Winning Over Perfectionism

Buddhability

SGI-USA

Health & Fitness, Self-help, Self-care, Religion & Spirituality, Mental Health, Buddhism

4.9 • 603 Ratings

🗓️ 26 April 2024

⏱️ 58 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Buddhism teaches us that our lives are precious just as they are. This can be hard to believe if we struggle with self-criticism and strive for flawlessness. Fortunately, each time we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we tap into our limitless wisdom, courage, and compassion and challenge our inner critic head-on.

Today, Clark Harrell, of Seattle, Washington, shares how fighting perfectionism helped him enjoy his Buddhist practice, musical pursuits and everyday life.

References:

Discussions on Youth, p. 171

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, p. 102

Cheat Sheet:

10:10 Clark discovers Buddhism through jazz

15:45 First steps in Buddhist practice

25:21 Placing self-worth in achievements

29:43 Getting support from his Buddhist community

41:09 Chanting without self-criticism

54:18 Community is the key to never giving up

Transcript

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0:00.0	From SGI USA, I'm Cassidy Bradford and this is Budability.
0:08.7	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.
0:24.6	Buddhism is about living full lives. One way we might do that is to take a step back and sit with appreciation.
0:30.6	We can even chant Namyo Hōrengeykyo to perceive the interconnection of all life.
0:35.6	Buddhist philosopher Daisaku Akeda once said,
0:38.3	We have to live, we work, we eat, we grow old.
0:43.3	Our lives are a constant repetition of little deeds.
0:47.3	Against that backdrop, we progress.
0:50.3	We seek a more fully human existence.
0:53.3	We desire to make a flower bloom. From that feeling, culture and art are born. Life is painful. It has thorns, like the stem of a rose. Culture and art are the roses that bloom on that stem. The flower is yourself, your humanity. Art is the liberation
1:14.2	of the humanity within you. So making that humanity bloom within yourself, we asked you all to
1:22.3	share songs with the Buddhist message. A common theme was perseverance and using your problems as opportunities.
1:30.1	We got Rise Up by Andrea Day.
1:33.1	It's the Climb by Miley Cyrus and On by BTS.
1:38.3	And of course, many of you shared songs that are just about pure joy.
1:43.7	We heard Happy by Farrell Williams and Golden by Jill Scott.
1:48.9	And whether a song has a clear Buddhist message or not, all music can totally connect
1:54.0	us to our shared humanity.
1:56.8	Today's guest, Clark Harrell of Seattle, Washington, found Buddhism through his passion for music.
2:02.6	In our conversation, we dig into how he grappled with perfectionism and self-worth in his music,
2:08.5	relationships, and Buddhist practice.
2:13.5	My name is Clark Horel. I live in Seattle, Washington. I am 30 years old, and I am currently an administrator at an elementary school.
	...

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