Reflections on Music, Tina Turner and Overcoming Obstacles

Today we’re speaking with Yuri Yamashita, of New York, about her career as a percussionist and how her Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her beat the odds and her own self-doubt to pave her own path in the industry. She was most recently the percussionist for the Tina Turner musical on Broadway, a remarkable coincidence because during moments of her own personal struggles, Tina Turner’s story and Buddhist practice was a great source of inspiration for Yuri.CHEAT SHEET1:08 How Yuri started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo4:32 What brought her to New York12:03 How chanting impacted her daily life 16:16 The challenges of being a freelance musician22:05 Why Tina Turner’s story inspired her so much32:11 Yuri’s favorite Buddhist concepts39:12 Advice for young musicians or freelancersReferencesHappiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your Life for Good, p. 107