Handful of Leaves | Mindfulness & Buddhism in Everyday Life

Handful Of Leaves

Delivering practical wisdom for a happier life. A Buddhist podcast that explores how to navigate the daily complexities of life relating to topics such as ambition, personal finance, relationships, etc. www.handfulofleaves.life #Podcast #Buddhism #Mindfulness

  1. Ep 66: Alone But Not Lonely ft. Ven Sumangala

    JAN 29

    Ep 66: Alone But Not Lonely ft. Ven Sumangala

    What does it mean to be alone without feeling lonely? In this episode, Venerable Sumangala reflects on solitude, companionship, and the inner stability needed to stand confidently on our own. Drawing from Buddhist teachings and lived experience, she shares why learning to be at ease with oneself is essential for mental freedom, emotional resilience, and genuine connection with others. ✨ Key Takeaways: 🧘 Solitude Is Not Loneliness — being alone becomes nourishing when the mind is trained to be steady, kind, and present. 🤝 Right Companionship Matters — wise friendships support growth and values, without creating dependence or fear of being alone. 🌱 Inner Stability Creates Freedom — when we are rooted within ourselves, we relate to others from wholeness. #AloneButNotLonely #BuddhistWisdom #MindfulLiving #InnerPeace #SpiritualFriendship About the Speaker: 👤 Venerable Sumaṅgalā Therī is the Abbess of Ariya Vihara Buddhist Society. She embarked on her spiritual journey in Buddhism at the age of 19, inspired by the serene sight of a monk and people meditating, which deeply delighted her heart. This initial inspiration led her to actively pursue, learn, and practise the Buddha’s teachings, with a particular focus on meditation. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and in 1999, she completed her M.A. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, both from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Furthering her academic and spiritual education, Ven. Sumaṅgalā Therī obtained an M.A. in Philosophy (Buddhism) from the International Buddhist College, Thailand in 2011. Currently, she serves as the Abbess and President of Ariya Vihara Buddhist Society and is an advisor of Gotami Vihara Society in Malaysia. Ven. Sumaṅgalā Therī is actively involved in conducting meditation retreats and giving Dhamma talks in various centers and camps, sharing her deep understanding and experiences in the Dhamma with others. She is one of the recipients of the 23rd Anniversary Outstanding Women Awards (OWBA) 2024, in honour of the United Nations International Women’s Day. 📄 Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-ep-66 ⏱Timestamps: (00:00) Being alone versus feeling lonely (02:05) Why modern life amplifies loneliness (04:30) Learning to be comfortable with oneself (07:10) Solitude as a spiritual training (09:55) The role of spiritual friendship (12:40) Boundaries, dependence, and healthy connection (15:20) Loneliness as a teacher (17:45) Cultivating inner refuge (20:10) Living fully alone but not lonely Resources: Ariya Vihara Buddhist Society website - https://ariyavihara.org/ Ariya Vihara Building Project - https://ariyavihara.org/ariya-vihara-building-project/ Special thanks to our sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen, Nai Kai Lee, Amelia Toh, Hannah Law, Shin Hui Chong, Dennis Lee, Kayliam, Darren 🙏 Sponsor us: https://handfulofleaves.life/support/ 🎬 Editor: Hong Jiayi ✍️ Transcribers: Cheryl Cheah, Tan Si Jing, Bernice Bay 🎨 Visuals & Sound: Anton Thorne, Tan Pei Shan, Ang You Shan 📱 Get Connected: Telegram Instagram YouTube Facebook

    14 min
  2. Ep 65: The Buddhist Path to Finding Your True Purpose ft. Ven Sumangala

