Handful of Leaves | Mindfulness & Buddhism in Everyday Life

In the vast ocean of teachings, how do we discern the true Dhamma from the false? 🌊 In a recent conversation with Uncle Vijaya, we explore essential ways to anchor ourselves in the Buddha's timeless wisdom by 📜 Staying Faithful to the Buddha’s Words and 🙏 Seeking Guidance from Wise Teachers. About the Speaker Vijaya Samarawickrama, fondly known as Uncle Vijaya, is a respected figure within...

Bro. Lim Kooi Fong shares the inspirational story behind NORBU, a pioneering Buddhist AI chatbot designed to promote mindfulness and spiritual growth through open dialogue. He was inspired by the Dalai Lama's call to spread the Nalanda tradition of Buddhist learning through open discourse. This led him to create NORBU, a pioneering AI chatbot that provides a safe, non-judgmental space for indi...

In our newest episode, we delve into the intricate journey of spiritual identity with our special guest, Ray Choo, director and producer of Waking Up 2050 🎬. From his personal experiences to the broader concepts of Buddhism, Ray sheds light on embracing the Buddhist identity as a commitment to the path of wisdom and compassion, and unravel the evolving perceptions of religion and spirituality in...

In this episode, Cheryl and Kai Xin reflect on their ever-evolving journey of deepening their Dhamma practice—a lifelong quest for true happiness! We speak about: 🧘‍♂️ How practising Dhamma is not just on our butts and cushions! 🌿 Kai Xin's journey from escaping reality to understanding reality 😇 Who is Cheryl's greatest Buddhist teacher? #DhammaJourney #DhammaPractice #SpiritualTransfo...

Google was known to be the "goldenboy" in the tech industry, and many NEVER saw the layoffs coming. How was it like for Gonzalo as one of the key decision makers for the layoffs in APAC, and to lead the team that was most impacted by the layoffs? In the ever-evolving realm of global business, leadership demands the ability to make challenging decisions. Gonzalo Ruiz Calavero, the Directo...

We speak to Greendot Singapore's CEO, Yong Hong on growth, balance and purpose. Discover Green Dot's rise from a veggie stall to a beloved meat-free empire and we cover personal learnings, such as 🫡Personal growth: Yong Hong's vegetarian transformation. ⏳ Patience for success: Valuable long-term insights. ⚖️ Balanced living: The four pillars of purposeful life. 🧠 Mental wellness: Pr...

🌟 Discover the Power of Sense Restraint: Your Path to Inner Peace and Spiritual Liberation! 🌟 Are you feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of modern life? PJ and Cheryl unveil the secrets of sense restraint – a revolutionary concept that promises harmony and balance in a distracted world. Through mindfulness and wisdom, unlock true freedom and happiness, navigating life's challenges with grace a...

About Amy Edelstein:  IPPY-award winner and #1 Amazon bestselling author  Begun her own meditation practice in 1978, spent four decades practicing, studying, researching, writing about Founder of Inner Strength Education, which brings mindfulness, systems thinking, and social-emotional tools to under-resourced schools, training more than 17,000 teens in Philadelphia public high schools.&...

🍵 Join us in this episode as we spill the tea with HOL Co-Founders, Heng Xuan and Kai Xin! 🤝 Learn how this Dhammatic Duo navigate disappointment and conflict in their collaboration, emphasizing open communication and shared commitment. 💬 Gain valuable insights from the co-founders as they unveil and reflect on their insecurities and vulnerabilities as leaders. 🧘‍♂️ Discover the mindfulness pr...

Resilient. Strong. Got their sh*t together. Are these words used to describe you? But deep down, do you struggle with embracing vulnerability, fearing you'll become a burden, to even the closest around you?" She was the epitome of success—thriving in the corporate world, a respected Nominated MP, and happily married. Yet, life had its own plans and threw her into a “colossal collapse” of...

In episode 28, we speak to the Group CEO of Etonhouse International Holdings - Singapore, Ng Yi-Xian who oversees schools from infant care to high school in 11 countries across 120 campuses. We discuss how mindfulness has changed his life, shaped his leadership and a lot more:  🧘🏻How mindfulness supported him in the toughest time in his career 🤟🏻The idea of stupid grit 👔How he balances advoca...

🧘‍♂️ In this episode, Phimol and Cheryl candidly share their experiences navigating familial conflicts and healing generational wounds in pursuit of inner peace through the practice of mindfulness, loving-kindness, and wise reflection.  💖 Explore practical advice and valuable insights on fostering family harmony and creating lighter, more open connections with your loved ones.  📜 Discover the B...

