Don't Quit on Me Nick C

The Transformative Journey of Venerable Robina Courtin: Insights from "Don't Quit On Me" Podcast
The latest episode of "Don't Quit On Me," is an  an extraordinary conversation with Venerable Robina Courtin, a Buddhist nun whose life epitomizes the boundless potential of the human heart. Her journey from a rebellious youth in Melbourne, Australia, to becoming a beacon of wisdom and compassion in the Tibetan Gelugpa tradition is nothing short of inspirational.
**A Beacon of Compassion and Wisdom**
Born into a conventional background, Robina's early life was characterized by a relentless quest for truth and freedom. This journey took her from contemplating a life as a Carmelite nun through the pathways of feminist activism and prisoners' rights to eventually studying martial arts. However, it was the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, discovered somewhat serendipitously, that resonated with her spirit of service and justice, marking the beginning of a profound transformation.
Since her ordination in the late 1970s, Venerable Robina has dedicated her life to teaching and working tirelessly for the Foundation for Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition. Her editorial work and her leadership at the Liberation Prison Project have left an indelible mark on the spread of Buddhist teachings in the West.
**The Path to Enlightenment through Adversity**
Throughout the podcast, Robina shares her engaging life story, highlighting her transition from a "radical lesbian separatist feminist" to a devoted Buddhist nun. What stands out is her emphasis on using adversity as a path for enlightenment. Robina candidly speaks about her past, filled with exploration and rebellion, tracing her steps towards a life dedicated to the Dharma.
Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of Buddhist practice, proving that enlightenment is accessible to all, regardless of their past. Robina's approachable teaching style continues to inspire students around the globe, embodying the essence of turning suffering into a path for spiritual awakening.
**Meditation, Compassion, and the Power of Mind**
The conversation around the importance of meditation, dealing with 'crazy energy', and understanding the nature of self. Robina eloquently describes the process of becoming aware of one’s inherent 'crazy energy', learning to control one’s behavior, and eventually harnessing this energy for productive actions.
The conversation delves into the concepts of self-hatred and self-cherishing and explores how these seemingly contradictory feelings coexist within us. Robina draws from Buddhism's vast well of knowledge to explain these phenomena, highlighting the Buddha's teachings as a practical guide for transforming our minds.
**In Practice: A Lesson from Prison**
Perhaps the most moving part of the discussion is Robina's recount of Sunny Jacobs, author of "Stolen Time", a woman wrongly placed on death row, who embodies the principles of Buddhism by mastering the art of controlling her mind under dire circumstances. Sunny’s story serves as a powerful illustration of the human capacity for resilience and transformation through the practice of mindfulness and compassion, even in the most challenging situations.
Robina's reflections on the importance of compassion, both for oneself and others, and the practice of meditation offer deep insights into the path to liberation. Her life and teachings serve as a vivid reminder that the journey towards enlightenment is within reach for everyone, requiring only the willingness to embrace change and the dedication to pursue truth.
**Conclusion**
Venerable Robina appearance on "Don't Quit On Me" podcast offers a profound look into the life of a woman who has transformed her every trial into a step towards enlightenment. Her narrative is not just a story of personal triumph but a beacon of hope for anyone seeking to find peace, understanding, and compassion in their lives. Through her experiences, we learn that

Rest and Recovery - the Keys for Long Term Success
 Nick Propper is a sought after expert, keynote speaker and facilitator on the topic of building sustainable human performance.
Nick works extensively within the senior leadership groups of some of the world’s leading organizations, including Yale School of Medicine, Goldman Sachs, Procter & Gamble, Morgan Stanley, DaVita, G100, United States Ski & Snowboard Team, United States Air Force and the United States Federal Intelligence Community.
Prior to co-founding Impact Human Performance, Nick was a leader at the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute. In this role Nick was both a performance Coach, leading clients through high impact programming in the fields of Energy Management and Resilience, and the lead for the Professional Service Business Unit.
Before specializing in the Human Performance industry Nick held several senior leadership positions in a fifteen-year career at Omnicom, the world’s leading holding company of marketing and communications agencies. After running agencies in the UK and Europe, Nick’s last role was Global Chief Operating Officer and Chief Client Officer at Porter Novelli, a Global Communications
Consultancy.
Nick studied at Loughborough University in the UK where he earned a BA in European Business Administration and he remains an avid sportsman, spending his free time on the tennis court, on his road bike or skiing in the mountains with his family.
Nick on LinkedIn
Impact Human Performance – We help people perform at their best, more often.
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Contact Nick at Don't Quit on Me Podcast

