Best wishes for less Suffering, more Happiness with Good Health and Time to Enjoy it. Welcome to Chinese calendar 壬寅年 (Water Tiger) 4719 or 4659 to 癸卯年 (Water Rabbit) 4720 or 4660.
Sharing a timely aspiration:
"Your power is in your thoughts, so stay awake. In other words, remember to remember.”
Rhonda Byrne, Australian television writer and producer (1951- CE)
If having no reason to celebrate this month, here are 3 prepared earlier:
- 3 June: Mabo Day (Australia)
- 20 June: World Refugee Day (International)
- 21 June: International Day of Yoga (International)
This edition we visit Re:fuge – a place; an expressed sentiment and/or a state of mind. Or not. And its interplay.
Re:fuge = (Latin) Re: again; back; concentrated + fuge: cause to flee.
This literal definition will benefit from a little exploration.
Simplistically, a refuge is not a cause but a destination a refugee flees to. It might be a structure, teachings or experience that is perceived as being of comfort, strength, peace. It is an object that has some things the perceiver is lacking and wants or needs.
However, mostly if someone experiencing violence, unhappiness or fearfulness does not know there is an alternative, (or they believe the alternative is worse) they generally don't flee from a situation, or after leaving flee back to what is familiar. We can also add that we can know but do not believe its possible for me. Or we can believe but not feel its relevant/achievable.
The desirability of size, shape and offering of a Refuge can also become a 'Cause of fleeing'. The promise of refuge can be for right now, upon death and/or after this life. This email's Re:fuge means subjective and temporary individual things and the lasting compound totality. We only need Re:fuges while there is Suffering. The size and shape of the specific Suffering determines size and shape of Re:fuge needed to end that Suffering. Once we have Awakened Mind fully, the things that make up that Re:fuge are no longer needed on the individual level. Though the unawakened still have work to do.
With reference to 3rx :
So, in this sense:
Re:fuge =
3:
- Beginners: again:return
- Intermediates: now:make
- Advanced: hold:be
r:
- react to level of experience and prevailing clarity to situation, knowing that others have different experiences and clarity and may do something different. Driving motivation is for a benefit of individual increasing in numbers until it includes all.
x:
- without attachment to fixed-outcome. This frees us to respond to changing nature of things without wavering too much from the long term goal.
Read on intrepid Grabbers, and let's see what is to discover this edition. Subscribers decide if anything is useful.
Topics
- Guest Sings
- Stream Jives
- Wisdom Reconciles
- Media Writes
- TED Talks
- Music Challenges
- Acknowledgments
1. Guest Sings
Approx 5 min presentation
2. Street Jives
Approx 2 min presentation3. Wisdom Reconciles
- History on Maps: Mongol Empire vs Vietnam – Three times the Mongols were defeated in Vietnam (12 mins)
- Asian Boss: Street Interview: Kazakhstani React To One Of The Biggest Protests In Decades (21 mins)
- Odd Compass: How an Indian Merchant Became Cambodia's First King: a Story of Indianization (13 mins)
- CNA Insider: Can Singapore Reconcile Sexuality, Family & Faith? | Regardless Of Sexuality (48 mins)
- Knowledgia: The History Of The Philippines (11 mins)
4. Media Writes
Approx 5 min readsIntro
Elizabeth Flux explores childhood, living and loving when reviewing a new biography that is "Candid, intimate and sometimes shocking: Heather Mitchell tells her story” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Ali Gripper explores place, consistency and becoming are some reasons "‘She trusted me’: When a decades-long secret is shared between two friends” via The Brisbane Times
Garry Maddox explores love, competitiveness, injury, illness and ageing when discussing "The news that sent Matt Nable and his brothers on a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ Vegas trip” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Intra
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Bodies, Death and Sex with Johann Hari recalling a loyalty gesture that was "‘Helpful, but hideous’: How the writer gave up junk food” via WA Today
Jane Rocca chats with Chef Khanh Ong about relationships, loyalty, love and why "‘Monogamy seems unnatural to me’” via The Age
Kerri Sackville reflects upon safety, enjoyment and companionship when asking "The two questions I ask myself before I leave a relationship” via The Brisbane Times
Inter
Bryony Gordon explores feeling the lighter side of life revealing "The opposite of triggers: They’re ‘glimmers’ and they calm you down” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Ashley Beeby explores passion, interests and vocation when recounting why "Don’t you want to be a lawyer?’ I got an ATAR of 95 but chose to become a mechanic” via The Age
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Death, Bodies and Sex with Author Jeanette Winterson who says "‘Get over it – or die’: on her generation’s problem” via The Brisbane Times
Multi
Cara Waters and Patrick Hatch explores location, history and civilisation when "Buried treasure shows Flinders St clocks have been a meeting place for thousands of years” via The Age
Jake Wilson explores identity, cause and conviction recounting how "Meg Smaker fought fires and was held captive. Then came the real test” via WA Today
Sarah Bacaller explores childhood, diversity and peaceful coexistence when recounting how "I had no idea racism existed until I moved from Noble Park” via The Age
All
Dennis Altman explores history, migration and colonialisation when reviewing a new book of "Anger and conflict as Stan Grant reflects on monarchy in Australia” via The Brisbane Times
Emma Young explores growing understanding of environment, collaborative coexistence and sustaining ecosystems as "National marine oddity gets even stranger with discovery of tiny friend” via The Brisbane Times
