NAVIGATION

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GEIFN | MIXING | Media | February 2026

[Edited extract from public address]

Best wishes for less Suffering, more Happiness with Good Health and Time to Enjoy it. Welcome to Bahá'í calendar year 182-183.

Sharing a timely aspiration:
"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)

If having no reason to celebrate this month, here are 3 prepared earlier:

This edition, we explore the Ancient Indian concept of where happiness lives?

Things do not get happy or unhappy, the mind of the experiencer does. 

Information comes into mind continuously. It comes into an individual's body through the five senses. Based on the individual's level of clarity, choices are made what to do with that information, whether the individual knows it or not. 

Obstacles to clarity are positive, negative or neutral conditions like:

  • experiential behaviors (learnt from personal experience)
  • wishes (personal goals or aspirations that have not happened yet)
  • belief systems (learnt from others' experience or beliefs), 
  • mental or physical impairment (present at birth, injury, failure or withdrawal)
  • sickness (present suffering)
  • present context (environment and surroundings)
  • past habits and tendencies (thoughts, words and actions so well practiced it is now done without thought)

From this unclear state, we say, think or do things that add more unclarity in a continual or closed loop of suffering.

This state called Unawakened mind is sometimes commonly referred to as 'the human condition' or cheekily 'factory or default setting''. When this gets easy, proceed to Awakening mind.

With clarity, the conditions present for Unawakened mind are also the key ingredients to less suffering and a lasting happiness. If we choose to work with our minds, what were obstacles become opportunities for fast development. Initially, for a benefit of the individual, increasing the benefit for a greater number until including all. This stage is awakening Awareness.

The clearer Awareness is, the clearer choices in every moment and clearer the consequences. 
In other words, we agree that

  • if we want positive consequences, make positive choices; 
  • if we want less-negative consequences, make less-negative choices; 
  • if we want confusing consequences, make neutral choices (do nothing, deny inconvenient truths or remain apathetic).

In this context:

  • positive = thoughts, words and actions that take us closer to our goal
  • negative = thoughts, words and actions that take us away from our goal
  • neutral = thoughts, words and actions we don't take to achieve our goal

As a byproduct of growing Awareness, the number of choices known in every situation grows and can be overwhelming and confusing for those who are unprepared, have incomplete training or choose not to practice safeguards.

If we wish to avoid this suffering, the safeguards to practise include:

  • If dissatisfied with any aspect of personal, societal or global life, know that there are many ways that point to a solution.
  • Look around and after testing different ways, it is useful to commit to a consistent singular way to work with. (The view is that a skilful way practiced many times is a primary cause of transformation while many ways practiced a little is a primary cause of Confusion).
  • Have a teacher or guide that has qualities you admire, has more experience in the way you have chosen and has experienced the stated goal. Do not accept a teacher or teaching blindly, but look to see that there is consistency with the teacher's actions and their words across a broad range of situations.
  • It is important to not tread blindly but be one's own shining light.
  • If obstacles arise and dissatisfied with the result, reflect on what can be done differently, resolve to do things differently, repair any damage or do the opposite, concentrate focus and continue on.
  • Know when to ask for help, know who to ask for help, and know when help is no longer needed.
  • Choose a goal that is easy to remember, for a lasting personal clarity and beyond-personal benefit. 

This stage is Awakening mind. When this gets easy, proceed to Mind.

Mind
We all have the potential for experiencing Mind's clear light (also known as clarity, wisdom, reasonableness, rationality), it is just that through the process (experience, action and reaction) of being born, living and dying, this clarity is obscured by veils of Ignorance.

There is no beginning and no limit to the number of veils an individual can be affected by. The veils accumulate as a result of past Ignorance, habits and tendencies, experiences and choices. Acting from Ignorance, we accumulate more veils (sometimes remove, usually by accident). Acting with Clarity, we (deliberately) remove existing veils of Ignorance and slow down accumulation of new ones.

