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Living with optimism

Living with optimism

A teaching on November 19, 2004, at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, Singapore.

A positive mind in a not-so-positive world

  • Appreciating the things going well in life
  • Focusing on the process instead of on the result

Living with optimism 01 (download)

Establish a clear and positive goal

  • Not getting bogged down with unrealistic expectations
  • Thinking long-term
  • Considering that what happens could be better than what we plan

Living with optimism 02 (download)

Become constructive

  • Not worrying
  • Drawing inspiration from those who came before us
  • Knowing that hardships become easier and that challenges can help us grow

Living with optimism 03 (download)

Review, questions and answers

  • Review of the eight points
  • Questions and answers
    • Developing Buddhist music
    • Helping grieving loved ones
    • Personal experience with discovering Buddhism

Living with optimism 04 (download)

Venerable Thubten Chodron

Venerable Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings. She was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 1977 by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche in Dharamsala, India, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan. Read her full bio.