(Photo above by mododeolhar / Pexels)
Today we are addressing a topic that’s universally challenging in close human relationships: How do you care for someone who struggles to care for themself? What if your belief in them is greater than their belief in themself?
To address these questions, we are speaking with Katie Thornber, of Los Angeles, who bravely shares a very personal journey she went through with her late father, and how she used her Buddhist practice to support him through the toughest time of his life.
This story is an incredible example of the Buddhist principle of the oneness of life and its environment.
(You can also listen to Buddhability on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.)
Cheat Sheet
1:09 Introduction to Katie and how she started practicing SGI Nichiren Buddhism
4:13 A little bit about her family and their experience with the financial crisis
6:05 How she decided to approach the situation
10:30 What her dad was going through
11:45 Why she turned to chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo at this time
14:58 How she saw herself and her environment begin to change
19:25 Her dad’s health challenges and what it took to get him to a doctor
24:41 How he opened up to her
27:03 Why change always begins within
27:54 What Katie came to believe in
30:56 What freedom means in Buddhism
41:53 What the experience was like for Katie’s mom
45:50 How this experience impacted other aspects of her life
49:31 Advice to anyone who is struggling to support someone they care for
51:02 Words from Buddhist philosopher Daisaku Ikeda that Katie holds on to
References mentioned:
Quote: Discussions on Youth, p. 27