Asking for Help (Episode #115)

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Welcome to a new episode of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives.

In this episode, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach Jo Confino discuss the difficulty of asking for help, exploring the cultural and personal barriers that can prevent people from seeking assistance. They emphasize the importance of recognizing indirect requests for help, and the need for compassion and presence when one is asked for help; the role of community and nature in providing support; and the necessity of self-forgiveness and self-care.

The conversation underscores collective responsibility for addressing societal issues, and the power of shared vulnerability in fostering deeper connections. The hosts also share practical steps, from both teachings and their own lives.

Co-produced by the Plum Village App:
https://plumvillage.app/  

And Global Optimism:
https://globaloptimism.com/

With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:
https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/

List of resources 

Sister Chan Khong
https://plumvillage.org/about/sister-chan-khong

Brother Phap Ling (Brother Spirit)
https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/brother-phap-linh 

Interbeing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interbeing  

The Plum Village Tradition
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plum_Village_Tradition 

Wake Up Retreat 2026
https://plumvillage.org/articles/wake-up-retreat-2026-am-i-good-enough 

The Four Mantras of Love
https://plumvillage.org/gems/event/The-Four-Mantras-of-Love-V2DFQvyDMgD3NEx7GTKfXz 

European Institute of Applied Buddhism
https://www.eiab.eu/ 

Mahayana
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana 

The Way Out Is In: ‘The Three Jewels (Episode #89)’
https://plumvillage.org/podcast/the-three-jewels-episode-89

‘Beginning Anew’
https://www.parallax.org/mindfulnessbell/article/beginning-anew/ 

The Way Out Is In: ‘True Love: Practicing in Relationships (Episode #31)’ https://plumvillage.org/podcast/true-love-practicing-in-relationship-episode-31 

Quotes

“Because we are alive, everything is possible.”

“Unfortunately, as humans, we tend to only recognize that something is really happening when we experience it.”

“The beauty of mindfulness and meditation is to welcome the vulnerability in ourselves.”

“For someone to ask for help, they need someone to be compassionate.”

“When you can listen deeply, you can hear what the other person is not saying.”

“Asking for help is a leadership skill.”

“People think the environment is outside of themselves – but they are the environment.”

“We need to turn to ourselves, to take responsibility and to forgive ourselves, and then reach out to people in a way that benefits them. Because, when we ask for help, we give them permission to also experience that.”