Sangha Superstar Nirel Interview
Interview with Nirel Manalili, the first sangha superstar of the Spring 2021 semester
When did you pledge dbt and what was your experience like? I pledged DBT Fall 2020. The experience was eye opening because I learned more about buddhism and met the most compassionate people during my pledge.
How has dbt impacted your college experience/life? Joining DBT is something I would do all over again if I could. I’m soo proud to be a part of an empathic and open minded sangha that also shares the same common goals of learning about buddhism. In my last year of college, it has helped fulfill my personal and spiritual goals. DBT is an absolute gem.
How do you embody the heart of dbt in your daily life? I embody the heart of DBT in my daily life by always trying to do random acts of kindness and paying it forward.
What Buddhist teaching is your favorite and why? My favorite Buddhist teachings are learning about karma and the cause of suffering. The Buddhist teachings have given me a sense of relief in this lifetime; a clarity I never thought I would discover at this age. The actual Buddhist teachings are really different from what is perceived on social media and it was. great to learn from my sangha about these interpretations.
What does mindfulness mean to you? What mindfulness means to me is allowing myself to feel and acknowledge my emotions without judgement. DBT has helped me be mindful by doing meditations and discussions. It helps keep me on my toes and I have so much gratitude for DBT to allow me to build these great habits.
What is your favorite Dbt memory? My favorite DBT memory was doing the day of silence retreat with my pledge class. It was a beautiful experience to just coexist, meditate, and take a break on a Saturday morning.
