The Empty Cup Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/the-empty-cup An empty cup is not blankness; it’s availability. It is the willingness to look more closely at our assumptions, to meet life in a relaxed manner with an open heart. Open to accepting the present moment as it is. If your mind is full—full of opinions, expectations, habitual thinking—, this podcast invites you to sit back, relax and be emptied. Copyright Tsering Paldron 62b720be-49ad-5db0-afe7-1725c28a6959 yes Support this podcast en Sat, 29 Aug 2026 06:21:37 +0100 Sat, 29 Aug 2026 06:22:10 +0100 https://tseringpaldron.com/eng/ https://img.transistorcdn.com/H_xu9Mf6WQV_WlUbwtFkxs97on2_hBs_7zKQnBThqdY/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mYTQz/ZTI3NTM4ZjVhN2Iy/ZDBjMjdhMDc2MWE3/YWRhYy5wbmc.jpg The Empty Cup https://tseringpaldron.com/eng/ episodic Tsering Paldron An empty cup is not blankness; it’s availability. It is the willingness to look more closely at our assumptions, to meet life in a relaxed manner with an open heart. Open to accepting the present moment as it is. If your mind is full—full of opinions, expectations, habitual thinking—, this podcast invites you to sit back, relax and be emptied. An empty cup is not blankness; it’s availability. mindfulness meditation awareness presence contemplation buddhism inner peace reflection Tsering Paldron tseringpaldron@gmail.com No No Give happiness a chance 12 12 Give happiness a chance full a8f00a10-8829-4517-93fe-2be915e24a35 https://share.transistor.fm/s/8884f329 Unhappiness can become a habit.

Not because life is always difficult, but because the mind can become so accustomed to noticing what is wrong that, eventually, it keeps finding reasons to suffer even when circumstances have changed.

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore how habits of perception shape our experience — and how, without denying pain or pretending everything is wonderful, we can gently begin to notice what else is true.

Sometimes happiness is already there.

We just have to give it a chance.
★ Support this podcast ★

]]> Unhappiness can become a habit.

Not because life is always difficult, but because the mind can become so accustomed to noticing what is wrong that, eventually, it keeps finding reasons to suffer even when circumstances have changed.

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore how habits of perception shape our experience — and how, without denying pain or pretending everything is wonderful, we can gently begin to notice what else is true.

Sometimes happiness is already there.

We just have to give it a chance.
★ Support this podcast ★

]]> Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Tsering Paldron Tsering Paldron 1241 Unhappiness can become a habit.

Not because life is always difficult, but because the mind can become so accustomed to noticing what is wrong that, eventually, it keeps finding reasons to suffer even when circumstances have changed.

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore how habits of perception shape our experience — and how, without denying pain or pretending everything is wonderful, we can gently begin to notice what else is true.

Sometimes happiness is already there.

We just have to give it a chance.
★ Support this podcast ★

]]> mindfulness meditation awareness presence contemplation buddhism inner peace reflection No The extraordinary ordinariness of things 11 11 The extraordinary ordinariness of things full ed2358cf-c312-4387-8679-9bba4fdd3e62 https://share.transistor.fm/s/43a69873 We spend so much of our lives waiting for something extraordinary to happen—for love, awakening, purpose, or simply the feeling that this is it.

Meanwhile, life keeps arriving in remarkably ordinary forms: a conversation, a difficult moment, light through a window, a cup, a spoon.

What if the extraordinary isn't somewhere else? What if we simply keep overlooking it because it doesn't look the way we imagined?

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore what happens when we stop asking reality to be different—and begin to notice the quiet wonder of what is already here.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> We spend so much of our lives waiting for something extraordinary to happen—for love, awakening, purpose, or simply the feeling that this is it.

Meanwhile, life keeps arriving in remarkably ordinary forms: a conversation, a difficult moment, light through a window, a cup, a spoon.

What if the extraordinary isn't somewhere else? What if we simply keep overlooking it because it doesn't look the way we imagined?

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore what happens when we stop asking reality to be different—and begin to notice the quiet wonder of what is already here.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> Tue, 11 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Tsering Paldron Tsering Paldron 1029 We spend so much of our lives waiting for something extraordinary to happen—for love, awakening, purpose, or simply the feeling that this is it.

