Buddhist Teacher: No One Is Talking About This Hidden Epidemic! The Western Lie Behind Depression and Anxiety

In this episode of the podcast, Steven Bartlett interviews Gelong Thubten, a Buddhist monk, about meditation, Buddhism, and managing suffering in modern life. Gelong Thubten shares his personal journey from a stressful life as an aspiring actor to becoming a monk, detailing his experiences with anxiety, depression, and a transformative four-year retreat. The conversation covers misconceptions about meditation, its benefits for mental clarity and emotional control, and how it can help individuals change their relationship with their thoughts and emotions. They discuss the concept of "emptiness" in Buddhism, victimhood, forgiveness, and practical techniques for incorporating mindfulness into daily life, including dealing with grief and managing fear in a world driven by commercial and political agendas. Gelong Thubten emphasizes that meditation is not about clearing the mind but about learning to be less controlled by it, promoting compassion, and finding inner freedom.