As Clarity becomes more familiar and lasting, a richer trust develops and the creation of new veils of Ignorance ceases until they stop.

When the last veil of Ignorance has been removed, the clear light of Awakened Mind stays. This is also known as: 

  • Nibbana (Pali)
  • Nirvana (Sanskrit) or 
  • the End of Ego Accumulations (or End of Personal Suffering) Caused by Unawakened Mind. Also sometimes known as Liberation, Enlightenment, Full Realisation of Mind.  

Some examples:

  • On a personal (our-life) level: our parents (gave us life), favourite teacher (awakened inspiration/personal discovery), favourite person/pet (demonstrated unconditional love).
  • On a beyond personal (societal) level: generally nurturers, healers and compassionate teachers. Specifically individuals like Fred Hollingsworth, Gandhi and Mother Theresa. Recently departed, their goal, qualities and effort are easily remembered and identified by the society who knew them or directly benefitted from their presence.
  • On a beyond personal (beyond-life) level: Generally, all those who arise from their circumstances, their actions are consistent with their words which are consistent with their thoughts, who dedicate their lives for the benefit of all. Specifically, the 'first ones of mature Traditions', the likes of Krishna, Patanjali, Abraham, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammed et all. Long ago departed, their goal, qualities and effort are remembered and identified by the society who wished to know them or directly benefits from their legacy.

Where can I buy it?
One does not need to buy what one already has. You only need to know where to not-look, what to not-do and why to do it.
 
When can I get it?
It starts as soon as an individual choses to make a mindful effort to remove the many veils of Ignorance that accumulated from past experiences, filters present thoughts, cultivates tomorrow's words, and influences future actions.

If Awakened Mind was like a glorious view, our experience of it is from inside of a small house we have built, positioned at a small window we have heavily curtained, looking through glass dirty from life. Curtains do not open or close without a wish to see and directed effort. Glass does not get clean without a wish to see clearly, concentrated effort and skilful means. We do not pause from our activity to stand at window and look out, without a wish to be a part of something greater than our individual experience.

  • Beginners: Open curtains and clean glass. Stand in front of window and look out. Reflect on view. Occasionally go out.
  • Intermediates: When lawn is mowed, gutters fixed and house is painted. Occasionally stay inside, look at view inside house.
  • Advanced: Being comfortable where-ever one finds oneself, inside or outside is only a distraction - view is always rich with endless possibilities. Adopt view when useful, use while it remains useful, practice determinedly if wishing to stay within that experience.
  • advanced-Advanced: share arising surpluses with beneficiaries increasing until including all.

And when all that gets easier, practice is no longer required because it is inherent in every day life and this is where happiness lives. If this experience is shared by enough people, this is where, when and how peaceful coexistence abides.

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 List

  1. Guest Sings
  2. Street Jives
  3. Wisdom Reconciles
  4. Media Writes
  5. TED Talks
  6. Music Challenges
  7. Acknowledgments


1. Guest Sings

Approx 5 min presentation

 

2. Street Jives

Approx 2 min presentation

 

3. Wisdom Reconciles

 

4. Media Writes

Approx 5 min reads

Intro
Julia Baird explores enthusiasm, ability and enjoyment "In praise of mediocrity – and having a go regardless” via The Age

Carolyn Webb explores care, patience and skill as "The retiree and former star chef restoring Melbourne one panel at a time” via The Age

Nick Galvin explores ignorance, abuse and being when "A stranger attacked Travis. She didn’t get mad - she got herself a hit show” via The Sydney Morning Herald


Intra
Kylie Northover explores self, image and projection in "Nina Oyama’s balancing act between naughty and nice” via The Brisbane Times

Sue Williams explores living, death and celebration in "Baby boomers have always rewritten the rules. Now they are reinventing funerals” via The Sydney Morning Herald

