[Edited extract from public address]
Best wishes for less Suffering, more Happiness with Good Health and Time to Enjoy it.
Welcome to Thai solar calendar 2567.Sharing a timely aspiration:“Rebel Talk: Readiness, Empathy, Be curious, Engage attention and Lead the way.”
Jane Hutcheon, Hong Kong born Australian journalist, author
If having no reason to celebrate this month, here are 3 prepared earlier:
- 4 January: World Braille Day (International)
- 24 January: International Day of Education (International)
- 26 January: Australia Day / Australia Day Victoria / Invasion Day / Day of Mourning / Survival Day (Australia)
This edition, we revisit an Ancient Indian concept of Refuge and different ways to look at it.
Usual conditions apply: words and concepts are conditional things that point to a 'reflection of experience'. They are limited and do not adequately describe the 'fuller reality'. Like the moon's reflection on a lake's surface, the reflection is not the lake and not the moon. The reflection is illusory and dependent on conditions like clear sky and still surface of the water. If clouds or waves are present, the reflection is changed while the actual moon remains unchanged high above the clouds and other atmospheric conditions.
Impermanent Definition
The definition of refuge changes depending on conditions subject to change as conditions change. Some are listed here:
- our starting point in this life,
- current clarity,
- our current needs,
- anticipated future needs, and
- ripening Kamma/Karma/Causality (Pali/Sanskrit/English) – consequences from previous thoughts, words and actions.
Beginners:
Refuge is a 'place' where we feel valued, loved and safe. For the benefit of ourselves. It might be a memory, saying, person or group. If don't already have a refuge, find one – a refuge is useful as a 'you' plan in uncertain times.
Intermediates:
Refuge is a 'place' we make. Ourselves and those in our company feel valued, loved and safe. It might be a presence, resources, service or group. If haven't already made a refuge, make one – a refuge is very useful as a 'me' plan in certain and uncertain times.
Advanced:
Refuge is a 'place' we give or are. Ourselves and those in and out of our company feel valued, loved and safe. It might be leadership, skill, generosity or inclusiveness. If not already a refuge, act like one. A refuge is useful as a 'we' plan in all times until full realization when acting is no longer necessary, the state is lasting. (The time is always certain. There is only one moment, this moment, resulting from beginningless beginnings and full of unrealised potential.)
Remember: information may contain misunderstandings, deliberate omissions and complete fabrications. Accept nothing blindly. Test for usefulness: if useful keep; adapt for personal circumstances if necessary; or if unuseful discard. Be your own guiding light.
Read on intrepid Mixers, and let's see what is to discover this edition. Subscribers decide if anything is useful.
Topics
1. Guest Sings
Approx 5 min presentation
2. Street Jives
Approx 2 min presentation
3. Wisdom Reconciles
- ABC | Unknown Australia - This Tower Is One Of The World's Rarest Clocks (7 mins)
- CNA Insider | Insight: Why These American Men Are Seeking Love In Asia: The Rise Of Passport Bros (48 mins)
- Ben Moodie - 2024 Deadly Funny National Grand Final (5 mins)
- ABC 7.30: This support system for women fleeing violence has a 98 per cent safe exit rate (6 mins)
- Gay Catholics: Ask These 5 Questions to Find Peace (30 mins)
4. Media Writes
Approx 5 min readsIntro
Mic Looby explores mathematics, having children and becoming a parent when "At 51, I thought I was done with children. Life disagreed” via The Age
Jane Rocca explores gender, presentation and exploration reflecting how "She found fame looking for love, but at 55, Elizabeth Gilbert is happily single” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Melissa Coburn explores constancy, continuity and collective reflecting how "Our twins are suddenly grown-ups. My own transition from school will be much harder” via WA Today
Intra
Louis Wang explores childhood, learning and adventure recounting how "My teacher and I kept this secret for decades: she saved my life” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Konrad Marshall explores gender, adventure and endeavour recounting how these "Mum and daughter sailors were together 24/7 for two months – and had only ‘one tiff’” via WA Today
Anson Cameron explores spirituality, colonialism and reconciliation reflecting why "My friend would have hated what was said at his funeral” via The Age
Inter
Alex Tanzi explores mortality, timing, and love, actuary in "The ‘death clock’ that predicts the day you’ll die” via The Brisbane Times
Roby D’Ottavi explores consumerism, virtual and reality recounting how "My wrong-sized shoes and the perverse problem with online shopping” via The Age
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Bodies, Sex and Politics with Tim Winton who "met his wife Denise when he was nine. What’s their secret?” via WA Today
Multi
Jenny Valentish explores curiosity, documenting and exposition with David Farrier - “The filmmaker with nothing to lose isn’t afraid of being sued” via WA Today
Belinda Jackson explores discovery, delights and proximity in "Just 45 minutes from central Melbourne, get a taste of an off-limits country” via The Age
Marta Pascual Juanola explores overcoming distance, gathering with purpose and celebrating diversity when "‘There’s a lot of us out there’: The people celebrating Christmas solo” via The Age
All
