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