This week we have Buddhist monk Chophel Delek on the podcast. Chophel and I have crossed paths a few times in recent years through DNKL Tibetan Buddhist Center for Universal Peace, where Chophel lives and teaches and I have studied from time to time. Chophel grew up in nearby Fairfield, Connecticut and took ordination as a monk shortly after discovering Tibetan Buddhism in his early twenties. In this episode he takes us through the process of making that choice and how his life has shifted since, plus offers valuable tips and tools for working with your mind to create the causes and conditions for a more joyful present and future. I so enjoyed hosting this interview in person in the temple of DNKL and walked away feeling so refreshed and motivated to make the most of every moment of this human life, and I hope this episode brings you the inspiration you might be seeking these days as well. 

In this episode we discuss: 

• Chophel's Catholic upbringing in Fairfield, Connecticut
• Working at Mercedez Benz as an automechanic
• The life-changing moment of finding the Tibetan Book of the Dead in a Boston bookstore
• Choosing a teacher and the decision to take ordination as a monk
• The struggle of telling his family about wanting to ordain
• The importance of investigating your guru thoroughly 
• Chophel's biggest challenge in adopting this tradition
• When we get stuck on certain teachings and how to return to them later
• The choice between Theravada and Mahayana traditions and why he took the more challenging path
• Getting to the roots of mental suffering through analytical meditation
• How to shift from isolation and self-cherishing to connection and kindness
• Reincarnation and connecting past with present
• Utilizing every encounter as an opportunity for practice and shaping future circumstances
• A week in the life at DNKL
• The meaning of his name and how he received it

Links and resources:

• DNKL Tibetan Buddhist Center for Universal Peace
• DNKL full calendar
• DNKL on Facebook
• May You Live Well on Instagram: @mayyoulivewell