anger instead of expressing it, we will immediately move away from hatred and rage, and gently open the door to solutions and understanding.

The Origin of Anger

If you respond to any situation in life by saying, “This shouldn’t be happening,” you will experience anger, anxiety, despair, and hopelessness, which are significantly worse than the situation itself. We have a choice: we can either resist change (which leads to a life-long struggle with everything and everyone around us), OR we can gently navigate through all the inevitable twists and turns.

If you respond to any situation in life by saying, “This shouldn’t be happening,” you will experience anger, anxiety, despair, and hopelessness, which are significantly worse than the situation itself. We have a choice: we can either resist change (which leads to a life-long struggle with everything and everyone around us), OR we can gently navigate through all the inevitable twists and turns.

Don't Play the Blame Game

Can our life's purpose be to do things on purpose? Can something as ubiquitous as shopping be made altruistic if there's meaning behind each purchase? I mean, we can't all save the rainforest first hand, for example, but what if the clothes we buy support an organization that does? At the end of the day, it's not about what we get but what we give, so let's give life meaning. If you find value in these commercial-free podcast episodes, my online posts, monthly emails, and discussion circles, then head over to Patreon.com/BuddhistBootCamp to show your support with just $1/month to keep the conversation going. Thank you for being a Soldier of Peace in the Army of Love.

Can our life's purpose be to do things on purpose? Can something as ubiquitous as shopping be made altruistic if there's meaning behind each purchase? I mean, we can't all save the rainforest first hand, for example, but what if the clothes we buy support an organization that does? At the end of the day, it's not about what we get but what we give, so let's give life meaning. If you find value in these commercial-free podcast episodes, my online posts, monthly emails, and discussion circles, then head over to <a href="https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2FPatreon.com%2FBuddhistBootCamp&amp;token=62ba7e-1-1573609361378" rel="nofollow noopener ugc" target="_blank">Patreon.com/BuddhistBootCamp</a> to show your support with just $1/month to keep the conversation going. Thank you for being a Soldier of Peace in the Army of Love.

The Meaning of Life

We can't see clearly because we often focus on how things used to be, how we want them to be, how we think they should be, anywhere other than focusing on how things actually are. It's 2020, where's your focus?

We can't see clearly because we often focus on how things used to be, how we want them to be, how we think they should be, anywhere other than focusing on how things actually are. It's 2020, where's your focus?

Focus on the present moment

What is your true nature? Are you living in line with it or with habitual tendencies that take you away from your true nature? Do we all have the same true nature? Lots of food for thought...

What is your true nature? Are you living in line with it or with habitual tendencies that take you away from your true nature? Do we all have the same true nature? Lots of food for thought...

True Nature

Talking yourself off the ledge by knowing your way home. If you find value in these commercial-free podcast episodes, my online posts, monthly emails, and discussion circles, then head over to https://Patreon.com/BuddhistBootCamp to show your support with just $1/month to keep the conversation going. Thank you for being a Soldier of Peace in the Army of Love.

Talking yourself off the ledge by knowing your way home. If you find value in these commercial-free podcast episodes, my online posts, monthly emails, and discussion circles, then head over to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=https%3A%2F%2FPatreon.com%2FBuddhistBootCamp&amp;event=video_description&amp;redir_token=XdBZm05jDxPVfuTS-cVohTf9SFp8MTU3MzA3NzY5OUAxNTcyOTkxMjk5&amp;v=uC-Ddon5wYY" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://Patreon.com/BuddhistBootCamp</a> to show your support with just $1/month to keep the conversation going. Thank you for being a Soldier of Peace in the Army of Love.

It's All In My Head

We either enjoy the ebb and flow of the tide, or we try to fight the ocean. Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional. 

We either enjoy the ebb and flow of the tide, or we try to fight the ocean. Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.

Perspective, Progress, Purpose

As Maya Angelou said, "I may be changed by what happens in my life, but I refuse to be reduced by it." We are never broken unless we believe we are. If you find value in this podcast and what to keep it commercial-free, it is available without ads thanks to listeners just like you who donate just $1/month through https://patreon.com/buddhistbootcamp. Thank you for being a Soldier of Peace in the Army of Love.

