The Modern Buddhism Podcast

Buddhist teacher Kadam Morten Clausen talks with Agnes about his 30 years of living and teaching in the Big Apple: the challenges of modern city life and what they've taught him, and his experience of decades of practising meditation and mindfulness in New York City.

Morten is the National Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition for the Eastern United States and regularly teaches all around the world; he is the resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Center New York City: https://meditationinnewyork.org

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The guests of these podcasts are practising Buddhists who meditate...

In this episode, Adam is joined by Marlise Anthonioz, who discusses openly how her meditation practice has taken her from a place of depression and hopelessness to a joyful optimism, enabling her to live a full and happy life. She discusses how family life was causing her to feel unhappy and unfulfilled and how her Buddhist meditation practice transformed her experience. A desire to understand the deeper meaning of life led her to search and question others. She discovered that meditation was the pathway through which she could open her heart to truly love her partner and be a...

Kadam Morten Clausen talks about how our limited or negative view of ourself is the basis for low self esteem. Then how we can change our view of what the self is and through this develop a new way of identifying ourself that gives authentic higher self esteem and we can learn to be happy with ourself.

In today’s podcast, Kadam Morten talks about a very important topic—the way we view ourselves and how this view shapes our self-esteem. It's something that many of us struggle with: the negative self-talk, the limiting beli...

Our thoughts don't define our reality, yet we often buy into negative beliefs about ourselves, leading to a distorted self-image. In this podcast, Gen Jigme explores how meditation can help us quiet the negative inner voice and cultivate a more positive understanding of ourselves. While we acknowledge our flaws, we also recognize our growth and appreciate the goodness within us. He guides us through various ways of thinking that can help free us from feelings of isolation and foster a healthier, more compassionate self-image.

Book reference. How to Transform your Life by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. https://kadampa...

Gen Kelsang Rabten joins Adam on the podcast for a wide ranging discussion of the various stages of meditation from the very first steps to how to reach the highest levels. Insights are shared and explored that will help us access our inner strength and stillness; show us how we can use meditation to diffuse negative thought patterns in our mind and replace them with healthy positive alternatives; and the special techniques advanced meditators use to create the ideal mental environment for deeply effective meditation are revealed. Something for everyone interested in meditation from complete beginners to the most...

In this illuminating episode, Buddhist Meditation Teacher Kadam Rebecca challenges conventional wisdom about work-life balance. Rather than focusing on time management, she reveals how true equilibrium stems from our inner state of mind. Alongside fellow Teacher and host Kadam Adam, they explores how everyday challenges—especially difficult people—can become powerful catalysts for spiritual and personal transformation. They also dive into how developing a light, positive mindset can help us become a powerful force in the world. It’s not our job that defines us—it’s the inner work we do, so learn how keeping a peaceful heart and good i...

In this episode, Kadam Adam is with Buddhist nun Gen Demo for a thought-provoking discussion on the true nature of compassion. Together, they explore how genuine compassion isn’t about feeling sorry for ourselves or others, but rather a mindset that protects and uplifts us, helping us to navigate life with clarity and kindness. They look at the idea that compassion, when understood correctly, empowers rather than burdens us, bringing emotional resilience and peace. Throughout the conversation, Gen Demo shares insightful stories from everyday life that beautifully illustrate how compassion can be a transformative force in our relationships and da...

In this episode, we hear the inspiring journey of Gen Lingpur, a Buddhist nun whose life took an unexpected turn after a routine medical check-up. For years, she thrived in her career and enjoyed a fulfilling life. But everything changed when she was diagnosed with cancer. Faced with fear and uncertainty, she began searching for deeper answers to make sense of her situation.It was during this time of searching that Gen Lingpur discovered Kadampa Buddhism. The teachings offered the wisdom she had been looking for—giving her a profound understanding of suffering, impermanence, and the true nature of li...

Entrepreneur, Author, and Meditation Practitioner Len Foley shares invaluable insights into how to succeed in work and relationships using meditation as a powerful tool.

An Abridged version of this conversation is available in video format on Youtube 0:00 - Introduction Host welcomes Len and introduces the topic of success, meditation, and balancing a busy life. 0:13 - Len's Background Len shares his journey as a business owner, author, and meditation/Buddhism teacher. 0:57 - The Search for Meaning Len reflects on his early struggles, the pursuit of financial success, and the realization that money alone couldn’t fill a deeper vo...

In this episode, host Agnes sits down with Kelsang Sama, a Buddhist nun, to delve into the deeper concepts of freedom and personal transformation. Together, they explore the difference between cutting ties with the external world and cultivating true inner freedom. While society often emphasizes the importance of shedding external constraints—such as material possessions, relationships, or status—Kelsang Sama emphasizes that genuine freedom lies in mastering one’s inner world and breaking free from self-imposed mental limitations. Her story is one of self-discovery, where the external world’s expectations were set aside in favor of exploring deeper, more authenti...

In this episode, we sit down with Gen Thekchen, a Buddhist monk who was invited to teach meditation to prisoners in Canada. He shares his remarkable journey of teaching controlling the mind behind bars, revealing how the inmates’ surprising resilience and unwavering determination to master their minds in such a tough environment inspired him. Tune in as Gen Thekchen reflects on the profound lessons he learned from the very people society often overlooks. Book references How to Transform Your Life ~ https://kadampa.org/books/free-ebook-download-howtotyl The New Eight Steps to Happiness ~ https://tharpa.com/uk/the-new-eight-steps-to-happiness Gen Thekchen is th...