Aunty Munya Andrews explores identity, connection and belonging in how "On Australia Day, we can acknowledge the past without being trapped by it” via The Age


Inter
Karl Quinn explores identity, gender and skilfulness when reviewing how "Goolagong is a smashing biopic, with a backhanded serve of fury” via The Sydney Morning Herald

Lauren Ironmonger explores convenience, connection and camaraderie as "Silicon Valley made us fear friction. But what if it is the secret to a better life?” via The Age 

Nick Galvin explores facts, truth and revealing with "Michael Mohammed Ahmad on telling the story no family wants told” via The Sydney Morning Herald


Multi
Zoya Patel explores identity, connection and belonging recounting how "An experience at a Paris airport showed me what it really means to be Australian” via WA Today

Lenny Ann Low explores sibling, cooking and divergence in "‘Freaky’ 4am coincidence shows why these twins believe they have a psychic connection” via The Age

Cassandra Morgan explores gender, history and pioneering recounting how "These ‘badass women’ built Melbourne. It’s time we knew more about them” via The Age


All
Benjamin Law explores Death, Health and Bodies with Simone Young recounting "‘Women can’t conduct, but she’s different’: The backhanded compliment still haunting” via The Sydney Morning Herald

Lenny Ann Low explores family, society and walking a tight rope reviewing "An Aboriginal circus act loved by Hitler? This new doco will stun you” via The Sydney Morning Herald

Lauren Ironmonger explores mortality, visibility and awareness in "The conversation we’re not having about death” via The Age


Togather
Rachael Ward explores overcoming, gathering and nurturing in "The daily special at this Kew cafe? A free coffee if you’ve had a home invasion” via The Age

George Kemp explores education, learning and ambiguity "At 15, my world was upended. This was a lesson I’ll never forget” via The Sydney Morning Herald

Meg Watson explores identity, history and the funny side reviewing how "This was a big swing for the ABC. Can Tony Armstrong turn it into a series?” via The Brisbane Times


Nobly
Rachael Ward explores community, spirit and light in "The generous sandwich shop owner who has spread priceless joy to his suburb” via The Age

Jonathan Drennan explores association, aptitude and attitude recounting when "I was at rock bottom in grim Dublin when my life was turned around by an elderly stranger” via The Age

Dan F Stapleton explores people, place and purpose in "Four Australian Indigenous architects to watch in 2026” via The Brisbane Times

  

5. TED Talks

5-20 min presentations

  

6. Music Challenges

Approx 30 min presentation + reflection times

If 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 way to glow together?
        1. Inspire
        2. Perspire
        3. Collaborate
        4. Engage: Test for personal circumstances, if useful keep, if unuseful discard, if exceeds needs, share mindfully
        5. Endure: Adapt for present times without sacrificing intent
        6. Endear: (Inspiring Others To Tend the Flame) live/ demonstrate/ inspire/ teach experience with others
        This challenge is integrating title, entitlement, subtitle, surtitle, obfuscate & elucidate.

        integrating
        [in’teh’grayte’ing]
        From mid 17th century: from Latin integrat- = made whole, from the verb integrare, from integer = whole + Old English from Germanic -ung, -ing = suffix denoting a verbal action, an instance of this, or its result.

        adjective
        • (of an instrument) indicating the mean value or total sum of a measured quantity. Ie, integrating microdensitometer.
        verb
        1. combining (one thing) with another to form a whole. Ie, transport planning is integrating with energy policy. Ie, a fully equipped laboratory department is integrating into this campus's development.
          • combining (two things) so that they form a whole. Ie, the problem of integrating the two approaches.
          • (of a thing) combining with another to form a whole. Ie, the stone will blend with the environment, integrating into the landscape.
        2. bringing (people or groups with particular characteristics or needs) into equal participation in or membership of a social group or institution. Ie, integrating children with special needs into ordinary schools.
          • come into equal participation in or membership of a social group or institution. Ie, they were keen for integrating well into their respective families.
          • desegregate (a school, area, etc.), especially racially. Ie, the protest forced the bus companies into integrating the bus routes on the day. Ie, cities' efforts in integrating established citizens with newer arrivals.
        3. (Mathematics) finding the integral of. Ie, the velocity profile can be obtained by integrating this equation.

