The Ardent Axiom: Recent Episodes
Kephen Merancis
I am a Mahayana Buddhist and writer living in the heartland of America. I grew up on a farm and spent a large amount of time outside and in the woods, a childhood I would not trade for anything.
I am the founder of The Ardent Axiom, a platform and podcast for mental health understanding and Mahayana Buddhist teachings. I am a behavioral health advocate, a certified peer specialist, and a professional development instructor. I read and write about various topics including Buddhism, suicide awareness and prevention, nature, astronomy, genealogy, behavioral health and psychology, environmentalism, politics, as well as some fictional writing.
I've been writing since the year 2000, after a teacher encouraged me to never stop. I am inspired by the works of Thich Nhat Hanh, Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, Ralph Emerson, Henry Thoreau, Marcus Aurelius, Viktor Frankl, Jane Goodall, Kahlil Gibran, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and the list goes on.
In this episode of the Ardent Axiom I reflect on how important hope is in the journey of recovery, as well as the other factors that aid in the process of healing after a mental health crisis or struggle with a substance use disorder.
To learn more about The Ardent Axiom, or to follow on social media:
On the Web - https://merancis.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/ardentaxiom/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ardentaxiom/
YouTube – https://youtube.com/user/kmerancis
MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE / Eitan Epstein Music
License Purchase ID: edc722d8-c822-4573-a2a9-c377bd2109c1
In this episode of The Ardent Axiom I reflect on the important connection between Buddhism and nature, and what it teaches us about the perception of self.
To learn more about The Ardent Axiom, or to follow on social media:
On the Web - https://merancis.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/ardentaxiom/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ardentaxiom/
--- MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE / Eitan Epstein Music License Purchase ID: edc722d8-c822-4573-a2a9-c377bd2109c1
In this episode of the Ardent Axiom I discuss the Diamond Sutra, the "diamond that cuts through illusion." It is one of many sacred scriptures in the Prajnaparamita (perfection of wisdom), and this episode is part one in a series on the collection of sutra.
To learn more about The Ardent Axiom, or to follow on social media:
On the Web - https://merancis.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/ardentaxiom/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ardentaxiom/
--- MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE / Eitan Epstein Music License Purchase ID: edc722d8-c822-4573-a2a9-c377bd2109c1
In this episode of the Ardent Axiom I reflect on a true story from the state of Maine. This story is about a high school senior who seemed to have everything, essentially he appeared to have the perfect life. Despite this image of perfection, his life went in a direction that no one expected, changing the lives of everyone he knew forever.
To learn more about The Ardent Axiom, or to follow on social media:
On the Web - https://merancis.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/ardentaxiom/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ardentaxiom/
--- MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE / Eitan Epstein Music License Purchase ID: edc722d8-c822-4573-a2a9-c377bd2109c1
In this episode of The Ardent Axiom I talk about the recovery process that has worked for me. I explain the strategies and practices that have helped get me through my toughest experiences with a behavioral health condition.
To learn more about The Ardent Axiom, or to follow on social media:
On the Web - https://merancis.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/ardentaxiom/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ardentaxiom/
--- MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE / Eitan Epstein Music License Purchase ID: edc722d8-c822-4573-a2a9-c377bd2109c1
In this episode of The Ardent Axiom I take a walk down memory lane and recall the things that shaped my childhood.
To learn more about The Ardent Axiom, or to follow on social media:
On the Web - https://merancis.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/ardentaxiom/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ardentaxiom/
--- MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE / Eitan Epstein Music License Purchase ID: edc722d8-c822-4573-a2a9-c377bd2109c1
In this episode of The Ardent Axiom I reflect on how the people we have loved and lost are still within the Universe, still alive, just in another place in time.
To learn more about The Ardent Axiom, or to follow on social media:
On the Web - https://merancis.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/ardentaxiom/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ardentaxiom/
--- MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE / Eitan Epstein Music License Purchase ID: edc722d8-c822-4573-a2a9-c377bd2109c1
In this episode of The Ardent Axiom I discuss how important it is to acknowledge other human beings, as we never know how much pain and suffering they may be experiencing behind the beautiful smile they present to us.