Meanwhile, life keeps arriving in remarkably ordinary forms: a conversation, a difficult moment, light through a window, a cup, a spoon.

What if the extraordinary isn't somewhere else? What if we simply keep overlooking it because it doesn't look the way we imagined?

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore what happens when we stop asking reality to be different—and begin to notice the quiet wonder of what is already here.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> mindfulness meditation awareness presence contemplation buddhism inner peace reflection No Everything Changes... 10 10 Everything Changes... full bd026fb5-9a9b-45c3-a48a-729031e4d2fd https://share.transistor.fm/s/56b01e5e Everything changes. Our bodies. Our relationships. Our thoughts. Our emotions. Every moment is born, unfolds, and disappears. And yet… Is there something that never changes?

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore one of the great paradoxes of the Buddhist tradition: how impermanence and timelessness are not opposites, but two inseparable aspects of reality. A reflection on uncertainty, meditation, the confidence of the View, and the quiet fearlessness that gradually emerges when we discover that, although everything is constantly changing, what is most fundamental has never been threatened by change.

Because perhaps true confidence does not come from making life more predictable. It comes from discovering that everything changes… and yet, nothing changes.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> Everything changes. Our bodies. Our relationships. Our thoughts. Our emotions. Every moment is born, unfolds, and disappears. And yet… Is there something that never changes?

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore one of the great paradoxes of the Buddhist tradition: how impermanence and timelessness are not opposites, but two inseparable aspects of reality. A reflection on uncertainty, meditation, the confidence of the View, and the quiet fearlessness that gradually emerges when we discover that, although everything is constantly changing, what is most fundamental has never been threatened by change.

Because perhaps true confidence does not come from making life more predictable. It comes from discovering that everything changes… and yet, nothing changes.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Tsering Paldron Tsering Paldron 969 Everything changes. Our bodies. Our relationships. Our thoughts. Our emotions. Every moment is born, unfolds, and disappears. And yet… Is there something that never changes?

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore one of the great paradoxes of the Buddhist tradition: how impermanence and timelessness are not opposites, but two inseparable aspects of reality. A reflection on uncertainty, meditation, the confidence of the View, and the quiet fearlessness that gradually emerges when we discover that, although everything is constantly changing, what is most fundamental has never been threatened by change.

Because perhaps true confidence does not come from making life more predictable. It comes from discovering that everything changes… and yet, nothing changes.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> mindfulness meditation awareness presence contemplation buddhism inner peace reflection No Nothing to Defend 9 9 Nothing to Defend full 9ecb25e2-1d74-47bc-b341-7b9b9b68b314 https://share.transistor.fm/s/876b68fe What does it really mean to be humble?

Many of us confuse humility with low self-esteem, making ourselves smaller, or putting everyone else first. But perhaps true humility is something entirely different.

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore the gradual release of the one who says "my body," "my thoughts," "my life"—the subtle sense of being the owner of our existence. As that contraction begins to soften, our relationship with ourselves and with others changes. We no longer need to prove, compare, rescue, or be rescued. We simply become more available to life.

A reflection on humility, the illusion of ownership, the wave and the ocean, and the quiet freedom that appears when we stop placing ourselves at the centre of everything.

Because perhaps humility is not becoming less.

It is remembering that we were never separate. 
★ Support this podcast ★

]]> What does it really mean to be humble?

Many of us confuse humility with low self-esteem, making ourselves smaller, or putting everyone else first. But perhaps true humility is something entirely different.

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore the gradual release of the one who says "my body," "my thoughts," "my life"—the subtle sense of being the owner of our existence. As that contraction begins to soften, our relationship with ourselves and with others changes. We no longer need to prove, compare, rescue, or be rescued. We simply become more available to life.

A reflection on humility, the illusion of ownership, the wave and the ocean, and the quiet freedom that appears when we stop placing ourselves at the centre of everything.

Because perhaps humility is not becoming less.

It is remembering that we were never separate. 
★ Support this podcast ★

]]> Tue, 14 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Tsering Paldron Tsering Paldron 760 What does it really mean to be humble?

