The Monk That Will Change Your Future - 5 Ways We All Waste Our Life Away... | Haemin Sunim

Rangan Chatterjee

Sep 18, 2024

Episode description

Download my FREE Breathing Guide HERE: http://bit.ly/3WbGHUw

Find out about the Three Question Journal here https://bit.ly/3Ha4L5c

Download my FREE Habit Change Guide HERE: http://bit.ly/3QKGGFW

What if the key to happiness and fulfilment was not changing our external circumstances but learning to appreciate and understand our inner world? This powerful idea is at the heart of this week's conversation with Buddhist monk and author Haemin Sunim.

Haemin is a Zen Buddhist teacher and the author of two Sunday Times bestselling books, including his very latest, the beautiful: ‘When Things Don’t Go Your Way: Zen Wisdom for Difficult Times.’

Haemin was born in South Korea, educated at Berkeley, Harvard, and Princeton, and received formal monastic training in Korea. When not travelling to share his teachings, he resides in Seoul, where he founded the Dharma Illumination Zen Center, offering meditation retreats and counselling programs.

We begin our conversation exploring the tension between personal aspirations and societal expectations, what Haemin calls the "me of me" versus the "me of others." This internal conflict, he believes, is at the root of much of our stress and unhappiness.

We also discuss the importance of slowing down and being present, and how, in our rush to achieve and reach our goals, we can often miss the beauty and richness of our current experiences. With that in mind, Haemin shares some practical tips for mindfulness, that can help us reconnect with ourselves and the world around us.

A key theme in this conversation is the interconnected nature of all things. Haemin explains how adopting this worldview can profoundly affect our happiness and sense of purpose. We also discuss the power of listening, the importance of solitude, and the crucially important notion that we always have a choice in how we interpret and respond to life's challenges. And, even when things don't go our way, there's always an opportunity for growth and unexpected joy.

This is a beautiful conversation, full of deep and practical insights that I’m sure will help you find greater peace, purpose and contentment.

#feelbetterlivemore
-----

Connect with Haemin:
https://www.haeminsunim.com/
https://www.instagram.com/haemin_sunim
https://twitter.com/haeminsunim

Haemin’s books:
When Things Don’t Go Your Way: Zen Wisdom for Difficult Times
US: https://amzn.to/3U9h2xu
UK: https://amzn.to/4epZvsB
Love for Imperfect Things: A Buddhist monk's guide to mindfulness and resisting the urge to strive for perfectionism
US: https://amzn.to/4h7M5nu
UK: https://amzn.to/3XLf2Oc
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: Bring calm to your life with the ultimate mindfulness guide from a Buddhist monk
US: https://amzn.to/3YpOylU
UK: https://amzn.to/3Xsfkbp

#feelbetterlivemore #feelbetterlivemorepodcast

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Read FEEL GREAT LOSE WEIGHT. US & Canada https://amzn.to/2GWPgls, UK https://amzn.to/2W6bsOE
Order FEEL BETTER IN 5. US & Canada https://amzn.to/2EB2oM0, UK https://amzn.to/2G0XK7l
Read THE STRESS SOLUTION https://amzn.to/2MZ8u8h
Order THE 4 PILLAR PLAN available via http://amzn.to/2yGfpuB Or the US version is HOW TO MAKE DISEASE DISAPPEAR https://amzn.to/2Gj1YEL
-----
Listen to all podcast episodes on https://drchatterjee.com/podcast or via these podcast platforms by searching for 'Feel Better, Live More'.
Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6NyPQfcSR9nj0DPDr2ixrK
-----
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Website: https://drchatterjee.com/
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Newsletter: https://drchatterjee.com/subscription

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Episode description

Download my FREE Breathing Guide HERE: http://bit.ly/3WbGHUw

Find out about the Three Question Journal here https://bit.ly/3Ha4L5c

Download my FREE Habit Change Guide HERE: http://bit.ly/3QKGGFW

What if the key to happiness and fulfilment was not changing our external circumstances but learning to appreciate and understand our inner world? This powerful idea is at the heart of this week's conversation with Buddhist monk and author Haemin Sunim.

Haemin is a Zen Buddhist teacher and the author of two Sunday Times bestselling books, including his very latest, the beautiful: ‘When Things Don’t Go Your Way: Zen Wisdom for Difficult Times.’

Haemin was born in South Korea, educated at Berkeley, Harvard, and Princeton, and received formal monastic training in Korea. When not travelling to share his teachings, he resides in Seoul, where he founded the Dharma Illumination Zen Center, offering meditation retreats and counselling programs.

We begin our conversation exploring the tension between personal aspirations and societal expectations, what Haemin calls the "me of me" versus the "me of others." This internal conflict, he believes, is at the root of much of our stress and unhappiness.

