In this insightful episode of Handful of Leaves, we held a conversation with Brother Duc Pho - a monastic from Plum Village - to explore the powerful connection between music and mindfulness. Discover how music can enhance meditation, help transform suffering, and cultivate a more joyful, present life. Brother Duc Pho also shares personal stories, practical tips, and reflections on balancing silence with song, making this episode a harmonious blend of wisdom and melody.
There's an error in the subtitles: It should be European Institute of Applied Buddhism, not the European Institute of Applied Music.
#MindfulMusic #TransformWithMindfulness #JoyfulPractice
About the Speaker
Brother Đức Phổ (徳普), born in the Netherlands in 1985, first got in contact with Buddhism while traveling in South-East Asia. Later he found a practical and applied form of Buddhism in Plum Village France and has been practicing and building sangha as a lay practitioner in this tradition since 2010 and continues to do so since being ordained as a monastic under Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in 2016. He currently practices with the monastic sangha of Thai Plum Village International Meditation Practice Center in Pak Chong, Thailand.
Brother Duc Pho enjoys sitting meditation and slow walking outside in nature, drinking tea in mindfulness, playing music and offering his presence as an authentic human being and practitioner with people of all ages including young people and children.
Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-ep-54
Timestamps:
(00:00) – Introduction
(01:15) – Fun Question
(02:30) – Music and Mindfulness
(03:20) – Mindful Music vs. Obstacles
(04:10) – Music as a Double-Edged Sword
(06:15) – The Eight Precepts
(07:30) – Music Choices and Intentions
(09:10) – The Three Complexes
(10:00) – Music for Healing
(13:20) – Final Advice
(14:35) – Music as a Community Builder
(15:25) – Closing Thoughts
Resources:
Plum Village Thailand
https://www.thaiplumvillage.org/
Joyful Garden Sangha Singapore
Plum Village Malaysia
https://www.instagram.com/plumvillagemalaysia?igsh=MWN1amV1OWoxNzJ2eQ==
Plum Village Indonesia
https://www.instagram.com/plumvillageindonesia?igsh=bmg5bzVxNWppdjd0
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
Editor and transcriber of this episode:
Hong Jia Yi, Ang You Shan, Tan Si Jing, Bernice Bay, Cheryl Cheah