Rebecca Peppiatt explores aspiration, connection and sunflowers through "The Perth artist spreading sunshine across the city” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Togather
Jon Faine explores identity, opposites and respecting diversity when calling to "Put awkwardness aside and break bread with those you disagree with” via The Age
James Button explores seeking refuge, building life and forging living recounting why "‘I’m a Blacktown boy’: Om’s left-field model for thriving migrants” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Evelyn Lewin explores the feeling of being more comfortable within one’s skin as reasons why "More than 1 million Aussies practise: Why yoga’s popularity is growing” via The Brisbane Times
Nobly
Mary Ward explores identity, student-centred diversion programming and personal development are some reasons "When John’s son is suspended from school, he usually plays video games. This time was different” via The Age
Jim Bright explores changing employer’s attitudes to workers, working and living when recounting "Sweet home: How Cadbury solved worker housing crisis issue a century ago” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Jack Manning Bancroft explores identity and collective consciousness when "The real referendum question is ‘How smart do I want my country to be?’” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Elizabeth Flux explores childhood, living and loving when reviewing a new biography that is "Candid, intimate and sometimes shocking: Heather Mitchell tells her story” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Ali Gripper explores place, consistency and becoming are some reasons "‘She trusted me’: When a decades-long secret is shared between two friends” via The Brisbane Times
Garry Maddox explores love, competitiveness, injury, illness and ageing when discussing "The news that sent Matt Nable and his brothers on a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ Vegas trip” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Intra
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Bodies, Death and Sex with Johann Hari recalling a loyalty gesture that was "‘Helpful, but hideous’: How the writer gave up junk food” via WA Today
Jane Rocca chats with Chef Khanh Ong about relationships, loyalty, love and why "‘Monogamy seems unnatural to me’” via The Age
Kerri Sackville reflects upon safety, enjoyment and companionship when asking "The two questions I ask myself before I leave a relationship” via The Brisbane Times
Inter
Bryony Gordon explores feeling the lighter side of life revealing "The opposite of triggers: They’re ‘glimmers’ and they calm you down” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Ashley Beeby explores passion, interests and vocation when recounting why "Don’t you want to be a lawyer?’ I got an ATAR of 95 but chose to become a mechanic” via The Age
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Death, Bodies and Sex with Author Jeanette Winterson who says "‘Get over it – or die’: on her generation’s problem” via The Brisbane Times
Multi
Cara Waters and Patrick Hatch explores location, history and civilisation when "Buried treasure shows Flinders St clocks have been a meeting place for thousands of years” via The Age
Jake Wilson explores identity, cause and conviction recounting how "Meg Smaker fought fires and was held captive. Then came the real test” via WA Today
Sarah Bacaller explores childhood, diversity and peaceful coexistence when recounting how "I had no idea racism existed until I moved from Noble Park” via The Age
All
Dennis Altman explores history, migration and colonialisation when reviewing a new book of "Anger and conflict as Stan Grant reflects on monarchy in Australia” via The Brisbane Times
Emma Young explores growing understanding of environment, collaborative coexistence and sustaining ecosystems as "National marine oddity gets even stranger with discovery of tiny friend” via The Brisbane Times
Rebecca Peppiatt explores aspiration, connection and sunflowers through "The Perth artist spreading sunshine across the city” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Togather
Jon Faine explores identity, opposites and respecting diversity when calling to "Put awkwardness aside and break bread with those you disagree with” via The Age
James Button explores seeking refuge, building life and forging living recounting why "‘I’m a Blacktown boy’: Om’s left-field model for thriving migrants” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Evelyn Lewin explores the feeling of being more comfortable within one’s skin as reasons why "More than 1 million Aussies practise: Why yoga’s popularity is growing” via The Brisbane Times
Nobly
Mary Ward explores identity, student-centred diversion programming and personal development are some reasons "When John’s son is suspended from school, he usually plays video games. This time was different” via The Age
Jim Bright explores changing employer’s attitudes to workers, working and living when recounting "Sweet home: How Cadbury solved worker housing crisis issue a century ago” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Jack Manning Bancroft explores identity and collective consciousness when "The real referendum question is ‘How smart do I want my country to be?’” via The Sydney Morning Herald
5. TED Talks
5-20 min presentations- Murat Dalkilinç: The benefits of good posture (5 mins)
- Alex Gendler: Can you outsmart this logical fallacy? (4 mins)
- Damion Searls: How does the Rorschach inkblot test work? (5 mins)
- Christopher Danielson: One is one ... or is it? (4 mins)
- Aparna Rao: Art that craves your attention (9 mins)
6. Music Challenges
Approx 30 min presentation + reflection timesIf desired, a short selection of publicly available material on a chosen theme for personal reflection.