    12/30/2025

    Ep 65: The Buddhist Path to Finding Your True Purpose ft. Ven Sumangala

    What gives life true meaning beyond achievement, comfort, and success? In this episode, Venerable Sumangala reflects on purpose, happiness, and the Buddhist path—challenging modern ideas of fulfillment and inviting us to look inward. Through teachings on non-attachment, mental training, and the Noble Eightfold Path, this conversation explores how lasting happiness comes from freedom of mind, not endless striving. ✨ Key Takeaways: 🧭 Purpose Beyond Success – Why ambition and “becoming someone” never fully satisfy. 🌿 Non-Attachment, Real Peace – How letting go leads to calm, clarity, and inner happiness. 🧘 Train the Mind – Meditation and mindfulness as practical tools for daily life. #BuddhistWisdom #PurposeInLife #InnerPeace #MindfulLiving About the Speaker: 👤 Venerable Sumaṅgalā Therī is the Abbess of Ariya Vihara Buddhist Society. She embarked on her spiritual journey in Buddhism at the age of 19, inspired by the serene sight of a monk and people meditating, which deeply delighted her heart. This initial inspiration led her to actively pursue, learn, and practise the Buddha’s teachings, with a particular focus on meditation. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and in 1999, she completed her M.A. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, both from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Furthering her academic and spiritual education, Ven. Sumaṅgalā Therī obtained an M.A. in Philosophy (Buddhism) from the International Buddhist College, Thailand in 2011. Currently, she serves as the Abbess and President of Ariya Vihara Buddhist Society and is an advisor of Gotami Vihara Society in Malaysia. Ven. Sumaṅgalā Therī is actively involved in conducting meditation retreats and giving Dhamma talks in various centers and camps, sharing her deep understanding and experiences in the Dhamma with others. She is one of the recipients of the 23rd Anniversary Outstanding Women Awards (OWBA) 2024, in honour of the United Nations International Women’s Day. 📄 Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-ep-65 ⏱Timestamps: (00:00) – Introduction to the episode & Venerable Sumangala (01:30) – What is true happiness and freedom from suffering? (02:11) – Non-attachment as the key to peace (03:17) – Why ambition and “becoming someone” never satisfies (06:37) – The Noble Eightfold Path explained simply (08:17) – Training the mind through meditation and loving-kindness (10:54) – Happiness from within vs sense pleasure (12:45) – Living simply in a consumer-driven world (17:27) – Redefining success as inner peace and happiness Special thanks to our sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen, Nai Kai Lee, Amelia Toh, Hannah Law, Shin Hui Chong, Dennis Lee, Kayliam, Darren 🙏 Sponsor us: https://handfulofleaves.life/support/ 🎬 Editor: Hong Jiayi ✍️ Transcribers: Cheryl Cheah, Tan Si Jing, Bernice Bay 🎨 Visuals & Sound: Anton Thorne, Tan Pei Shan, Ang You Shan 📱Get connected here: Telegram Instagram YouTube Facebook

    19 min
  3. Ep 64: Why Buddhism is the best career investment in your 30s ft. Chade-Meng Tan

    11/27/2025

    Ep 64: Why Buddhism is the best career investment in your 30s ft. Chade-Meng Tan

    In this energizing conversation, Meng — Google’s former “Jolly Good Fellow” and co-founder of buddhism.net — breaks down how Buddhist practice can boost happiness, success, and emotional resilience. From the “minimum effective dose” of meditation to the surprising technique of “suffer later,” Meng shares practical tools anyone can use to feel calmer, think clearer, and live wiser — without needing hours of practice a day. ✨ Key Takeaways: 🧘 Meditation Makes Life Better – Even small, consistent practice creates clarity, calm, and emotional strength 💛 Kindness = Real Power – Why compassion makes you more likeable, more effective, and a better leader ⚡ Tiny Tools, Big Impact – Quick practices like 6-second meditation, “suffer later,” and micro-Metta can transform your day #MindfulLiving #BuddhistWisdom #EmotionalResilience #LeadershipSkills #MeditationTools About the Speaker: 👤 Chade-Meng Tan (Meng) is an award-winning engineer, international bestselling author, movie producer and philanthropist.  Meng led the creation of the groundbreaking mindfulness-based emotional intelligence course at Google called Search Inside Yourself. He retired from Google as its Jolly Good Fellow at the age of 45 but is far from retired in his pursuit to spread peace, kindness, and mindfulness around the world.  He is Co-chair of One Billion Acts of Peace, which has been nominated by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and seven others for the Nobel Peace Prize. He was also Executive Producer of the movie Walk With Me, and Adjunct Professor at the National University of Singapore. Meng delivered a TED talk on compassion at the United Nations, spoke about the development of kindness at the White House, and led mindfulness practice at the Vatican. The Dalai Lama gave him a hug for his 40th birthday. President Carter once gave him a standing ovation.  He jokes that he is a Buddhist “on most weekdays, especially Mondays.”  His personal motto is, “Life is too important to be taken seriously”. 📄 Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-ep-64 ⏱Timestamps: (00:00) – Are you happier? Meng’s unexpected opening question (00:23) – Meng’s background: Google, Buddhism.net & his mission (01:38) – Why young people postpone Buddhism (and why it’s a mistake) (02:39) – Early practice = lifelong benefit (fitness & investing analogy) (03:45) – How meditation improves success at work & relationships (05:47) – Leading with kindness: why people help those they like (07:16) – Leadership under pressure + Meng’s lesson from IBM’s CEO (10:00) – “Suffer later”: Meng’s surprisingly effective stress technique (11:40) – Two parts of Buddhism: transformation & transcendence (13:22) – 6-second meditation experiment (Cheryl tries it) (16:17) – Minimum effective dose: only 100 minutes needed (17:59) – 3 simple practices: Breath, Metta, Waiting-awareness Resources: Links to the ‘Buddhism for All’ series -  Website: Buddhism.net Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buddhism_dot_net/ Special thanks to our sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen, Nai Kai Lee, Amelia Toh, Hannah Law, Shin Hui Chong, Dennis Lee, Kayliam, Darren 🙏 Sponsor us: https://handfulofleaves.life/support/ 🎬 Editor: Brian (Pasadhi), Cheryl Cheah, Tan Si Jing ✍️ Transcribers: Cheryl Cheah, Tan Si Jing, Bernice Bay 🎨 Visuals & Sound: Anton Thorne, Tan Pei Shan, Ang You Shan Get connected here: Telegram Instagram YouTube Facebook

