Refuge, Not Shield

I Promise to Fail — For Good.

What's the point of making a promise you're guaranteed to break? The Four Great Vows of the Bodhisattva are exactly that — impossible by design. In this episode, Justin explores each of the four vows, what they actually mean in a Buddhist context, and why failing to keep them might be the most honest thing you can do. Along the way: compassion as practice rather than feeling, delusion as conditioning rather than character flaw, and why direction matters more than destination. You will fail these vows. That's kind of the whole point. Connect with Be Your Own Zen Master:  Web: www.byozm.com IG : @beyourownzenmaster [https://www.instagram.com/beyourownzenmaster/] YT: @byozm [https://www.youtube.com/@byozm] If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. Share it with someone who might benefit from these reflections.  © 2026 Be Your Own Zen Master

Who's Being Criticized Anyway?

Insecurity and self-doubt don’t disappear with experience—they just change shape. In this episode, I explore criticism, confidence, and Zen practice, and what happens when we stop making feedback personal and start seeing it clearly. Who, exactly, is being criticized?  Connect with Be Your Own Zen Master:  Web: www.byozm.com IG : @beyourownzenmaster [https://www.instagram.com/beyourownzenmaster/] YT: @byozm [https://www.youtube.com/@byozm] If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. Share it with someone who might benefit from these reflections.  © 2026 Be Your Own Zen Master

Let the Clown Walk the Dog

Sometimes the harder we try to say something meaningful, the less we have to say. In this episode, I talk about the pressure to make my practice — and this podcast — mean something, and what happens when that pressure starts to push back. From overthinking Zen to overcorrecting my dogs on a walk, this is a reflection on letting go of control, easing off the spring, and finding a little Dharma in the bonk. Sometimes the best practice is to stop forcing the moment… and just let the clown walk the dog. Connect with Be Your Own Zen Master:  Web: www.byozm.com IG : @beyourownzenmaster [https://www.instagram.com/beyourownzenmaster/] YT: @byozm [https://www.youtube.com/@byozm] If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. Share it with someone who might benefit from these reflections.  © 2026 Be Your Own Zen Master

Refuge, Not Shield

I've been caught up in creating content about Buddhist practice while neglecting the practice itself. This episode explores the difference between using teachings as a refuge (where you actually dwell) versus a shield (something to hide behind), and why returning to the basics—breath, body, presence—might be the most honest path forward.  Connect with Be Your Own Zen Master:  Web: www.byozm.com IG : @beyourownzenmaster [https://www.instagram.com/beyourownzenmaster/] YT: @byozm [https://www.youtube.com/@byozm] If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. Share it with someone who might benefit from these reflections.  © 2026 Be Your Own Zen Master

Dumpster Gem Jamboree

How do we stay sane when the world feels like it’s on fire? In this episode of Be Your Own Zen Master, Justin explores how media feeds our fear — and how taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha can help us stay grounded, compassionate, and human. Includes lo-fi vibes, sincere reflection, and a parody ad you probably shouldn’t take. Connect with Be Your Own Zen Master:  Web: www.byozm.com IG : @beyourownzenmaster [https://www.instagram.com/beyourownzenmaster/] YT: @byozm [https://www.youtube.com/@byozm] If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. Share it with someone who might benefit from these reflections.  © 2026 Be Your Own Zen Master