For best results, sit comfortably with a straight back, have headphones in a shared space, after each clicked link, allow a little reflection with your personally-held view before clicking on the next link.
Get ready to Reflect!
Choose your playing level:
Be introduced at 1.
Be soothed at 2-4.
Be shocked at 5.
Be inspired at 6.
Fuller illumination 1-6.
You be the judge. Or not.
Cryptic Clue:
What is a present to sustainable relationships?
- Inspire
- Perspire
- Collaborate
- Engage: Test for personal circumstances, if useful keep, if unuseful discard, if exceeds needs, share mindfully
- Endure: Adapt for present times without sacrificing intent
- Endear: (Inspiring Others To Tend the Flame) live/ demonstrate/ inspire/ teach experience with others
ratify
[rah'tih’fye]
From late Middle English: from Old French ratifier, from medieval Latin ratificare, from Latin ratus = fixed, reckoned
verb
- sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or agreement), making it officially valid. Ie, both countries were due to ratify the treaty by the end of the year.
satisfy
[sah’tis’fye]
From late Middle English: from Old French satisfier, formed irregularly from Latin satisfacere = to content, from satis = enough + facere = make.
verb
- meet the expectations, needs, or desires of (someone). Ie, I have never been satisfied with my job.
- fulfil (a desire or need). Ie, social services is trying to satisfy the needs of so many different groups.
- adequately meet or comply with (a condition, obligation, or demand). Ie, the whole team is working flat out to satisfy demand.
- pay off (a debt or creditor). Ie, there was insufficient collateral to satisfy the loan.
- provide (someone) with adequate or convincing information or proof about something. Ie, people need to be satisfied that the environmental assessments are accurate. Ie, the chief engineer satisfied himself that it was not a weapon.
- (Mathematics) of a quantity, make an equation true.
dissastisfy
[dis’sa’tis’fye]
From late Middle English: from Old French satisfier, formed irregularly from Latin dis- = prefix expressing negation; denoting reversal or absence of an action or state; denoting removal, separation or expulsion of something; expressing completeness or intensification of an unpleasant or unattractive action + satisfacere = to content, from satis = enough + facere = make.
- fail to satisfy (someone). Ie, what is it about these words that dissatisfies you?
sanctify
[sank’tih’fye]
From late Middle English: from Old French saintifier (influenced later by sanctifier), from ecclesiastical Latin sanctificare, from Latin sanctus = holy.
verb
- set apart as or declare holy; consecrate. Ie, a small shrine was built to sanctify the site.
- make legitimate or binding by a religious ceremony. Ie, their love is sanctified by the sacrament of marriage.
- free from sin; purify. Ie, may God sanctify their soul.
- cause to be or seem morally right or acceptable. Ie, ancient customs that are sanctified by tradition.
Optional
-- Chant Mantrastyle
Start today.
As the case may be.
Or not.
7. Acknowledgments
Reconciliation
Acknowledging traditional inhabitants of Cities of Port Phillip and Glen Eira are the Boon Wurrung, Bunurong and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation. Respect is offered to past, present and future elders of all spiritual traditions. May we find together a generous way to accommodate those in need of refuge. Let us be cool, strive individually and together to overcome inequality, violence, disengagement, tragedy and injustice wherever it may be. Let us honour, savor and enjoy results of mindful effort so more thrive peacefully with less effort in our place called home.Invitation to Support Content Creators
The music/stories/videos have been sourced from public domain. If you like any of the content, please consider buying directly from online marketplaces to support creators and truth telling in the public interest.Caretaker Disclosure
Words and concepts are conditional things that point to a 'reflection of experience'. They are limited and do not adequately describe the 'full lived experience'. Like the moon's reflection on a lake's surface, it is not the moon, nor the experience of gazing up at the darkened sky transformed by the presence of a full moon. It is in the eyes/ears/nose/mouth/touch/cognisance of the beholder.This curation is an interpretation of the universal basis of re:lig:ion (Latin = again:uniting:energy) or bodhicitta (Sanskrit = Awakening Consciousness). This email invites a sharing of countless thoughts, words and actions wishing, causing and receiving less Suffering and more Happiness. For benefit initially of the individual increasing in beneficiaries until it includes all across the 3 times and 10 directions. Or not. As each case may be.
It is not personal, it just the way things are.