Many of us confuse humility with low self-esteem, making ourselves smaller, or putting everyone else first. But perhaps true humility is something entirely different.

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore the gradual release of the one who says "my body," "my thoughts," "my life"—the subtle sense of being the owner of our existence. As that contraction begins to soften, our relationship with ourselves and with others changes. We no longer need to prove, compare, rescue, or be rescued. We simply become more available to life.

A reflection on humility, the illusion of ownership, the wave and the ocean, and the quiet freedom that appears when we stop placing ourselves at the centre of everything.

Because perhaps humility is not becoming less.

It is remembering that we were never separate. 
★ Support this podcast ★

]]> mindfulness meditation awareness presence contemplation buddhism inner peace reflection No When The Question Disappears 8 8 When The Question Disappears full 3cdb4ae1-88b4-469b-a1d0-b9abaadfb7fc https://share.transistor.fm/s/45b3bea0 For much of our lives, we feel that life is happening to us. We struggle against what we don't want, chase what we think we need, and search for meaning in everything that happens.

But what if our understanding matures over time?

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore the quiet transformation that can take place as our perspective deepens: from blame to compassion, from compassion to gratitude, and from gratitude to something even more unexpected—the discovery that life may never have been against us, or in our favour. It has simply been unfolding.

A reflection on suffering, forgiveness, the search for meaning, and the profound simplicity that appears when we stop asking life to justify itself and begin to inhabit its mystery.

Perhaps awakening is not about finding all the answers.

Perhaps it is about discovering that reality has always been quietly, innocently, exactly as it is. 


★ Support this podcast ★

]]> For much of our lives, we feel that life is happening to us. We struggle against what we don't want, chase what we think we need, and search for meaning in everything that happens.

But what if our understanding matures over time?

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore the quiet transformation that can take place as our perspective deepens: from blame to compassion, from compassion to gratitude, and from gratitude to something even more unexpected—the discovery that life may never have been against us, or in our favour. It has simply been unfolding.

A reflection on suffering, forgiveness, the search for meaning, and the profound simplicity that appears when we stop asking life to justify itself and begin to inhabit its mystery.

Perhaps awakening is not about finding all the answers.

Perhaps it is about discovering that reality has always been quietly, innocently, exactly as it is. 


★ Support this podcast ★

]]> Tue, 30 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Tsering Paldron Tsering Paldron 862 For much of our lives, we feel that life is happening to us. We struggle against what we don't want, chase what we think we need, and search for meaning in everything that happens.

But what if our understanding matures over time?

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore the quiet transformation that can take place as our perspective deepens: from blame to compassion, from compassion to gratitude, and from gratitude to something even more unexpected—the discovery that life may never have been against us, or in our favour. It has simply been unfolding.

A reflection on suffering, forgiveness, the search for meaning, and the profound simplicity that appears when we stop asking life to justify itself and begin to inhabit its mystery.

Perhaps awakening is not about finding all the answers.

Perhaps it is about discovering that reality has always been quietly, innocently, exactly as it is. 


★ Support this podcast ★

]]> mindfulness meditation awareness presence contemplation buddhism inner peace reflection No Spiritual Friends 7 7 Spiritual Friends full 2105492f-17ef-4bc4-a1ca-612b63389402 https://share.transistor.fm/s/541620f4 What makes a spiritual friendship different from an ordinary friendship?

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore the rare and precious companions who walk beside us on the path. The ones who encourage our growth rather than our stories, who help us see our blind spots without judgment, who remind us not to lose heart, and who can make us laugh when we take ourselves too seriously.

A reflection on trust, honesty, kindness, humour, and the mysterious way some people enter our lives exactly when they are needed.

Because sometimes, the greatest gift a spiritual friend can offer is simply to help us remember what truly matters.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> What makes a spiritual friendship different from an ordinary friendship?

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore the rare and precious companions who walk beside us on the path. The ones who encourage our growth rather than our stories, who help us see our blind spots without judgment, who remind us not to lose heart, and who can make us laugh when we take ourselves too seriously.

A reflection on trust, honesty, kindness, humour, and the mysterious way some people enter our lives exactly when they are needed.

