How to overcome resistance in creative work
Buddhability2 Jul 2021

How to overcome resistance in creative work

Today we’re discussing creative work, but the lessons apply to virtually anything in your life that brings out feelings of resistance, fear or self-doubt.


Our guest is Monica Ong, a Connecticut-based visual poet and designer. She’s been practicing Buddhism ever since discovering it on study abroad in high school and our conversation today is filled with practical insights on how to navigate a creative career as a Buddhist.


Monica’s own story is about identity and paving her own way as a visual poet. In 2015, her book, Silent Anatomies, was selected by U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo as the winner of the Kore Press First Book Award in poetry.


On this episode, she shares about her journey as a Buddhist and a creative, as well as how chanting helped her navigate the pandemic, when she struggled deeply with sleep issues and health.


Key takeaway: Chanting and taking small, consistent steps to tackle our self-doubt can help us create the life and work we are proudest of, no matter what others might think.

CHEAT SHEET


1:32 Introduction to Monica's work

2:44 How she became a visual poet

6:53 When and why she started practicing Buddhism

11:08 How chanting impacted her creative work and path

15:36 Dealing with insomnia during the pandemic

23:55 How she has challenged self-doubt and resistance

33:18 Balancing work, art and family all at once

40:35 Navigating the desire for validation as an artist

47:47 Her favorite Buddhist teaching

50:03 What she's working on now, and a poem about Vera Rubin

Note: In the poem about Vera Rubin that Monica reads at the end of the show, she refers to an excerpt from this article.

Episoder(243)

Trailer: What is enlightenment?

Trailer: What is enlightenment?

Instead of an episode this week, we have an announcement! Based on your requests, we just published a video explainer on enlightenment. Find it on Buddhability's YouTube or Instagram, or at this link.

16 Apr 20211min

How to turn your circumstances into your purpose

How to turn your circumstances into your purpose

Today’s episode is about a key Buddhist concept, which teaches that where you are right now is exactly the place you need to be to fulfill your purpose, as long as you're willing to dig deep into your...

9 Apr 202147min

How to stop comparing yourself to others

How to stop comparing yourself to others

Today we are discussing a question that comes up a lot: How do I stop comparing myself to other people? It can be a real struggle, especially if you feel like the people around you are better or farth...

3 Apr 202133min

Join Us Friday for a Buddhability Community Talk!

Join Us Friday for a Buddhability Community Talk!

Appreciate the Buddhability content but want to hear from people actually practicing Buddhism? We teamed up with members of our Buddhist community to present a new online series hosted by Buddhability...

24 Mar 20211min

Finding happiness while living with chronic illness

Finding happiness while living with chronic illness

On this episode, we discuss living with chronic health challenges, be it physical or mental health. Jenny Ohrstrom, who has been seeking treatment for Lyme disease for nearly 8 years, shares her story...

19 Mar 202135min

Being new parents (in a pandemic)

Being new parents (in a pandemic)

Today we are talking about being new parents, which is a topic that's been requested by many listeners. Savini and Piper, college sweethearts from India who moved to New York City in their 20’s, share...

12 Mar 202154min

Buddhist Friends for Life (Part 2)

Buddhist Friends for Life (Part 2)

We are back with part 2 of last week’s episode, which is all about the Buddhist community. In the SGI we meet in local neighborhood groups (these days over Zoom) to figure out how to apply Buddhism to...

3 Mar 202147min

Buddhist Friends for Life (Part 1) #struggleictory

Buddhist Friends for Life (Part 1) #struggleictory

We have a two-part episode for you today, all about the Buddhist community. In the SGI we meet in local neighborhood groups (these days over zoom) to figure out how to apply Buddhism to our daily live...

27 Feb 202141min

Populært innen Religion og åndelighet

lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
rss-nesten-hele-uka-med-lepperod
rss-lilli-isabelle
sektledere
sektpodden-2
rss-espen-er-kristen
rss-det-uforklarlige-med-victoria-skau
andelig-pafyll-hver-tirsdag
rss-uhoytidelig-spirituell-healer-susanne-og-erik-ertsland-askvik
rss-den-andre-siden
rss-paradigmepodden
dokka
ole-martin-og-einar-leser-bibelen
rss-pust-for-livet
rss-grenselos-spiritualitet
rss-normalt-paranormalt
rss-losrevet
gry-hammer-podcast
rss-kristen-norge
bibelen-pa-podkast