We also discuss the importance of slowing down and being present, and how, in our rush to achieve and reach our goals, we can often miss the beauty and richness of our current experiences. With that in mind, Haemin shares some practical tips for mindfulness, that can help us reconnect with ourselves and the world around us.

A key theme in this conversation is the interconnected nature of all things. Haemin explains how adopting this worldview can profoundly affect our happiness and sense of purpose. We also discuss the power of listening, the importance of solitude, and the crucially important notion that we always have a choice in how we interpret and respond to life's challenges. And, even when things don't go our way, there's always an opportunity for growth and unexpected joy.

This is a beautiful conversation, full of deep and practical insights that I’m sure will help you find greater peace, purpose and contentment.

#feelbetterlivemore
-----

Connect with Haemin:
https://www.haeminsunim.com/
https://www.instagram.com/haemin_sunim
https://twitter.com/haeminsunim

Haemin’s books:
When Things Don’t Go Your Way: Zen Wisdom for Difficult Times
US: https://amzn.to/3U9h2xu
UK: https://amzn.to/4epZvsB
Love for Imperfect Things: A Buddhist monk's guide to mindfulness and resisting the urge to strive for perfectionism
US: https://amzn.to/4h7M5nu
UK: https://amzn.to/3XLf2Oc
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: Bring calm to your life with the ultimate mindfulness guide from a Buddhist monk
US: https://amzn.to/3YpOylU
UK: https://amzn.to/3Xsfkbp

#feelbetterlivemore #feelbetterlivemorepodcast

-------
Sign up to my newsletter - FRIDAY FIVE https://drchatterjee.com/fridayfive
Find out about THE THREE QUESTION JOURNAL https://bit.ly/3TSaYtX
Pre-order MAKE CHANGE THAT LASTS. US & Canada version https://amzn.to/3RyO3SL, UK version https://amzn.to/3Kt5rUK
Order HAPPY MIND HAPPY LIFE. US & Canada https://amzn.to/3DRxjgp, UK https://amzn.to/304opgJ
Read FEEL GREAT LOSE WEIGHT. US & Canada https://amzn.to/2GWPgls, UK https://amzn.to/2W6bsOE
Order FEEL BETTER IN 5. US & Canada https://amzn.to/2EB2oM0, UK https://amzn.to/2G0XK7l
Read THE STRESS SOLUTION https://amzn.to/2MZ8u8h
Order THE 4 PILLAR PLAN available via http://amzn.to/2yGfpuB Or the US version is HOW TO MAKE DISEASE DISAPPEAR https://amzn.to/2Gj1YEL
-----
Listen to all podcast episodes on https://drchatterjee.com/podcast or via these podcast platforms by searching for 'Feel Better, Live More'.
Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6NyPQfcSR9nj0DPDr2ixrK
-----
Follow Dr Chatterjee at:
Website: https://drchatterjee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drchatterjee
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchatterjee/
Newsletter: https://drchatterjee.com/subscription

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Observe difficult emotions to transform them in 90 seconds

If you sit with a difficult emotion and observe its energy without judgment, it will often change shape and disappear on its own in about 90 seconds.

Check in with your body to uncover repressed emotions

Repressed emotions can manifest as physical illness six to eight months later, so it's wise to check in with your body's physical sensations to understand your true emotional state.

Control ambition to safeguard health and find happiness

If you can control your ambition, you won't overextend yourself and harm your health, which in turn keeps your mind balanced and allows you to find happiness in little things.

Choose a benevolent attitude to shape your life experience

You can choose to believe the universe is either uncaring or benevolent, and your life experience will often become a self-fulfilling prophecy of the worldview you adopt.

Ignore others' opinions to enhance positivity

A key to a better life is to not even ask what other people have said about you, as you have no control over their opinions and it only drags you into negativity.

Adopt a 'don't know mind' to foster curiosity and love

Approaching situations and even long-term relationships with a 'don't know mind' fosters curiosity and prevents you from making assumptions, which is another word for love.

Seek small moments of happiness daily

Instead of waiting for monumental goals to feel happy, intentionally look for and enjoy 'small but certain' moments of happiness every day, like the smell of coffee or the warmth of the sun.

Proactively decide to enjoy every moment

Instead of waiting for a moment to be enjoyable, you can proactively decide that you are going to enjoy it, which makes you a creator of your experience rather than a victim of it.

Text yourself gratitude to build a consistent practice

To build a consistent gratitude practice, you can text yourself things you are grateful for, creating a list you can review later when you feel down.

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© Mindsip 2025 – Made with ❤ in Vilnius