Gen Gomlam returns to the podcast for a deeply personal and moving conversation about how to heal and find peace after personal tragedy, addressing the feelings of grief, guilt, anger and shame that often arise in the aftermath and how to work through them and find healing.

** Trigger warning: this episode includes discussion of suicide and suicidal ideation. Your discretion is advised. **

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Book references:

How to Solve Our Human Problems

Joyful Path of Good Fortune 

Living Meaningfully Dying J...

In this special episode, guest host Buddhist monk Gen Kelsang Rabten is in conversation with astrophysicist and lay Buddhist teacher Kadam Peter Kurczynski.

Their wide ranging discussion touches on the common points between science and spirituality - for example, how discoveries in quantum physics correlate to profound Buddhist teachings on the nature of reality - but also how meditation can open us to experiences completely beyond the reach of the physical sciences.

Kadam Peter has an extensive background in science as a post doctorate student, researcher and university teacher and currently works as the chief...

Happy New Year Everyone! While we continue our break from our usual conversation episodes, please enjoy Kadam Adam briefly explaining and then guiding a meditation on how our life is precious, rare and meaningful. This beautiful contemplation energizes us and inspires us to seize the very essence of each day - an excellent way to start the new year. Full epsiodes resume next week.

While we take a brief break over the festive season, please enjoy this bonus episode: a beautiful guided meditation on love and kindness called equalizing self with others.

Full conversation episodes will resume in mid January, but check in again next week for another guided meditation.

We live in a world that constantly tells us we need to do more, be more, and achieve more. We set insanely high standards for ourselves, pushing to be successful in every area of life—yet, even when we reach those goals, we're left feeling like it’s still not enough. The truth is, we’re never truly satisfied. We’re always chasing the next milestone, believing we have to be better to be happy. But this constant pressure, this endless pursuit of perfection, is rooted in a disproportionate sense of self-importance. It’s a mindset that makes true fulfillmen...

In this episode, guest host Agnes Bednarczyk is joined by Buddhist monk Gen Doryning to explore the deep sense of searching many young people feel in today's world. Surrounded by uncertainty and overwhelmed by modern challenges, many struggle to find meaning and direction through traditional paths. When asked where one can look for purpose, Gen Doryning offers gentle yet powerful guidance, suggesting simple, transformative changes that anyone can make to cultivate a sense of direction and a deep, lasting purpose each day. His inspiring words remind us that small steps can lead to profound shifts, helping us rediscover our...

Meditation is a popular method to achieve a calm, peaceful state of mind. In this podcast, International meditation teacher, Kadam Morten Clausen, explains how meditation is so much more than just breathing meditation and how you can begin to find answers to the big questions in your life. He explains how Buddha taught meditation as a way to achieve your true potential and life purpose. He explains how to use meditation to increase your inner wisdom and break free from limiting ways of looking at yourself and the world. An excellent discussion revealing how to go deeper in meditation...

In this Podcast Gen Demo, a Buddhist nun who is dealing with the chronic disease of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), explains how she is learning to let go of worry and accept her illness. Worrying makes everything worse and has a big effect on health. Gen Demo emphasizes how debilitating worry is in her life and how important it is to relax into the uncertainty of her condition and the uncertainty of the future. Worrying makes everything worse and has a big effect on health. She is learning to be gentle and tries to make the most of all situations...

In this episode, Kadam Adam and Buddhist monk Gen Doryning discuss how conflict can become a pivotal time for achieving real success. They both share relatable stories of conflict that helped them to change their reactions and eventually to transform difficult relationships into ones that made them better people. Gen Doryning explains how easy it is for conflict to make us blind to the other person, only seeing them through our own painful feelings. They discuss how having the confidence to view difficult people in a different light, not only makes it possible to change the situation but also...

Anxiety is a modern-day epidemic. In this podcast, Buddhist monk, Gen Kelsang Rabten, uses his own experience of anxiety to explain how to deal with this debilitating habit of mind by applying specific, powerful meditation techniques. He describes how anxious thoughts are tricks our mind plays on us and how, by beginning to first identify these thoughts and not believe them, we can dial the intensity of our anxiety right back. He explains one fascinating meditation that Buddha explained as being the best meditation to combat anxiety - and it is not what you would expect! A fascinating and...

In this podcast, Miri (Mirja Renner) discusses how to transform chronic pain. Dealing with chronic pain herself Miri explains an extraordinary and ancient meditation practice that has helped her deal with relentless pain. She has been able to use this practice to not shut down, and become isolated in her illness but has been able instead to feel connected to others and at the same time reduce her own physical and mental suffering. A very powerful conversation giving much hope and solace to anyone who is struggling with chronic illness to see a way forward to a rich and...

In this podcast Gen Menla, a Buddhist monk who has come from becoming a caregiver to his Mother shares what he has learnt from this. He discusses how being a full-time caregiver can be hard, but also a tremendous journey of learning and personal development. Looking at the importance of taking care of yourself, the caregiver, he explains four simple things his teacher recommends for everyone to ensure they can continue to have the energy to be of benefit to others without burnout. For those who have found themselves experiencing frustration, exhaustion, and compassion fatigue, this is an insightful...

In today's episode, Gen Gomlam delves into the profound and often uncharted territory of death and dying. Having worked as a Nurse for over 30 years she has experience of helping others in the final stages of life, and more recently faced up to the possibility of her own death. As a Buddhist nun she shares insights into what actually happens when we die and how that can affect our life in a positive way. In a society that frequently shies away from discussions about mortality, it is refreshing to bring these essential conversations to the forefront. 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Exploring Hospice...