    23 min
  4. Ep 63: Emma Slade - a Bhutanese nun's solo journey across 12 mountain passes

    10/16/2025

    Ep 63: Emma Slade - a Bhutanese nun's solo journey across 12 mountain passes

    In this inspiring conversation, Buddhist nun and author Emma Slade (Lopen Ani Pema Deki) shares how compassion fuels her work through Opening Your Heart to Bhutan, a charity supporting children with special needs. From surviving a life-changing hostage experience to preparing for a 37-day trek across Bhutan, Emma reveals how resilience, faith, and kindness can transform both personal suffering and the lives of others. 💪 Resilience in Adversity – Lessons from Bhutanese children and Emma’s own journey through trauma. 🌏 Compassion in Action – Why widening our hearts creates true peace and supports those in need. 🧘 Progress, Not Perfection – How practice and service are about gradual growth, not instant enlightenment. #CompassionInAction #BuddhistWisdom #OpeningYourHeart About the Speaker: 👤 Lopen Ani Pema Deki (Emma Slade) was born in Kent, and was educated at Cambridge University and the University of London where she gained a First Class degree.  She is a qualified Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and worked in Fund Management in London, New York, and Hong Kong.  A deep seated desire to enquire into the deeper aspects of humanity arise following a life-changing business trip to Jakarta, where she was held hostage at gunpoint. She resigned from her financial career and began exploring yoga and meditation and methods of wellbeing with the ultimate aim of turning a traumatic episode into wisdom and conditions for thriving.  ​Her interest in Buddhism as a science of the mind strengthened after meeting a Buddhist Lama (teacher) on her first visit to Bhutan in 2011. This crucial chance meeting led to her studying Buddhism with this Lama and, eventually, led to her becoming the first and only Western woman to be ordained in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan as a Buddhist nun. 📄 Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-ep-63 ⏱Timestamps: (00:00) – Introduction to Emma Slade: Buddhist nun, author, and charity founder (00:47) – Opening Your Heart to Bhutan: supporting children with special needs (01:40) – Preparing to walk the 37-day Wild Bhutan Trail for fundraising (01:59) – Emma’s hostage experience and empathy for children lacking autonomy (03:21) – Story of a boy walking on his knees who now trains for the Paralympics (04:17) – Mindset and resilience: lessons from Bhutanese children (05:14) – Struggles, fundraising challenges, and not giving up (06:08) – Expanding compassion as mental training and peace (07:05) – Following the Bodhisattva vow with aspiration despite obstacles (09:11) – Skillful means: helping others when they are ready to receive (10:49) – The “cup” analogy for openness to Dharma (12:12) – Progress is gradual: not expecting perfection in practice (12:44) – Redefining suffering as mental states, not just physical (14:02) – Preparing physically and mentally for the Bhutan Trail (14:31) – Stretching beyond comfort zones to truly help others (14:40) – How to follow Emma’s journey and support the cause Resources: Emma Slade’s website: https://www.emmaslade.com/ Emma Slade’s charity fundraiser: https://www.openingyourhearttobhutan.com/ Facebook/Instagram: @openingyourhearttobhutan_ More about her journey being held at gunpoint: My Path To Becoming A Buddhist | Emma Slade | TEDxSevenoaksSchool Special thanks to our sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen, Nai Kai Lee, Amelia Toh, Hannah Law, Shin Hui Chong, Dennis Lee 🙏 Sponsor us: https://handfulofleaves.life/support/ 🎬 Editor: Hong Jiayi ✍️ Transcribers: Cheryl Cheah, Tan Si Jing, Bernice Bay 🎨 Visuals & Sound: Anton Thorne, Tan Pei Shan, Ang You Shan 📱 Get ConnectedTelegram Instagram YouTube Facebook