Kylie Northover explores origin, species and story telling with Alice Roberts in "Where do we come from? Find out from the woman who makes science easy” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Boudicca Fox-Leonard explores ongoing suffering, symptoms and treatment when "It has no cure, but this doctor believes he has an answer to chronic fatigue” via The Age
Kerrie O’Brien explores race, identity and racism with "Louise Adler on fear, freedom and the appalling state of public discourse” via The Brisbane Times
Togather
Fenella Souter explores migration, obstacles and overcoming recounting how "‘She was looking after four medical students: three children and me!’” via The Age
Benjamin Preiss explores community, commemorating and gather for "Festival of Lights much needed for Melbourne’s Jewish community” via The Age
Lachlan Abbott and Debbie Cuthbertson salute the life, times and legacy or "Acclaimed Australian author John Marsden dies aged 74” via The Age
Nobly
Will Cox explores place, people and legacy when "‘This is for all Australians’: Invaluable Aboriginal cultural collection reunited at Melbourne University” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Catherine Strohfeldt explores gathering, purpose and passion in "Singin’ in the rain: Pub Choir draws 7000 songbirds to Riverstage” via The Brisbane Times
Jacqueline Maley explores people, place and purpose in how "Miriam wanted to be a pro golfer. Instead, she’s an executive on a $26,000 salary” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Mic Looby explores mathematics, having children and becoming a parent when "At 51, I thought I was done with children. Life disagreed” via The Age
Jane Rocca explores gender, presentation and exploration reflecting how "She found fame looking for love, but at 55, Elizabeth Gilbert is happily single” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Melissa Coburn explores constancy, continuity and collective reflecting how "Our twins are suddenly grown-ups. My own transition from school will be much harder” via WA Today
Intra
Louis Wang explores childhood, learning and adventure recounting how "My teacher and I kept this secret for decades: she saved my life” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Konrad Marshall explores gender, adventure and endeavour recounting how these "Mum and daughter sailors were together 24/7 for two months – and had only ‘one tiff’” via WA Today
Anson Cameron explores spirituality, colonialism and reconciliation reflecting why "My friend would have hated what was said at his funeral” via The Age
Inter
Alex Tanzi explores mortality, timing, and love, actuary in "The ‘death clock’ that predicts the day you’ll die” via The Brisbane Times
Roby D’Ottavi explores consumerism, virtual and reality recounting how "My wrong-sized shoes and the perverse problem with online shopping” via The Age
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Bodies, Sex and Politics with Tim Winton who "met his wife Denise when he was nine. What’s their secret?” via WA Today
Multi
Jenny Valentish explores curiosity, documenting and exposition with David Farrier - “The filmmaker with nothing to lose isn’t afraid of being sued” via WA Today
Belinda Jackson explores discovery, delights and proximity in "Just 45 minutes from central Melbourne, get a taste of an off-limits country” via The Age
Marta Pascual Juanola explores overcoming distance, gathering with purpose and celebrating diversity when "‘There’s a lot of us out there’: The people celebrating Christmas solo” via The Age
All
Kylie Northover explores origin, species and story telling with Alice Roberts in "Where do we come from? Find out from the woman who makes science easy” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Boudicca Fox-Leonard explores ongoing suffering, symptoms and treatment when "It has no cure, but this doctor believes he has an answer to chronic fatigue” via The Age
Kerrie O’Brien explores race, identity and racism with "Louise Adler on fear, freedom and the appalling state of public discourse” via The Brisbane Times
Togather
Fenella Souter explores migration, obstacles and overcoming recounting how "‘She was looking after four medical students: three children and me!’” via The Age
Benjamin Preiss explores community, commemorating and gather for "Festival of Lights much needed for Melbourne’s Jewish community” via The Age
Lachlan Abbott and Debbie Cuthbertson salute the life, times and legacy or "Acclaimed Australian author John Marsden dies aged 74” via The Age
Nobly
Will Cox explores place, people and legacy when "‘This is for all Australians’: Invaluable Aboriginal cultural collection reunited at Melbourne University” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Catherine Strohfeldt explores gathering, purpose and passion in "Singin’ in the rain: Pub Choir draws 7000 songbirds to Riverstage” via The Brisbane Times
Jacqueline Maley explores people, place and purpose in how "Miriam wanted to be a pro golfer. Instead, she’s an executive on a $26,000 salary” via The Sydney Morning Herald
5. TED Talks
5-20 min presentations- Vernā Myers: How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them (18 mins)
- Molly Graham: Forget the corporate ladder — winners take risks (10 mins)
- Itay Talgam: Lead like the great conductors (25 mins)
- Vidhya Ramalingam: The real-world danger of online myths (15 mins)
- Iseult Gillespie: The curse of the monkey's paw (3 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:
- 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
This challenge is illustrating euphemism, dysphemism, pessimism, optimism & outlook.
