She raised her son while trying not to drown — fighting teachers, fighting her husband, fighting to keep her family afloat, and never once seeming happy. Years later, both mother and son would leave their old lives behind and ordain. In this raw conversation, Phra Anand traces his mother's journey from a decade of failed meditation teachers to the one who finally taught her wisdom before technique — and how watching her transform set him on the same path.In this episode:- Growing up in a "perfect" outside family that was a volcano inside the house- Why kids who are obsessed with their friends are often just avoiding an unhappy home- The rock-in-the-mouth story: why anger "tricks" never actually fix anger- The teaching that changed everything — "there's no finish line except in fixing yourself"- How his mother's transformation put both of them on the path to ordination- Learning that everyone has the right to their own choices — and their own consequences---About the Teacher 🧘 Phra Anandapanyo (Anandapanyo Bhikkhu)Anandapanyo Bhikkhu was born and raised in San Francisco to a Thai immigrant family, fluent in both Thai and English from childhood. Before ordaining, he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from UC Santa Barbara and later pursued a Master's degree at San Francisco State University while helping run the family business.For ten years as a layperson, starting in 1999, he trained directly under Ācariya Thoon Khippapañño and one of Thoon's most devoted students — Mae Chee Yo, who is also his own mother. He ordained on May 20, 2009 at Wat San Fran Dhammaram, becoming the temple's first monk fluent enough in English to teach comfortably in both languages.He's since become known for delivering sermons and teachings that move fluidly between English and Thai, and — alongside his sister, Neecha Thian-Ngern — was personally entrusted by Ācariya Thoon to translate and spread his teachings to a wider audience. He is the author of Right Start, Right Finish.📄 Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-ep-75⏱Timestamps:(0:00) – Why arguments happen: one perspective vs. the full context(0:45) – "My mum brought me up while she was fighting"(1:31) – The AP calculus story: fighting the school system(2:37) – "She messed me up" — mistaking superhuman for normal(3:36) – The outside world's "perfect family"(4:30) – A hot house: why the kids kept leaving(5:33) – Planning to move away — until something changed(6:17) – The home shrine and midnight Dharma sessions(8:07) – Ten years of meditation, but "nobody changed"(8:57) – His father's intervention: one more teacher to try(9:43) – The "rocks in your mouth" anger story(10:44) – A teacher who taught wisdom, not technique(12:35) – "There's no finish line — except in the Dhamma"(13:30) – The Thai-writing board: seeing his father's side(16:49) – Everyone's entitled to their choices, and the consequences#HandfulOfLeaves #Buddhism #Meditation #Mindfulness #Forgiveness #FamilyTrauma #BuddhistTeachings #Dhamma #AjahnPranjana #InnerPeaceResources:https://watsanfran.orgSpecial 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: Azraf Mahir
✍️ Transcribers: Cheryl Cheah, Tan Si Jing, Ng Yah Tyng
🎨 Visuals & Sound: Anton Thorne, Tan Pei Shan, Ang You Shan
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