Show Notes
Today’s episode is about imposter syndrome, or feeling like you don’t deserve success or happiness.
Technically,
imposter syndrome is not a psychiatric disorder but studies show that imposter feelings are experienced by 70% of people at some point in their life. These feelings can be caused by internal factors, like personality traits, and external factors, such as the environments we experience, as well as institutionalized discrimination.
However it shows up in your life, feeling like you don’t belong or don’t deserve success or happiness is something Buddhism directly addresses. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the ultimate affirmation of the dignity of each person’s life, and the purpose of practicing Buddhism is to develop a state of genuine happiness, both for ourselves and others.
Today’s episode addresses all this and more, through the story of Aide Aguirre, a young woman who started practicing Buddhism at 24, simply to generate hope for her own life.
CHEAT SHEET
2:20 Aide’s experience growing up undocumented
10:35 What she had resigned herself to
15:17 The feelings of imposter syndrome she experienced in college
22:55 Why Buddhism resonated with her
27:15 How she started chanting
32:58 How her vision for her life started to change
36:45 How getting COVID-19 pushed her to pursue her dreams
43:14 Her journey to graduate school
51:29 Advice to anyone struggling with the feeling that they don’t deserve success or happiness
What is Buddhability?
The reality is, we’re already enlightened. It’s only as we face obstacles, stress and our own messiness that we start to forget it. This is a show about how to believe in yourself again, told by a community of Buddhists doing it everyday, and changing the world along the way. Hosted by Cassidy Bradford, each week you’ll hear an honest conversation about real life and how to tap into your Buddhability. From relationships and dream jobs to lessons from psychology and activism, subscribe to Buddhability on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts so you never miss an episode. For more stories, tips on practicing SGI Nichiren Buddhism, and our newsletter, visit www.buddhability.org.