Mark McConville is a seasoned comedian and a respected lecturer in Suicidology. With over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry, he has become one of Australia’s most reliable and professional comedians. Mark’s academic journey in mental health is equally impressive; he graduated from Griffith University with a Master’s Degree in Suicidology and received the Griffith Award for Academic Excellence in 2016. His work now bridges the gap between laughter and serious discussions about mental health, emphasizing the power of humor in suicide prevention. As an Adjunct Lecturer at The Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Mark continues to enlighten and engage audiences with his unique blend of comedy and compassion.
 
Mental Health Resources
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36 - for online chat (3pm-12am AEST) or email responses within 24 hours
MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
13 YARN 13 92 76 - 24/7 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
SANE Australia 1800 18 7263
headspace 1800 650 890
youthbeyondblue 1300 224 636
Veterans Support Service 1800 011 046
PANDA (perinatal anxiety and depression) 1300 726 306
The Eating Disorders Centre (eating disorders) (07) 3844 6055
Butterfly Foundation (eating disorders) 1800 334673
QLife (LGBTI) 1800 184 527
Griefline 1300 845 745
Grow Australia (support through peer groups) 1800 558 268
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
24-hour national telephone counselling and online service for people 18 years and over
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Free confidential 24-hour telephone and online counselling for young people aged 5 to 25 years
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
24-hour telephone support and online chat service with links to local services
e-headspace
Online counselling for young people 12 to 25 years
Mindhealthconnect
Website aggregates mental health resources and content from the leading health
Blue Knot Helpline and Redress Support Service
Supporting adult survivors of childhood trauma and adult survivors of institutional child sexual abuse around the National Redress Scheme
Call 1300 657 380
helpline@blueknot.org.au
1800 Respect
Support if you, or someone you know, is experiencing sexual assault or domestic and family violence. 1800 737 732
available 24/7 - Online chat - available 24/7 - 1800respect.org.au

 Maggie O'Shea is a relationship therapist and mental health social worker in private practice with over 30 years of experience in the field. 
Maggie lives in Castlemaine in Australia and teaches Masters of Counselling students in Melbourne at Swinburne University and Relationships Australia.
Maggie’s practice MindfulPresence specializes in group-work and retreats for individuals and couples. She is trained and registered to teach the 8-week mindfulness based stress reduction and mindful self-compassion programs, as well as positive neuroplasticity, yoga, and Brene Brown's Daring Way and Rising Strong. She offers the Mindful Self Compassion program and her own Relationship Renew program live and online most school terms as well as transformative residential retreats for both individuals and couples in Australia and Bali.

To find out more about Maggie and MindfulPresence, please go to her website: www.mindfulpresence.com.au 
 
 

Amber Lea Starfire is a writer and writing coach who has published two memoirs and several journaling how-to books. She has also developed a series of online classes and workshops that have helped many people journal and deepen their writing practice. 
Amber says "Bringing truth and creativity into the world — and empowering others to do the same — is the work of my life.
I truly believe that there is power in the story of people’s lives. My work here combines what I’ve learned from a career in teaching and writing, an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Education from Stanford University, as well as more than two decades of developing an audience for my own life-writing. I’m fascinated with the unique path each writer takes in finding his or her voice.
You can absolutely do this. 
I’d love to know what project or inspiring idea has led you here! Let me know what you’re working on and how I might support you.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure. ~Helen Keller
https://writingthroughlife.com/

Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a psychologist, Senior Fellow at UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, and New York Times best-selling author. His seven books have been published in 31 languages and include Making Great Relationship, Neurodharma, Resilient, Hardwiring Happiness, Just One Thing, Buddha's Brain, and Mother Nurture - with over a million copies in English alone.
He's the founder of the Global Compassion Coalition and the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom, as well as the co-host of the Being Well podcast - which has been downloaded over 9 million times. His free newsletters have 250,000 subscribers, and his online programs have scholarships available for those with financial needs.
He's lectured at NASA, Google, Oxford, and Harvard. An expert on positive neuroplasticity, his work has been featured on CBS, NPR, the BBC, and other major media. He began meditating in 1974 and has taught in meditation centers worldwide. He and his wife live in northern California and have two adult children. He loves the wilderness and taking a break from emails.
https://www.rickhanson.net/
https://www.globalcompassioncoalition.org/