Because sometimes, the greatest gift a spiritual friend can offer is simply to help us remember what truly matters.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Tsering Paldron Tsering Paldron 916 What makes a spiritual friendship different from an ordinary friendship?

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore the rare and precious companions who walk beside us on the path. The ones who encourage our growth rather than our stories, who help us see our blind spots without judgment, who remind us not to lose heart, and who can make us laugh when we take ourselves too seriously.

A reflection on trust, honesty, kindness, humour, and the mysterious way some people enter our lives exactly when they are needed.

Because sometimes, the greatest gift a spiritual friend can offer is simply to help us remember what truly matters.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> mindfulness meditation awareness presence contemplation buddhism inner peace reflection No Gratitude for the Wisdom 6 6 Gratitude for the Wisdom full 2187ce6f-61df-499a-a148-eb5398f22bef https://share.transistor.fm/s/8a461a75 What is devotion?

Blind faith, admiration, emotional dependence... or something else entirely?

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore devotion as "gratitude for Wisdom" and reflect on how to relate to teachers with both openness and discernment. How can we recognise the Wisdom that shines through someone without idealising the person? And what happens when teachers reveal their humanity—or fail to live up to our expectations?

A reflection on trust, perception, gratitude, and the delicate art of keeping the heart open without losing clarity.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> What is devotion?

Blind faith, admiration, emotional dependence... or something else entirely?

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore devotion as "gratitude for Wisdom" and reflect on how to relate to teachers with both openness and discernment. How can we recognise the Wisdom that shines through someone without idealising the person? And what happens when teachers reveal their humanity—or fail to live up to our expectations?

A reflection on trust, perception, gratitude, and the delicate art of keeping the heart open without losing clarity.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Tsering Paldron Tsering Paldron 821 What is devotion?

Blind faith, admiration, emotional dependence... or something else entirely?

In this episode of The Empty Cup, we explore devotion as "gratitude for Wisdom" and reflect on how to relate to teachers with both openness and discernment. How can we recognise the Wisdom that shines through someone without idealising the person? And what happens when teachers reveal their humanity—or fail to live up to our expectations?

A reflection on trust, perception, gratitude, and the delicate art of keeping the heart open without losing clarity.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> mindfulness meditation awareness presence contemplation buddhism inner peace reflection No The Heart of Sadness 5 5 The Heart of Sadness full 42d65754-9fcc-4a38-9b61-87e43d72282c https://share.transistor.fm/s/b3cae0a8 There is a kind of sadness that is not only about loss. When what we rely on falls away, something older is revealed—an underlying openness we usually try to cover. When we dare to face it, we develop the courage to remain open. Even when nothing is resolved. Even when nothing is promised. Even when life does not give us what we hoped for.
This episode explores what happens when we do not rush to fill that space, and how the ache, when met directly, can soften into a quiet tenderness.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> There is a kind of sadness that is not only about loss. When what we rely on falls away, something older is revealed—an underlying openness we usually try to cover. When we dare to face it, we develop the courage to remain open. Even when nothing is resolved. Even when nothing is promised. Even when life does not give us what we hoped for.
This episode explores what happens when we do not rush to fill that space, and how the ache, when met directly, can soften into a quiet tenderness.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> Tue, 19 May 2026 08:38:40 +0100 Tsering Paldron Tsering Paldron 623 There is a kind of sadness that is not only about loss. When what we rely on falls away, something older is revealed—an underlying openness we usually try to cover. When we dare to face it, we develop the courage to remain open. Even when nothing is resolved. Even when nothing is promised. Even when life does not give us what we hoped for.
This episode explores what happens when we do not rush to fill that space, and how the ache, when met directly, can soften into a quiet tenderness.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> mindfulness meditation awareness presence contemplation buddhism inner peace reflection No The eyelash in the eye 4 4 The eyelash in the eye full 42f475b7-a8bd-4689-9ad8-22afad9267bc https://share.transistor.fm/s/c8eb80e2 For some, the unease of being is barely noticeable. For others, it is immediate and intimate.

This episode explores that quiet, persistent ache—and what becomes possible when we stop trying to cover it, and begin to look more closely.

★ Support this podcast ★ ]]> For some, the unease of being is barely noticeable. For others, it is immediate and intimate.