    16 min
  5. Why a 31-year old Singaporean Techie Chose the Monk Life

    10/14/2025

    Why a 31-year old Singaporean Techie Chose the Monk Life

    From dating to reading about Elon Musk to politics, he was in search of meaning in his early 20s. That all changed when he read about the Buddha and his monks. We had the awesome opportunity to speak with Phra Ryan before he took on full ordination. Here’s his story of becoming a monk at the prime of his career in the tech industry. This is also how he, as an only son and having family members of a different faith, arrived at this path. #BuddhistWisdom #MindfulLiving #FaithAndPractice  About the Speaker: Halfway through university, Ryan embarked on a spiritual journey into the deeper meaning of life, and found himself drawn towards Buddhism during a silent retreat in the Australian bush, which marked the beginning of an eight-year long journey into monkhood. This is his story. 📄 Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-phra-ryan ⏱Timestamps: (00:00) – First week as a novice monk: nerves and relief (01:30) – Meeting Ajahn Dhammasiha and first retreats (03:00) – Life as an Anagarika and family’s reaction (05:00) – Growing up privileged but searching for meaning (07:05) – Parents’ and friends’ response to ordination (09:10) – Luang Por’s teaching: life without mindfulness is crazy (10:00) – Goal of practice: freeing the mind from attachment (11:15) – Wearing the robe and facing “imposter syndrome” (12:09) – Choosing Wat Marp Jan under Luang Por Anan Special thanks to our sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen, Nai Kai Lee, Amelia Toh, Hannah Law, Shin Hui Chong, Dennis Lee 🙏 Sponsor us: https://handfulofleaves.life/support/ 🎬 Editor: Hong Jiayi ✍️ Transcribers: Cheryl Cheah, Tan Si Jing, Bernice Bay 🎨 Visuals & Sound: Anton Thorne, Tan Pei Shan, Ang You Shan Get connected here: Telegram Instagram YouTube Facebook

    15 min
  6. Ep 62: A Narrow Heart Is a Fragile Heart | How to Stop Feeling So Alone

