[Edited extract from public address]
Tashi Delek!
A traditional Tibetan expression used for all occasions in greeting, congratulation, and wishing good fortune.
May this find you well and kindly treated. Welcome to Roman Calendar Year MMXXVI as we proceed into Gregorian New Year 2026.
Recapping that in a globalised world, this Gregorian calendar is increasingly known as Common Era (CE), but let us also consider how “New Year" depends on the country of origin, ethnic background or calendar of the people.
For example: In countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Lao, the new year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April. In countries China, Korea and Vietnam celebrations are late January or early February according to the lunar calendar, whilst Tibetans usually celebrate about one month later.
"Life is a hard battle anyway. If we laugh and sing a little as we fight the good fight of freedom, it makes it all go easier. I will not allow my life's light to be determined by the darkness around me.” – Sojourner Truth, American abolitionist and activist for African-American civil rights, women's rights, and alcohol temperance (died 1883 CE)
So, with this spirit in mind, the following is offered.
Every day one wakes with a pulse is good news. It means there is a possibility to be loving, to be loved or in love. When our own cup is full or overflowing and we know not everyone has the same privilege, it is easier to grow beneficiaries until including all. This is good news.
As humans, we tend to be blind to the things out of sight out of mind. With internet, we can now reach across the world with a few clicks, be informed, be educated or be outraged. If channeled mindfully, information can be turned into knowledge, education can be turned into practice, and outrage can be turned into wisdom. This is good news.
Seeking purpose in one’s life use to mean special places at special times doing special things. Overcoming the tyranny of distance, remoteness and isolation, communication methods like internet, social media and online video can connect us with our passions, supportive groups or family reconciliations. This is good news.
Or not.
Every life is fragile, precious and easily lost. People discriminate, old age, sickness or death doesn’t. It is easy to believe there is a global pandemic of confusion, desires, anger, envy, poor impulse control and self-interest. Enabled by but not limited to social media, the freedoms, rights and privileges of our modern time make it easier to seem hopeless.
Yet it is always darkest before the dawn.
The dark old boundaries of division are slowly dissolving to the dawn of negotiations, reconciliations and love-songs between ideologies and others: citizens and their Governments, commercial and privates, wealth to poverty, manufacturers to consumerism, neighbour to neighbourly, family to familiar, individual to collectivising. Each of us have a role, capacity and opportunity to contribute or collaborate in unifying our small pieces of the world in common benefit with unlimited potential. This is good news.
Or not.
We are also growing our understanding of how insecurity, activity and citizen-journalism can easily be hijacked, weaponised and escalated to ferment, fuel and fund anxiety, hatred and sorrows. A loud speaker projection vomiting disadvantages, conspiracies and inequalities to validate, permit and excuse violence playing out in the homes, religions and societies near and far. The good news is that change is constant and, as a result, every thing is Impermanent.
Or not.
No thing arises of/by itself. It has happened because conditions pre-existed. Things stay because conditions agree. Things change because conditions change causing a different result. This is sometimes known as Dependent Origination, Conditioned Existence, Cause and Effect or Sanskrit Karma.
The past has happened and explains how we got to this moment. The future is unknown and has unlimited possibilities but is influenced by what we do in the present moment. So in the present, in the now, is the most useful and best place to be, because this is where the realisable potential is. Beneficial thoughts, speech and activity cause beneficial results.
Many hands make Light work.
Start here. Sorry for the Sufferings: misogyny, racism, homophobia, violence, armed conflict, famine, inequity and disadvantage et all. May all those in Suffering have less Suffering.
Know that every and unlimited Suffering has at its root cause Ignorance. The good news is that there is a time-tested antidote, known in many places, by many names, in many languages. We’ll call it here Wisdom.
For every Ignorance, there is a Wisdom. Turn. Turning. Turned.
For example, the Suffering of Information-overload has little understood antidotes of “if it has an on switch, it might have a volume control so turn it down, or it most definitely has an off switch so turn it off.” This personal agency Wisdom is also known as Discernment.
With Wisdom of Diligence, referring to history books shows us humanity has faced such difficulties before. The behaviours may have been known as lying, gossiping, and cheating. Coupled with the Wisdom of Ethics, the enduring victor is always truth, reconciliation and collective benefits. Our existence today is living proof. It continues the endearing human legacy around the world of wanting to live with less Suffering, to be able to make personal choices freely with a civic responsibility and love and be loved unconditionally.
With the Wisdom of Equanimity, we stay calm, cool and collected. Resisting the pulls and pushes from those, surroundings and agents of absolutism and its offspring divisiveness, denialism and destruction. Between two opposing absolutes is the Middle Way. Choose to cultivate, radiate and gravitate greater understanding, celebrating diversity, and embodying peaceful coexistence.
