#7: Buddhist Methods to Free Yourself from Harmful Behaviors with Vimalasara

In this seventh episode, I’m stoked to welcome Valerie Mason-John, aka Vimalasara, as my guest.

Vimalasara is a renowned dharma teacher, author, and international public speaker with expertise in conflict resolution. They have worked extensively with gangs, the incarcerated, and individuals struggling with intense and challenging behaviors.

Throughout our conversation, we delve into how Buddhist teachings can be practically applied to overcome addictions and change harmful habits, both big and small. Though it may not be widely recognized, addressing subtle addictive patterns has always been a core aspect of Buddhism.

This conversation was an absolute delight for me. Vimalasara’s work in the recovery space has been life-changing for many seeking a dharmic alternative to traditional avenues. Before our recording, I was also fortunate to read an advanced copy of their new book, which is out now, and Dr. Gabor Mate has described it as a work that “distills eons of wisdom.”

In the episode, you can expect to learn more about:

• Vimalasara’s path to becoming a Dharma teacher and how early nightclub experiences provided initials glimpses into no-self and ego-less states

• The implicit nature of Buddhist teachings on addiction and the rise today of explicit Buddhist-based recovery teachings

• Whether you can be addicted to “thinking”

• How understanding vedanā (feeling tone) as pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral can help you prevent getting caught in addictive storylines and reactivity

• Using the breath, body, and dance as medicine, and taking refuge in the Three Jewels of the Dharma

• Honestly examining what you think about the most on a daily basis

• How labels like “sober” can be limiting, and true recovery is about cultivating sobriety of mind, not just abstinence from substances

• The promise and nuance of using psychedelics in recovery

• Whether the goal of the path should be enlightenment or the end of suffering

I hope that anyone interested in incorporating Buddhist insights into their daily life will find this conversation an essential resource.

Learn more about Vimalasara on their website.

You can check out their new book, First Aid Kit for the Mind: Breaking the Cycle of Habitual Behaviors, here.

Listen to the episode on Substack, Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.

Hosted by Alex Olshonsky.