    09/24/2025

    Ep 62: A Narrow Heart Is a Fragile Heart | How to Stop Feeling So Alone

    In this episode, Lopen Ani Pema Deki (Ven Emma Slade) — a former London investment banker who left after a near-death experience in Jakarta to ordain in Bhutan — explores what it means to widen the heart and become truly unbreakable. She contrasts fleeting, manufactured happiness with the effortless joy that arises from practice and explains how small acts of kindness build resilience. Perfect for listeners curious about practical spirituality and living with purpose. Key Takeaways: 🧭 Choose Liberation, Not Comfort — Why training the mind matters, and how practice aims for freedom from samsara rather than temporary ease. 💫 Real Joy vs. Manufactured Bliss — The difference between practice-born joy (stable, effortless) and short-lived worldly pleasures. 🤝 Small Acts, Big Heart — Two-minute kindnesses, widening your circle of care, and the role of faith/teacher in sustaining practice. #OpeningYourHeart #BuddhistWisdom #MindfulLiving #FaithAndPractice About the Speaker: 👤 Lopen Ani Pema Deki (Ven Emma Slade) was born in Kent, educated at Cambridge University and the University of London where she gained a First Class degree. She is a qualified Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and worked in Fund Management in London, New York, and Hong Kong. A deep seated desire to enquire into the deeper aspects of humanity arise following a life- changing business trip to Jakarta, where she was held hostage at gunpoint. She resigned from her financial career and began exploring yoga and meditation and methods of wellbeing with the ultimate aim of turning a traumatic episode into wisdom and conditions for thriving. ​ Her interest in Buddhism as a science of the mind strengthened after meeting a Buddhist Lama (teacher) on her first visit to Bhutan in 2011. This crucial chance meeting led to her studying Buddhism and becoming the first and only Western woman to be ordained in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan as a Buddhist nun. 📄 Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-ep-62 ⏱Timestamps: (00:00) – Introduction to Lopen Ani Pema Deki (Ven Emma Slade), former banker turned Buddhist nun (01:00) – The challenge of practicing Dharma in a busy modern life (02:31) – Are we seeking comfort in samsara or liberation? (02:51) – What happiness really means from a Buddhist perspective (03:40) – Joy and bliss: natural results of Dharma practice vs. worldly joy (05:28) – Reflections on Bhutan and why happiness can’t be measured easily (06:20) – Mental resilience and faith in Bhutanese life (07:17) – Small daily acts of kindness in a busy life (07:53) – Expanding motivation beyond yourself and loved ones (08:52) – Why bother about anyone else besides your loved ones? (09:20) – Why widening your heart supports resilience (10:24) – The Bodhisattva path: stretching beyond your comfort zone (11:14) – How Lopen Ani Pema Deki became a Buddhist and later a nun (11:40) – Meeting her teacher in Bhutan (12:24) – Moments of clarity and deep spiritual connection (14:27) – Karma and how Lopen Ani Pema Deki ’s path ripened in Bhutan Resources: Lopen Ani Pema Deki (Ven Emma Slade) website - https://www.emmaslade.com/ Lopen Ani Pema Deki (Ven Emma Slade) charity fundraiser - https://www.openingyourhearttobhutan.com/ Special thanks to our sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen, Nai Kai Lee, Amelia Toh, Hannah Law, Shin Hui Chong, Dennis Lee 🙏 Sponsor us: https://handfulofleaves.life/support/ 🎬 Editor: Hong Jiayi ✍️ Transcribers: Cheryl Cheah, Tan Si Jing, Bernice Bay 🎨 Visuals & Sound: Anton Thorne, Tan Pei Shan, Ang You Shan 📱Get connected here: Telegram Instagram YouTube Facebook

    16 min
  7. Ep 61: How I Built a $200M Business Without Crossing These 5 Lines

    08/15/2025

    Ep 61: How I Built a $200M Business Without Crossing These 5 Lines

    How can Buddhist principles guide tough business decisions, build trust, and create a healthier workplace culture? In this episode, Glints co-founder Ying Cong shares real-life lessons from 11 years of leading a startup—navigating challenges from employee boundaries to co-founder conflicts—while staying grounded in his “inviolable principles.” His reflections show how mindfulness and compassion can be powerful tools in leadership and life. 🛑 Boundaries Build Respect – Why not treating employees as “family” can actually strengthen trust and fairness. 🗣️ Truth as a Leadership Asset – How radical honesty during crises kept the team united and loyal. 🤝 Compassion in Conflict – Using empathy and gratitude to resolve disagreements without breaking relationships. #MindfulLeadership #BuddhistWisdom #StartupLessons #TruthAndTrust #DharmaInBusiness About the Speaker: 👤 Ying Cong is a long-time meditator and the co-founder of Glints, a leading career platform in Southeast Asia. Over the past decade, he helped scale the company from an idea incubated by JFDI to a regional startup featured in major publications like The Straits Times and Yahoo News. As Glints’ former CTO and current machine learning engineer, he has worked on recommender systems, fraud detection, and data infrastructure—though he jokes that most of it is just “glorified data cleaning.” His Dhamma journey began in his teenage years and continues to deepen through regular meditation, observing the precepts, and periods of monastic training in the Thai forest tradition. He is quietly exploring how to balance the responsibilities of lay life with the path of practice. 📄 Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-ep-61 ⏱ Timestamps (00:00) – Introduction to Ying Cong and Glints (00:46) – Why “treating employees like family” caused challenges (02:34) – Setting healthy boundaries while staying compassionate (03:34) – Listening deeply to uncover unspoken struggles (05:24) – How personal connection creates meaning at work (05:54) – Translating individual meaning into team culture (07:04) – Leaders setting the tone for company culture (08:13) – Avoiding the trap of hiring people just like you (09:59) – Using “inviolable principles” as a leadership foundation (10:38) – Close calls with breaking the precept on truthfulness (12:14) – Learning to package truth wisely for investors (13:02) – How truthfulness builds long-term trust with employees (15:02) – Radical transparency during financial crisis kept the team together (16:04) – Biggest co-founder disagreement: shutting down a business unit (19:00) – Applying Buddhist wisdom to make difficult decisions (20:14) – Compassion in execution: acknowledging effort and gratitude (22:23) – Stepping down as CTO and learning from different roles (23:26) – Final reflections and key takeaways Special thanks to our sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen, Nai Kai Lee, Amelia Toh, Hannah Law, Shin Hui Chong, Dennis Lee 🙏 Sponsor us: https://handfulofleaves.life/support/ 🎬 Editor: Aparajita Ghose – Website | YouTube ✍️ Transcribers: Hong Jiayi, Cheryl Cheah, Tan Si Jing, Bernice Bay 🎨 Visuals & Sound: Anton Thorne, Tan Pei Shan, Ang You Shan Get connected here: Telegram Instagram YouTube Facebook