This episode explores that quiet, persistent ache—and what becomes possible when we stop trying to cover it, and begin to look more closely.

★ Support this podcast ★ ]]> Mon, 04 May 2026 20:35:26 +0100 Tsering Paldron Tsering Paldron 689 For some, the unease of being is barely noticeable. For others, it is immediate and intimate.

This episode explores that quiet, persistent ache—and what becomes possible when we stop trying to cover it, and begin to look more closely.

★ Support this podcast ★ ]]> mindfulness meditation awareness presence contemplation buddhism inner peace reflection No Detachment 3 3 Detachment full 416ac26d-fa08-4241-84fd-7bb81859f1a1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9e190a5a Detachment is often misunderstood. It is not avoidance. Not indifference. Not a way of withdrawing after being hurt. It is not an excuse to escape commitment or responsibility. Detachment is closer to sovereignty. It arises naturally when we begin to live from within, rather than from the sense of being separate and incomplete. 

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> Detachment is often misunderstood. It is not avoidance. Not indifference. Not a way of withdrawing after being hurt. It is not an excuse to escape commitment or responsibility. Detachment is closer to sovereignty. It arises naturally when we begin to live from within, rather than from the sense of being separate and incomplete. 

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:44:20 +0100 Tsering Paldron Tsering Paldron 830 Detachment is often misunderstood. It is not avoidance. Not indifference. Not a way of withdrawing after being hurt. It is not an excuse to escape commitment or responsibility. Detachment is closer to sovereignty. It arises naturally when we begin to live from within, rather than from the sense of being separate and incomplete. 

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> mindfulness meditation awareness presence contemplation buddhism inner peace reflection No Letting Go 2 2 Letting Go full 9436419e-ca2c-4688-9783-f3b5fdb470e9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c009f76e We often think letting go is something we must do—an effort, a decision, a release. But what if letting go is not an action at all?
This episode explores a quieter possibility: that letting go happens when we stop trying to hold what was never ours to begin with.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> We often think letting go is something we must do—an effort, a decision, a release. But what if letting go is not an action at all?
This episode explores a quieter possibility: that letting go happens when we stop trying to hold what was never ours to begin with.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0100 Tsering Paldron Tsering Paldron 745 We often think letting go is something we must do—an effort, a decision, a release. But what if letting go is not an action at all?
This episode explores a quieter possibility: that letting go happens when we stop trying to hold what was never ours to begin with.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> mindfulness meditation awareness presence contemplation buddhism inner peace reflection No This is it 1 1 This is it full f1618014-cd5c-4a10-a026-f99682f4e042 https://share.transistor.fm/s/df31ac2e We live leaning forward — toward the next achievement, the next recognition, the next love. Even spiritual life can become another version of that leaning. We hope to become wiser, freer, more awakened. And in that hope, we keep contentment always postponed.

Waiting is a subtle addiction. At best, something we hoped for happens, and we feel briefly soothed. Then the habit returns. The search resumes. “This is it”, interrupts the momentum. It is not a grand realisation. Just a return. A reminder to inhabit the moment. Again and again.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> We live leaning forward — toward the next achievement, the next recognition, the next love. Even spiritual life can become another version of that leaning. We hope to become wiser, freer, more awakened. And in that hope, we keep contentment always postponed.

Waiting is a subtle addiction. At best, something we hoped for happens, and we feel briefly soothed. Then the habit returns. The search resumes. “This is it”, interrupts the momentum. It is not a grand realisation. Just a return. A reminder to inhabit the moment. Again and again.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> Sun, 22 Mar 2026 20:57:06 +0000 Tsering Paldron Tsering Paldron 846 We live leaning forward — toward the next achievement, the next recognition, the next love. Even spiritual life can become another version of that leaning. We hope to become wiser, freer, more awakened. And in that hope, we keep contentment always postponed.

Waiting is a subtle addiction. At best, something we hoped for happens, and we feel briefly soothed. Then the habit returns. The search resumes. “This is it”, interrupts the momentum. It is not a grand realisation. Just a return. A reminder to inhabit the moment. Again and again.

★ Support this podcast ★

]]> mindfulness meditation awareness presence contemplation buddhism inner peace reflection No