And when the personal embodiment of grace and goodwill towards self and others gets easier, extend it to your other/opponent/enemy. This Wisdom of Loving Kindness helps us feel at-home in our identity, fostering and nurturing diversity of connections and sustaining belonging within a wider collective.
When this gets easier, with the Wisdom of Compassion, surpluses arise with the increasing of beneficiaries until including all. Not because we are told, just because to do anything else seems illogical, unsporting or spiteful.
Best wishes and every success to all the many individuals, families, first-responders and Organisations steering humanity through difficult times. Thank you for being part of this ongoing big bold blue-planet experiment, received with gratitude.
“May all beings have happiness,
May all beings be free from suffering,
May all beings feel an ocean of happiness and joy
And may we live with the good heart
Feeling close to all.”
We’ll end with a traditional Ancient Indian Pali expression used to indicate “good", “excellent" or “good fortune". Or in Ancient Indian Sanskrit to mean "straight, right, leading straight to the goal” or "reaching one's goal”.
Sadhu. Sadhu. Sadhu.
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.
Topics List
1. Guest Sings
Approx 5 min presentation
2. Street Jives
Approx 2 min presentation
3. Wisdom Reconciles
- 2025 Deadly Funny National Grand Final: Kevin Kropinyeri (4 mins)
- Lawrence Herbert: The King of Color (2 mins)
- BBC Global: The funniest wildlife photos of 2025 (3 mins)
- ABC News: This Aussie invention is bringing the sea back to life (7 mins)
- Yinya dana: lighting the path | The music and legacy of Deborah Cheetham Fraillon with MSO (103 mins)
4. Media Writes
Approx 5 min readsThuy On explores gender, ethnicity and creativity when reviewing a new book by "Zadie Smith on creativity, politics and falling out of a window” via The Brisbane Times
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Bodies, Money and Politics with Nat Thaipun who reveals "The two costly foods this cookbook author can’t stand (and the cheap one she adores)” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Michael Idato explores identity, connection and sustainability recounting "‘I’m like, ugh’: Why Sigourney Weaver sometimes hates looking in the mirror” via WA Today
Intra
Jane Rocca explores gender, discussion and decision making in why "‘She always said no’: The one politician Annabel Crabb couldn’t pin down” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Ashley Spencer explores family, charisma and environmentalism revealing "‘I feel like I am at my limit’: Robert Irwin on fame, DWTS and the one role that still eludes him” via The Age
Susan Horsburgh explores connection, taste and smooth when "‘I didn’t care which one I kissed!’ The friends who married identical twins” via WA Today
Inter
Lauren Ironmonger explores gender, workforce and fit-for-purpose when "Tradie Katie doesn’t want special treatment. She wants one ‘basic’ fixed” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Broede Carmody explores childhood, expectations and intervention when "‘He needs to be a boy’: Unnecessary surgeries being performed on intersex children” via The Brisbane Times
Kayla Olaya explores place, people and hate-crimes when "Veronica’s shop was targeted by racist hate. This is how her community responded” via The Age
Multi
Annika Smethurst explores a life, living and loving recounting "The moment of dreadful clarity: How Katie Allen’s daughter recognised her worst fear” via The Age
Patrick Hatch and Kieran Rooney explore infrastructure, public and interest reporting how "‘Bloody amazing’: Metro Tunnel opens to huge crowds, minor hiccups” via The Age
Kasha Patel explores place, people and precipitation in "How an ancient civilisation survived 1000 years of climate change” via The Brisbane Times
All
Amanda Hooton explores singlehood, aging and friendship sharing how "‘We cracked up laughing’: The conversation topic that replaced sex for these friends” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Maureen Barten explores faith, devotion and sacred in "Let there be light and love and art” via The Age
Amanda Hooton explores gender, equity and transition with "‘Gigantic joy’: Melinda French Gates on her new life after divorce” via WA Today
Togather
Shona Hendley explores support, buoyancy and collective benefits "As a baby fleeing Africa, Victoria nearly drowned. Now she’s aiming for a gold medal” via The Age
Carolyn Webb explores presence, opportunity and accessibility when "It started with one orphan. Now dozens call this Aussie expat ‘auntie’” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Rachael Ward explores nourishing, nurturing and connectedness in "The Christmas lunch turning strangers into family” via The Age
Nobly
Konrad Marshall explores gender, sexuality and level playing field recounting "‘He was shaking’: The encounter in his local cafe that hit home for Mitch Brown” via The Age
Sue Williams explores home, cooperative and collaborating in "How Ruth, her mum and her friends joined up to beat the housing crisis” via The Age
Brodie Lancaster explores community, gathering and purpose in "There’s a place near you where problems are solved. You can even borrow a book” via The Age
5. TED Talks
5-20 min presentations- Dan McClellan: The Bible Doesn't Say So (11 mins)
- Jennifer Bartram: Under siege by internet trolls (15 mins)
- Zolani Mahola: Growing young (16 mins)
- Sheridan Voysey: Why we suck at making friends and 3 ways to improve (14 mins)
- Jen van den Buss: Sanitation and dignity rise and fall together (13 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
contributing
[con’trib’boot’ing]
From mid 16th century: from Latin contribut- = brought together, added, from the verb contribuere, from con- = with, together + tribuere = bestow
verb
- giving (something, especially money) in order to help achieve or provide something. Ie, taxpayers and private donors were contributing 50% each towards the cost of the new building. Ie, workers were contributing to a private pension.