Ever wondered about the soothing voice behind “The Chant of Metta” or “Heart Sutra” often heard at Buddhist events? 🎵 In this episode, we get up close and personal for the first time with Imee Ooi, the talent behind many well-known and internationally acclaimed Buddhist songs. Discover how her soundscapes of serenity have opened Dhamma doors for people across borders and cultures! 🕊️ Gain insight...

What do taxes, death and kamma have in common? 🤔 You can't escape them!! Join us in this inspiring episode with Uncle Vijaya who shares candidly about his learnings as a practitioner for 84 years and how the Buddha's teachings guide him through the journey of life, and death. #Kamma #Intention #Action #Death #Life #Gratitude #Buddhism #Dhamma #LifeLessons #WellBeing #InnerPeace #PresentMo...

Join us for an enlightening journey with HOL's co-founders, Heng Xuan and Kai Xin, as they evolve from nominal Buddhists into a passionate Dhamma-tic Duo.  🌱 Discover practical Buddhist wisdom for a happier life, gain momentum on your personal journey, and delve into fun facts about the HOL team.  ⚖️ Learn how to balance Dhamma service and self-care for a sustainable path, set priorities, and...

In Episode 34, 🎙 Sis Ching Wi shares her journey of leading with mental illness. She highlights the importance of boundaries, compassion, and nurturing potential in leadership roles. Tune in for insights on authentic connection, equanimity, and self-compassion, and her heartfelt encouragement for those silently battling their mental health. 🌟💪 #Leadership #MentalHealth 🧠 Transcript: https://bit...

Dive deep into the riveting narrative of personal transformation in this podcast episode, as we explore the gripping story of conquering addiction with the power of mindfulness and wisdom. 🌟 Discover the secrets to sustainable joy and the art of harnessing higher values to triumph over life's challenges. Join us on this transformative journey of self-discovery and compassion. 🎙️ #AddictionRec...

Have you ever wondered why do people offer food in ghost month? Can ghosts eat them? Join our lovely podcast co-hosts Kai Xin and Cheryl on an engaging chat exploring Buddhism's take on the origins of ghost month, ghostly encounters and hell. To make this episode even more terrifying or interesting (depending on whether you are a scaredy cat like Cheryl or a brave soul like Kai Xin), we are al...

It's easy to condemn the actors as 'selfish', or 'stupid' to throw everything away, including their careers, reputation and one can only imagine the negative consequences on their families and spouses. What is really going on in the mind of people who have affairs? In the latest episode, we speak to Jason*, who has both been someone who cheated on as well as someone who was che...

Are you someone who constantly seeks to go above and beyond, setting high standards for yourself? Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of overachievers with Ven Damcho and explore the intricate dynamics that drive their relentless pursuit of success. 🔍 Explore the hidden manifestations of overachieving and learn how to recognise them. 💪 Harness pain as a catalyst for success and avoid...

In this fire-round episode, Ven Damcho will answer 5 top-rated questions you asked on Telegram about masturbation, lust, kinks and more! Join our Telegram Handful of Leaves to be part of the conversation! ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Venerable Thubten Damcho is a Buddhist nun residing at Sravasti Abbey, one of the first Tibetan Buddhist training monasteries in the United States. Born and raised in Singapore,...

"Sex" and "the Buddhist." Two words you rarely hear in a sentence! Buddhism is always associated with meditating or chanting and "purity." While that is an important path of the practice, let's not forget the human behind the Buddhist, where our sexuality, sexual relations and desires can play a big part of our lives as we navigate sometimes messy and chaotic adul...

Forget the avengers. Hiri & Otappa are taught to be the guardians of the world. In this episode, learn from Sis Miyen about Hiri & Otappa: simply translated as **wise** fear and shame. 🔸How can Hiri & Otappa lead us to peace? 🔸Common misconceptions about these two words. And many more! ABOUT OUR GUEST: Low Mi Yen, a clinical psychologist and one of Malaysia’s foremost proponents of t...

What do you say to a loved one who is diagnosed with cancer? What would you do if you were diagnosed with cancer? Siew Lin shares her journey of battling cancer and leading a fulfilling life. Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-pod-ep25 Timestamp: (00:00): What happened before the recording (02:49): Introduction, how it all started (07:56): The sudden jump from stage 0 to stage 4 (10:06): Coming to acc...

About our guest Kar Fei Kar Fei coaches and grows individuals and executives into high performers in life. His life is obsessed with this question,  “How can we be the best version of ourselves, and be happy and fulfilled in our lives?“ . He is part of the  Hive Global Leadership Program (a community of leaders and entrepreneurs) and the  Global Shapers Community by t...