From SGIUSA, I'm Cassidy Bradford, and this is bootability.

The weekly series where I talk with Buddhists from all walks of life about the power we each have to change our lives and the world around us.

Imagination and hope are powerful tools.

Moments of triumph for humanity were only dreams until they happened.

As we imagine a possible brighter future, we asked all of you to share the scientific discovery you'd love to see.

The top two responses were in the fields of medicine and climate. Many of you said

you'd like to see cures for all forms of cancer. Others want to see solutions to the many

climate problems facing us. One listener even offered specific dreams, like a way to clean up the oceans

of plastic and break down trash. For many of us, the answer to this

question might come from some personal knowledge or experience. Maybe we've had a loved

one experience illness or studied the impacts of climate change. Today's guest, Nikita Agarwal

of Chicago, saw a problem facing the environment and reflected on a way she could

contribute to its solution. In our conversation, she shares how chanting Namyo Hōdenge

Kiel helped her learn to appreciate feedback and see that she's capable of anything she puts her mind

to.

Hello everyone. My name is Nikita Akroval and I'm from Chicago. I'm 18 years old and a rising first year at MIT. Thank you so much, Cassidy, for having me on the Budability podcast. I'm excited

to be here to share my story with you all. Yay. I'm so happy

that you're here. And our little conversation before just checking in, I felt like so excited

for you. And you're so bright and joyful. And it's great to have somebody on the podcast who's

so young, you know, just starting college, just finished high school,

and who's had Buddhism in their life for, you know, a while. So maybe just so that we can get to know you,

you can tell us a little bit about yourself and how you first started practicing Buddhism.

...