    24 min
  8. Ep 60: The $200M Entrepreneur who meditates two hours a day

    07/17/2025

    Ep 60: The $200M Entrepreneur who meditates two hours a day

    What does it mean to build a $200M startup while staying grounded in Buddhist values? In this episode, Ying Cong, co-founder of Glints, shares candid stories from his entrepreneurial journey—from navigating PR crises to letting go of ego and status. With wisdom drawn from his daily two-hour meditation practice and real-world experience, he explores how Dhamma can shape leadership, decisions, and even definitions of success. 🧘 Meditation in the Startup World – How mindfulness helps in managing crises and emotional highs and lows 💸 The Joy of Giving – Why true generosity pierces the ego and transforms workplace culture 🌊 Samsara on Steroids – Lessons in impermanence from building (and rebuilding) a company over 11 years #StartupWisdom #MindfulLeadership #BuddhistEntrepreneur #SamsaraOnSteroids #DhammaInBusiness  About the Speaker: 👤Ying Cong is a long-time meditator and the co-founder of Glints, a leading career platform in Southeast Asia. Over the past decade, he helped scale the company from an idea incubated by JFDI to a regional startup featured in major publications like The Straits Times and Yahoo News. As Glints’ former CTO and current machine learning engineer, he has worked on recommender systems, fraud detection, and data infrastructure—though he jokes that most of it is just “glorified data cleaning.” His Dhamma journey began in his teenage years and continues to deepen through regular meditation, observing the precepts, and periods of monastic training in the Thai forest tradition. He is quietly exploring how to balance the responsibilities of lay life with the path of practice.   Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-ep-60 Timestamps: (00:00) – Startup life as “samsara on steroids” (00:50) – Introduction to guest: Ying Cong, co-founder of Glints (02:02) – Ying Cong’s Buddhist background and early monastic experiences (02:48) – Why he meditates two hours a day and how he finds time (04:34) – How meditation helped during a major PR crisis (05:00) – The PR crisis story: a job listing gone wrong (07:31) – Learning to face problems directly, like in meditation (08:46) – Reputation: years to build, seconds to lose (09:37) – The joy of giving and overcoming stinginess (11:15) – A COVID layoff decision and the pain of letting go (13:48) – Choosing compassion: giving severance from personal funds (15:10) – Letting go of attachment to money and ego (16:21) – Building something meaningful through self-development (16:50) – Startup life and the eight worldly winds (17:23) – From financial freedom to finding deeper meaning (18:01) – “Making it” then losing it: a funding disappointment (19:38) – People come and go: the pain of team members leaving (21:05) – Impermanence and the constant cycle of change (21:47) – Reflections on the Buddha’s noble search (23:02) – Developing wisdom and seeing patterns of impermanence (23:36) – Closing Reflection Special thanks to our sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen, Nai Kai Lee, Amelia Toh, Hannah Law, Shin Hui Chong Sponsor us here: https://handfulofleaves.life/support/ Editor of this episode: Aparajita Ghose Website: aparajitayoga.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLdn8TJKbY1uQ9PQr5AUsA Transcribers of this episode: Hong Jiayi, Cheryl Cheah, Tan Si Jing, Bernice Bay Visual and Sound Effects: Anton Thorne, Tan Pei Shan, Ang You Shan  Get connected here: Telegram Instagram YouTube Facebook

    24 min

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Delivering practical wisdom for a happier life. A Buddhist podcast that explores how to navigate the daily complexities of life relating to topics such as ambition, personal finance, relationships, etc. www.handfulofleaves.life #Podcast #Buddhism #Mindfulness