To learn more about The Ardent Axiom, or to follow on social media:
On the Web - https://merancis.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/ardentaxiom/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ardentaxiom/
--- MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE / Eitan Epstein Music License Purchase ID: edc722d8-c822-4573-a2a9-c377bd2109c1
In this episode of The Ardent Axiom I reflect on the mortality of my own existence and why I make a conscious choice to try to live with the same mindset we all once had as children - a curiosity and a zest for life.
To learn more about The Ardent Axiom, or to follow on social media:
On the Web - https://merancis.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/ardentaxiom/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ardentaxiom/
--- MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE / Eitan Epstein Music License Purchase ID: edc722d8-c822-4573-a2a9-c377bd2109c1
In this episode of The Ardent Axiom I propose a stronger practice of mindfulness by focusing on the rarity of life and how inexplicably we have come into existence.
To learn more about The Ardent Axiom, or to follow on social media:
On the Web - https://merancis.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/ardentaxiom/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ardentaxiom/
--- MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE / Eitan Epstein Music License Purchase ID: edc722d8-c822-4573-a2a9-c377bd2109c1
In this episode of The Ardent Axiom I poetically describe the moment I stopped pretending to be someone I wasn't, I let go of what had been haunting me, and made the terrifying and difficult choice to live as my true self - with all the flaws and all the fears that comes with living one's true nature.
To learn more about The Ardent Axiom, or to follow on social media:
On the Web - https://merancis.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/ardentaxiom/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ardentaxiom/
--- MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE / Eitan Epstein Music License Purchase ID: edc722d8-c822-4573-a2a9-c377bd2109c1
In this episode of the Ardent Axiom podcast I talk about the importance of aloneness and how it differs from loneliness. Solitude and silence are important factors for our well-being and they are becoming ever-increasingly difficult to find in our current world of distractions.
To learn more about The Ardent Axiom, or to follow on social media:
On the Web - https://merancis.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/ardentaxiom/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ardentaxiom/
--- MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE / Eitan Epstein Music License Purchase ID: edc722d8-c822-4573-a2a9-c377bd2109c1
In this episode of The Ardent Axiom podcast I explain the Buddhist teaching of samsara.
To learn more about The Ardent Axiom, or to follow on social media:
On the Web - https://merancis.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/ardentaxiom/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ardentaxiom/
--- MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE / Eitan Epstein Music License Purchase ID: edc722d8-c822-4573-a2a9-c377bd2109c1
In this episode I talk about my experiences with depression and my journey to understand myself and the process of healing.
To learn more about The Ardent Axiom, or to follow on social media:
On the Web - https://merancis.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/ardentaxiom/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ardentaxiom/
--- MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE / Eitan Epstein Music License Purchase ID: edc722d8-c822-4573-a2a9-c377bd2109c1
If you or someone you know in the USA needs help:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) Provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources, and best practices for professionals. Spanish and hearing impaired communication available.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) Free, confidential, 24/7 (even holidays), treatment referral and information service (English and Spanish), for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use issues.
- SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) Provides 24/7 (even holidays) assistance with crisis counseling and support for people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call or text options available.
- Crisis Text Line (text the word HELLO to 741741) Trained Crisis Counselors who volunteer their time to provide 24/7, free and confidential support for people in crisis, utilizing active listening and collaborative problem solving.
- The Trevor Project (1-866-488-7386) A 24/7 resource for LGBT youth struggling with a crisis or suicidal thoughts. The line is staffed by trained counselors.
In this episode of the Ardent Axiom we explore the history and tenets of Buddhism at an introductory level. This is the beginning of a series on Buddhist beliefs and practices. Stay tuned for future episodes on monastic ordination, nature and Buddhism, Prajnaparamita, and more.
To learn more about The Ardent Axiom, or to follow on social media:
On the Web - https://merancis.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/ardentaxiom/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ardentaxiom/
--- MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE / Eitan Epstein Music License Purchase ID: edc722d8-c822-4573-a2a9-c377bd2109c1
Welcome to The Ardent Axiom podcast. This platform exists to shed light on the topics of Buddhism and behavioral health, but is also used to explore other topics.
To learn more about The Ardent Axiom, or to follow on social media:
On the Web - https://merancis.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/ardentaxiom/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ardentaxiom/
--- MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE / Eitan Epstein Music License Purchase ID: edc722d8-c822-4573-a2a9-c377bd2109c1