Buddhism and the science of happiness – Chapter 7

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May 28th, 2011

Here we are again for another episode of A Buddhist Podcast! On tonights packed show we begin with the wonderful William Woollard reading chapter 7 from his book, Buddhism and the science of happiness. The book is available on Amazon and is in English, Italian and Spanish and probably many more languages in the future.
Dash and Donna from Sacramento join us in our kitchen for the shout outs and for an amazing experience from Stevie Knight.
Tonights music again comes from the great folks at Mevio.com. We play two older tracks tonight, Title and Registration by Deathcab for Cutie and the very talented Matthew Ebel sings I Know Your There..
If you want a shout out on the show, let us know by clicking the link on the left hand side of our website “Shoutouts”, or you can send us a note if you have the iPhone, IPad or Android app for A Buddhist Podcast. If you have a great experience of practicing this Buddhism that you would be happy for us to read on the show, you can click the link to submit your experiences on the site!
Thank you so much for continuing to listen, have a wonderful week, stay safe and look after yourself and everyone around you.

12 Comments »

  1. One of the best chapters so far I think. Thanks William for reading this to us all 🙂 Also, what a touching experience from Stevie – Some of the greatest sacrifices we make may not be “world altering” in themselves, but collectively we are bringing evidence of the law to everyone around us, making the world slightly brighter and happier – one step at a time.

    Comment by Steve — May 29, 2011 @ 8:46 pm

  2. Yes, a great chapter – really enjoyable to listen to – and the Byron poem was on the button as well.
    Congrats to all (inc Dash and Donna)on yet another wonderful show.

    Comment by Alan — June 1, 2011 @ 6:58 am

  3. Brilliant, does anyone have any opinion on a possible Meta-theory of Buddhism? Possible involving “Metta”? 🙂

    Comment by thomas — June 1, 2011 @ 6:46 pm

  4. Thank you Karen and Jason for inviting Dash and me to join you in support of the podcast. Jason, you put together a really fine episode this time, it was fun recording again with both of you. I especially appreciate all listeners from around the world–thank all of you for seeking out Nichiren’s Buddhism practiced correctly. Thanks too for the opportunity to thank William in person for his hard work and generosity to give voice to Nichiren’s gift to all humans, explore it thoroughly from a Western perspective, and work with the SGI-USA staff to bring his books to SGI-USA bookstores. Thank you also for the time with William and Stevie spent in in-depth conversation after recording. Stevie’s experience, and her life itself, were transformative for me–I hope for many listeners as well; if the listener’s question wasn’t answered, I hope we will all find a way to support her grieving friend to grasp the hope of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. I pray, as well, that it comes through to all listeners, the bond that the Jarretts and each participant have with Ikeda Sensei and our precious vehicle for peace and happiness, the Soka Gakkai International. It was a huge honor to later attend an SGI-UK event at Taplow Court: Gohonzon bestowal to 2 dozen happy new members, something that happens every month. SGI-UK grows in leaps and bounds because of the effective compassion its members bring into their environment. This podcast is just one family’s personal effort to bring the correct practice of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo into seeking lives worldwide so that together we can transform our human collective karma from misery to happiness. I pray that I’ll always have such courage to bring Nam Myoho Renge Kyo into the lives of the people I love.

    Comment by Donna — June 8, 2011 @ 3:35 pm

  5. Hi Jason and Karen. Thanks for another fabulous episode of the podcast and William’s book. Listening to Stevie brought tears to my eyes. My mom has Alzheimer’s and it’s been very very difficult to watch her and deal with her issues. Stevie gave me encouragement. Can’t wait to listen another time (I always listen at least twice!)
    I’m still waiting on William’s book to come out on a kindle edition!

    Comment by Lois Kubota — June 8, 2011 @ 4:46 pm

  6. I feel as though I am losing my faith. Some presence feels absent. I believe this is normal because I am normal and it is happening. I will listen and chant and hope.

    Comment by bob allen — June 9, 2011 @ 9:49 pm

  7. Hi Guys,
    Just wanted to say thank you – what an awesome show! William’s writings I sometimes struggle with, (his voice trances me out!) but this chapter is absolutely fabulous. I’ve been listening to it over and over again. (And now both of his books are on my birthday-wish list!)

    And then Stevie’s story – well, I was listening at work and I was in tears. It really resonated with me. Stevie, thank you for sharing your story, and Jason and Karen – thank you for sharing it too.

    There are some of your episodes that I keep listening to over and over again. “The drum at the gates of thunder” is one – emblazoned in my memory as this was the first podcast of yours that I listened to.

    Thank you so much for this show.
    Zoe x

    Comment by Zoe — June 11, 2011 @ 10:07 am

  8. Hello there, I have been very touched by the messages about my experience on the website
    and the people that have taken the time to tell me in person! Thank you once again to the
    truly amazing Jarretts for helping us to connect our lives and challenges with other people’s!

    Comment by Stevie Knight — June 18, 2011 @ 3:20 pm

  9. Hello Jason and Karen,
    Once again it was a great broadcast. Woollard’s reading of Chapter 7 was a revelation, and I promised myself to order the book next month for my birthday, and I can’t wait to get it in my eager hands. Listening to the reading of the book didn’t seem like a substitute for physically having the book. It seemed like the more William reads, the more anxious I am to have that book in my two hands, re-reading and underlining great ideas.
    Stevie Knight’s story was important for me, because I am now just beginning care for an elderly family member, and I also saw it as something that hampered me from getting ‘ out there’ to my everyday rhythm of ‘doing important things to help people’. Listening to her beautiful story has allowed me to pause and realize that this situation is in my path for an important reason and there are lessons to learn from it – especially if my first reaction to it is resenting it and whining about it. I’m going to need to chant to be more mindful and open to the blessing of it.
    In the end, Stevie is actually helping a lot of people now , just because so many have listened – and will listen – to her story on your podcast and be inspired. This causes a ripple effect to the people around the listeners as well. (Positive psychologists and scientists can now back that fact up. As if we needed it!) Stevie Knight can be proud.
    Best wishes to all of you from Amsterdam,
    Deborah Carter

    Comment by Deborah Carter — June 21, 2011 @ 5:47 pm

  10. Just a note of encouragement for Bob Allen. You’re not losing your faith Bob. That “lack of presence” is just a marker in your existence telling you to change up a gear. Keep chanting – an hour, two hours a day and make a determination to focus away from yourself and to go out and help someone else. Make a cause. How do I know this? You showed me yourself by opening your heart. It’s what we must all do.

    Comment by Ken George — August 19, 2011 @ 4:13 am

  11. I was just wondering why when I tried to download this chapter 7 of Buddhist and the Science of Happiness direct me to another website which only say ok? It doesn’t download. Please check it out.

    Thank You and you both are doing a such a wonderful job!

    Comment by Maria Princivil — March 22, 2012 @ 6:00 am

  12. Hi Maria, thank you so much for your comment. We can’t seem to replicate the problem at our end. When you click the link it will take you to the Libsyn host page where you should be able to download the file. The page is normally black with a player in the middle, is this what you are seeing?
    Thank you for your kind words.

    Comment by jason — April 1, 2012 @ 1:29 pm

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