Karma and Emptiness: The Buddhist Way To Transform Pain into Freedom
In this gem of an episode, Harmony and Russell dive deep into the philosophy of Tibetan Buddhism with the wise and joyful Hector Marcel, President of the Three Jewels Outreach Center in New York City, Tibetan Buddhism Teacher, and Meditation Expert. Hector shares his journey from Argentina to Australia and eventually to New York City, where he discovered Tibetan Buddhism. This conversation is full of laughter, wisdom, and thought-provoking ideas about karma, suffering, reincarnation, and the power of meditation.
The discussion touches on the misconception that spiritual practices will eliminate suffering and explains how enlightenment can be found by transforming how we experience life’s challenges. Hector emphasizes the importance of facing our negative karmas, the mind-body connection, and why joy is integral to moving through suffering.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Hector's Journey: From Argentina to Tibetan Buddhism
- Hector recounts his fascinating journey from fleeing political unrest in Argentina to embracing Tibetan Buddhism. His personal story illustrates how life’s unexpected turns can lead to profound wisdom and spiritual transformation.
- Discovering Meditation and Buddhism
- Hector recalls his initial reluctance to embrace meditation and Buddhism and how a series of serendipitous events, including a dream and accidentally crashing a buddhist party led him to a lifelong commitment to Tibetan teachings.
- Understanding Karma and Reincarnation
- Hector offers a clear and insightful explanation of karma, reincarnation and how these concepts are tied to the Buddhist understanding of consciousness and the mind.
- The Role of Meditation and Pretending
- One of the episode’s key takeaways is how meditation can help change our relationship to reality and how “pretending” enlightenment can actually lead to real awakening.
- Finding Joy in Suffering
- Hector discusses how we can find joy even in moments of suffering by shifting our mindset and understanding that our perception creates our experience of reality.
- Exploring Emptiness and the Nature of Reality
- The concept of emptiness is explored in depth, particularly how things don’t have an inherent nature, and how our projections create our experiences.
- The Path to Enlightenment vs. Nirvana
- Hector explains the difference between Nirvana and full Buddhahood, offering insights into what it means to reach enlightenment and how it can be achieved not just for oneself but for all living beings.
Join Hector Marcel & Three Jewels:
- Connect with Hector at Wakeupist on Instagram.
- Learn more about his work at Three Jewels, a nonprofit offering meditation, yoga, and philosophy classes in New York City.
Connect with Harmony (We love to hear from you!)
- Harmony Slater's Website: http://harmonyslater.com
00:00 - Welcome to Finding Harmony
02:35 - Discovering Doppelgangers
12:06 - Hector’s Journey to America
16:37 - Becoming a Buddhist Teacher
18:15 - The Unexpected Path to Buddhism
26:34 - The Nature of Reincarnation
32:51 - Understanding Emptiness
37:39 - Reflections of Reality
48:23 - The Quest for Nirvana
57:57 - The Exponential Spread of Wisdom
01:02:14 - Embracing Joy and Suffering
01:15:12 - Connecting with Hector Marcel
Hector Marcel
President of Three Jewels Enlightenment Studio
Hector Marcel is the president of Three Jewels, the New York-based global “Enlightenment Studio,” dedicated to helping people reach their highest potential through meditation, yoga, public talks and community outreach. He is a social entrepreneur, public speaker and seasoned organizational change management professional specializing in performance, culture, and service. Hector consults from his base in New York City to a variety of international clients, integrating eastern philosophy into corporate culture and modern life. He serves on the board of the Asian Classics Institute. Hector has been studying and practicing Tibetan Buddhism for 25 years and believes that meditation opens the door to every personal achievement.
