The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

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Monday, 23 June 2025 - 1 hour 53 minutes

From 6 years in isolation to sounding the alarm, Buddhist monk Gelong Thubten reveals the hidden epidemic no one is talking about. 

Gelong Thubten is one of the UK’s most influential meditation teachers, who spent 6 years in isolated meditation retreats, including a 4-year silent retreat. He is also the bestselling author of books such as, ‘Handbook for Hard Times: A Monk's Guide to Fearless Living’. 

He explains:

• The hidden mental health crisis that’s silently destroying your emotional well-being.

• Why Western culture increases anxiety, depression, and disconnection

• The biggest myths about meditation and how to meditate properly. 

• The real reason your meditation practice isn’t working.

• How screen time and phone addiction are hijacking your brain and inner peace.

• Why rejecting pleasure can lead to lasting connection and clarity.

• How unresolved trauma controls your mind and how mindfulness can free you.

  
  

  00:00 Intro

  02:32 Why Is Gelong's Message More Important Now Than Ever Before?

  03:02 Gelong's Concerns About Western Society

  03:51 Where Does Life Purpose Come From?

  05:15 Is Search for Purpose a Misplaced Pursuit?

  06:28 Why Is Western Society Increasingly Unhappy?

  08:55 Is It Wrong to Find Meaning in the Pursuit of Goals?

  11:38 What Led Gelong to Become a Monk?

  13:50 Gelong's Difficult Past and Its Impact on His Mind

  18:06 Where Do Negative Internal Voices Originate From?

  19:03 Who Influenced Gelong to Go to a Monastery?

  19:53 Gelong's Heart Condition

  20:49 Key Aspects of Living as a Monk

  22:25 What Are the Advantages of Celibacy?

  24:23 Is Abstinence Sufficient to Overcome Compulsive Behaviour?

  27:06 What Is Buddhism?

  29:43 Gelong's Journey of Healing

  31:33 What Is Meditation?

  36:38 Benefits of Buddhist Practices

  41:12 Can a Buddhist Mindset Go Hand in Hand With Effectiveness at Work?

  46:45 Ads

  48:41 How Does Buddhism Think About Victimhood and Trauma?

  51:51 Breaking Free From Suffering

  58:16 Can We Run Away From Our Pain?

  1:04:49 How to Love Yourself When You Feel Broken

  1:05:56 Coping With Grief and Loss

  1:10:21 Focusing on the Pain in a Loving Way

  1:13:17 The Practice of Forgiveness

  1:20:16 Ads

  1:22:12 Are We Living in a Culture of Fear?

  1:25:06 How to Protect Yourself From Fear

  1:27:13 The Gap Between Impulse and Action

  1:28:13 Incorporating Meditation Into Your Daily Life

  1:31:21 Live Meditation

  1:38:21 How Can Meditation Change Your Life

  1:41:39 Why Did Gelong Take Vows for Life?

  1:42:26 Does Working on Your Mind Ever End?

  1:43:15 The Gap Between Knowing and Doing

  1:45:17 Is Meditation Retreat a Good Idea to Get Started?

  1:45:54 Is Buddhism a Solution to the Current World Problems?

  1:47:54 Question From the Previous Guest

Follow Gelong Thubten: 

• Instagram - https://bit.ly/3FOxXlg 
• Website - https://bit.ly/45s6Zu0 
• Books - https://bit.ly/4ebqBF9 
• You can purchase Gelong Thubten’s book, ‘Handbook for Hard Times: A Monk's Guide to Fearless Living’, here: ⁠https://bit.ly/3ZDPwuU⁠ 

The Diary Of A CEO:

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Sponsors:

Shopify - https://shopify.com/bartlett 
Vivobarefoot - https://vivobarefoot.com/DOAC with code DIARY20 for 20% off

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