illustrating
[ih’luh’strayte’ing]
From early 16th century = illuminate, shed light on: from Latin illustrat- = lit up, from the verb illustrare, from in- = upon + lustrare = illuminate.
verb
euphemism
[you’phehm'isim]
From late 16th century: from Greek euphēmismos, from euphēmizein = use auspicious words, from eu = well + phēmē = speaking, speech, voice, reputation + -ismos, -isma = suffix denoting an action or its result; denoting a state or quality; denoting a system, principle, or ideological movement; denoting a basis for prejudice or discrimination; denoting a peculiarity in language; denoting a pathological condition
noun
dysphemism
[dis’phehm'isim
From late 16th century: from Greek dysphemism, from dys = miss + phēmē = speaking, speech, voice, reputation + -ismos, -isma = suffix denoting an action or its result; denoting a state or quality; denoting a system, principle, or ideological movement; denoting a basis for prejudice or discrimination; denoting a peculiarity in language; denoting a pathological condition
noun
pessimism
[pes’sihm’isim]
From late 18th century: from Latin pessimus = worst
noun
optimism
[op’tihm’isim]
From mid 18th century: from French optimisme, from Latin optimum = best thing
noun
outlook
[out’look]
From Old English out of Germanic origin ūt (adverb), ūtian (verb); related to Dutch uit and German aus + look = gaze, appearance and view
Perhaps influenced by Chinese 外表 = outside + surface with same etymology as Cantonese outlook.
noun
[ih’luh’strayte’ing]
From early 16th century = illuminate, shed light on: from Latin illustrat- = lit up, from the verb illustrare, from in- = upon + lustrare = illuminate.
verb
- provide (a book, newspaper, etc.) with pictures. Ie, the guide is illustrated with full-colour photographs.
- explain or make (something) clear by using examples, charts, pictures, etc. Ie, the results are illustrated in Figure 7.
- serve as an example of. Ie, the Grand Final illustrated what high standards our players must achieve through the season.
euphemism
[you’phehm'isim]
From late 16th century: from Greek euphēmismos, from euphēmizein = use auspicious words, from eu = well + phēmē = speaking, speech, voice, reputation + -ismos, -isma = suffix denoting an action or its result; denoting a state or quality; denoting a system, principle, or ideological movement; denoting a basis for prejudice or discrimination; denoting a peculiarity in language; denoting a pathological condition
noun
- a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. Ie, the jargon has given us ‘downsizing’ as a euphemism for cuts.
dysphemism
[dis’phehm'isim
From late 16th century: from Greek dysphemism, from dys = miss + phēmē = speaking, speech, voice, reputation + -ismos, -isma = suffix denoting an action or its result; denoting a state or quality; denoting a system, principle, or ideological movement; denoting a basis for prejudice or discrimination; denoting a peculiarity in language; denoting a pathological condition
noun
- a derogatory, unpleasant or unusal term used instead of a pleasant, neutral or usual one. The opposite of euphemism.
pessimism
[pes’sihm’isim]
From late 18th century: from Latin pessimus = worst
noun
- a tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen. Ie, the dispute cast an air of deep pessimism over the future of the peace talks.
- (Philosophy) a belief that this world is as bad as it could be or that evil will ultimately prevail over good.
optimism
[op’tihm’isim]
From mid 18th century: from French optimisme, from Latin optimum = best thing
noun
- hopefulness and confidence about the future or the success of something. Ie, the talks had been amicable and there were grounds for optimism.
- (Philosophy) the doctrine, especially as set forth by Leibniz, that this world is the best of all possible worlds.
- the belief that good must ultimately prevail over evil in the universe.
outlook
[out’look]
From Old English out of Germanic origin ūt (adverb), ūtian (verb); related to Dutch uit and German aus + look = gaze, appearance and view
Perhaps influenced by Chinese 外表 = outside + surface with same etymology as Cantonese outlook.
noun
- a person's point of view or general attitude to life. Ie, they had a practical outlook on life.
- a view. Ie, the pleasant outlook from the window.
- a place from which a view is possible. Ie, a vantage point.
- the prospect for the future. Ie, the deteriorating economic outlook. Ie, the outlook for tomorrow is dry and cold.
[Practice]
7. Acknowledgments
Reconciliation
Acknowledging traditional inhabitants of Cities of Port Phillip and Glen Eira are the Boon Wurrung, Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung 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 is just the way things are.