- helping to cause or bring about. Ie, fuels contributing to global warming now attract a higher tax
- supplying (an article) for publication in a newspaper, magazine, or journal. Ie, the writer is contributing an article to the latest edition of the magazine.
- giving one's views in a discussion. Ie, we were thanked for contributing to the meeting’s outcome.
conceptual
[con’sept’chool]
From mid 17th century: from medieval Latin conceptualis, from Latin concept- = conceived, from the verb concipere from com- = with, together + capere = take.
adjective
- relating to or based on mental concepts. Ie, philosophy deals with conceptual difficulties.
compatibility
[com’pat’ih’bil’ lee’tee]
From late Middle English: from French, from medieval Latin compatibilis, from compati = suffer with.
noun
- a state in which two things are able to exist or occur together without problems or conflict. Ie, the reasoned argument for the compatibility of science and religion.
- a feeling of sympathy and friendship; like-mindedness. Ie, they felt the bond of true compatibility.
- (Computing) the ability of one computer, piece of software, etc. to work with another. Ie, software compatibility is another important factor to consider.
commitment
[com’mit’ment]
From late Middle English: from Latin committere = join, entrust (in medieval Latin = put into custody’), from com- = with, together + mittere = put or send.
noun
- the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc. Ie, the company's commitment to quality. Ie, the Coach could not fault the players for commitment.
- a pledge or undertaking. Ie, I cannot make such a commitment at the moment.
- an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action. Ie, with so many work commitments, time for play was limited.
consistency
[con’sis’ten’see]
From late 16th century (denoting permanence of form): from late Latin consistentia, from consistent- = standing firm, still or existing; from con- = together + sistere = stand (still)’.
noun
- consistent behaviour or treatment. Ie, the consistency of measurement techniques.
- the quality of achieving a level of performance which does not vary greatly in quality over time. Ie, we know we have the ability at the club – what we need is consistency.
- the way in which a substance holds together; thickness or viscosity. Ie, the sauce has the consistency of creamed butter.
contrast
[con’trast]
From late 17th century as a term in fine art, in the sense = juxtapose so as to bring out differences in form and colour: from French contraste (noun), contraster (verb), via Italian from medieval Latin contrastare, from Latin contra- = against + stare = stand.
noun
- the state of being strikingly different from something else in juxtaposition or close association. Ie, the day began cold and blustery, in contrast to almost two weeks of uninterrupted sunshine. Ie, a contrast between rural and urban trends. Ie, this is an island of contrasts.
- differences in colour, tone, or shape that contribute to the visual effect of a design or image. Ie, match the trimming with one of the stronger colours in the pattern to provide contrast.
- the difference between tones in a television picture, photograph, etc. Ie, careful adjustment of the contrast to suit the prevailing light is critical. Ie, high-contrast images.
- a thing or person having qualities noticeably different from another. Ie, the castle is quite a contrast to other places where the singer has performed.
- differ strikingly. Ie, the actor's current success contrasted with their earlier failures.
- compare in such a way as to emphasize differences. Ie, people contrasted them with their siblings.
connectedness
[con’nect’ed’ness]
From late Middle English = be united physically; from Latin connectere, from con- = with, together + nectere = bind.
noun
- the state of being joined or linked. Ie, the connectedness of business life and sport. Ie, the connectedness of local and national power.
- a feeling of belonging to or having affinity with a particular person or group. Ie, it's about partnering, trust, and connectedness. Ie, individuals from these cultures value connectedness with family and friends.
contextual
[con’text’yoo’all]
From late Middle English (denoting the construction of a text): from Latin contextus, from con- = with, together + texere = to weave.
adjective
- depending on or relating to the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or ideal. Ie, contextual information was included in footnotes.
- depending on the preceding or following parts of a text to clarify meaning. Ie, they practiced working out the meaning of unfamiliar material from contextual clues.
Optional
-- Chant Mantrastyle
Why? Why not?
Start today.
As the case may be.
Or not.
7. Acknowledgments
- Acknowledging traditional inhabitants of City of Port Phillip are the Boonwurrung, Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. Respect is offered to past, present and future elders of all spiritual traditions.
- Services and program delivery is culturally safe to people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, aesexual and questioning (LGBTIQA+).
- 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.
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.