As Maya Angelou said, "I may be changed by what happens in my life, but I refuse to be reduced by it." We are never broken unless we believe we are. If you find value in this podcast and what to keep it commercial-free, it is available without ads thanks to listeners just like you who donate just $1/month through <a href="https://patreon.com/buddhistbootcamp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://patreon.com/buddhistbootcamp</a>. Thank you for being a Soldier of Peace in the Army of Love.

Never Broken

I used to rely on validation from other people in order to have a sense of self-worth, but that essentially meant I was in a co-dependent relationship with the entire world (think about it). Now my sense of value is up to me living a congruent life, striving to make sure that what I think, say, and do, are all in alignment. Give yourself the gift of true happiness, which isn’t contingent on outside validation, but on the goodness within. Namaste.

I used to rely on validation from other people in order to have a sense of self-worth, but that essentially meant I was in a co-dependent relationship with the entire world (think about it). Now my sense of value is up to me living a congruent life, striving to make sure that what I think, say, and do, are all in alignment. Give yourself the gift of true happiness, which isn’t contingent on outside validation, but on the goodness within. Namaste.

Validation

When you know the difference between feelings and emotions, you can pause between impulse and response to avoid expressing anger when what you're really feeling is hurt, for example. Don't let your mood affect your manners. Inner peace is in the present moment, everything else is an illusion.

When you know the difference between feelings and emotions, you can pause between impulse and response to avoid expressing anger when what you're really feeling is hurt, for example. Don't let your mood affect your manners. Inner peace is in the present moment, everything else is an illusion.

Emotion In Motion

Not forgiving is a form of self-imprisonment. Liberate yourself by doing away with the existing apology-and-forgiveness model that is similar to loan transactions in which one person is indebted to another, and get unstuck by taking the lesson from every experience, throwing away any grudge or resentment, and moving forward. 

Not forgiving is a form of self-imprisonment. Liberate yourself by doing away with the existing apology-and-forgiveness model that is similar to loan transactions in which one person is indebted to another, and get unstuck by taking the lesson from every experience, throwing away any grudge or resentment, and moving forward.

Forgiveness and Apologizing

I was recently interviewed by Steve Prussack on his Juice Guru Radio Show, and this is a recorded portion of that live conversation. If you know someone who might benefit from the message and invitation in Buddhist Boot Camp, go ahead and send them this audio clip as a good place to start, or enjoy it as a good reminder. 

I was recently interviewed by Steve Prussack on his Juice Guru Radio Show, and this is a recorded portion of that live conversation. If you know someone who might benefit from the message and invitation in Buddhist Boot Camp, go ahead and send them this audio clip as a good place to start, or enjoy it as a good reminder.

A Good Starting Point

Release your tight grip on things like identity wrapped in a job title or financial status, your car, home, or marital status. Keep stretching and expanding a flexible outlook as it ripples outward to encompass everything in the Universe. Turn to vapor, ice, liquid, and back again, without getting attached to any of it.

Release your tight grip on things like identity wrapped in a job title or financial status, your car, home, or marital status. Keep stretching and expanding a flexible outlook as it ripples outward to encompass everything in the Universe. Turn to vapor, ice, liquid, and back again, without getting attached to any of it.

Be Like Water

If your image (how people perceive you) is more important to you than your own values, you'd allow people to cross some boundaries (or not even set them in the first place), all to protect your image. Your actions convey your priorities, so where does your image rank compared to your core values?

If your image (how people perceive you) is more important to you than your own values, you'd allow people to cross some boundaries (or not even set them in the first place), all to protect your image. Your actions convey your priorities, so where does your image rank compared to your core values?

Setting Boundaries

Forgiveness is a gift that you give to yourself.

Forgiveness is a gift that you give to yourself.

Forgiveness

It's not about controlling your thoughts, it's about getting to a point where your thoughts don't control you.

It's not about controlling your thoughts, it's about getting to a point where your thoughts don't control you.

Don't Worry Be Mindful

Is it the load that breaks our backs or the way we carry it?

Is it the load that breaks our backs or the way we carry it?

Let Go Or Be Dragged

The best philosophy podcast episodes. Asking questions about how to live a better life, what it means to be and do good, to the idea of God. This topic includes episodes that bring about important questions that everyone should be asking themselves. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Practical Philosophy & How To Live

The best podcast episodes of anyone with an interesting story. With famous guests like Obama, LeBron James, Drake, Oprah Winfrey, Richard Branson, Michelle Obama, Serena Williams, to anyone who has a unique and interesting story to tell. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!