        title
        [tyte’all]
        From Old English titul, reinforced by Old French title, both from Latin titulus = inscription, title. The word originally denoted a placard or inscription placed on an object, giving information about it, hence a descriptive heading in a book or other composition.

        noun
        1. the name of a book, composition, or other artistic work. Ie, the author and title of the book.
          • a caption or credit in a film or broadcast. Ie, Exclusive sponsorship with opening and closing titles.
          • a book, magazine, or newspaper considered as a publication. Ie, the company publishes 400 titles a year.
        2. a name that describes someone's position or job. Ie, the employee assumed the title of Chief Operating Officer.
          • a word such as Lord or Dame that is used before someone's name, or a form that is used instead of someone's name, to indicate high social or official rank. Ie, inheriting the title of Duke of Marlborough.
          • a word such as Mrs or Dr that is used before someone's name to indicate their profession or marital status. Ie, the title Professor is reserved for one or two members of a department.
          • a descriptive or distinctive name that is earned or chosen. Ie, the restaurant deserved the title of Best Restaurant of the Year.
        3. the position of being the champion of a major sports competition. Ie, the player won the world title for the first time in 1981.
        4. (Law) a right or claim to the ownership of property or to a rank or throne. Ie, a grocery family had title to the property. Ie, the buyer acquires a good title to the goods.
        5. (Christianity) a fixed sphere of work and source of income as a condition for ordination.
          • a parish church in Rome under a cardinal.
        verb
        • give a name to (a book, composition, or other work): a report titled The Lost Land.

        entitlement
        [en’tyte’all’ment]
        From late Middle English (formerly also as intitle): via Old French from late Latin intitulare, from in- = in + Latin titulus = title + from French, or from Latin -mentum = suffix forming nouns expressing the means or result of an action.

        noun [mass noun]
        • the fact of having a right to something. Ie, full entitlement to fees and maintenance should be offered.
          • the amount to which a person has a right. Ie, workers' annual leave entitlement.
          • the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. Ie, no wonder your kids have a sense of entitlement. Ie, this entitlement mentality is completely out of control.
          • (US English) a government scheme that provides benefits to any individual meeting certain eligibility requirements. Ie, Social Security, Medicare, and other entitlements are going broke.

        subtitle
        [sub’tyte’all]
        From From Old English from Latin sub = under, close to + titulus = inscription, title.

        noun
        1. captions displayed at the bottom of a cinema or television screen that translate or transcribe the dialogue or narrative. Ie, films in foreign languages with English subtitles.
        2. a subordinate title of a published work or article giving additional information about its content. Ie, the book had now acquired its final title with a qualifying subtitle.
        verb
        1. provide (a film or programme) with subtitles. Ie, much of the film is subtitled.
        2. provide (a published work or article) with a subtitle. Ie, the novel was aptly subtitled.

        surtitle
        [sir’tyte’all]
        From Old English from Latin sur = above, close to + titulus = inscription, title.

        noun
        • a caption projected on a screen above the stage in an opera, translating the text being sung.
        verb
        • provide (an opera production) with surtitles.

        obfuscate
        [obb’fuce’skayte]
        From late Middle English (as adjective): from late Latin from ob- = in opposition + obfuscat- = darkened, from the verb obfuscare, from fuscus = dark.

        verb
        • make obscure, unclear, or unintelligible. Ie, the spelling changes will deform some familiar words and obfuscate their etymological origins.
          • bewilder (someone). Ie, the new rule is more likely to obfuscate people than enlighten them.

        elucidate
        [eh’looce’ih’dayte]
        From mid 16th century: from late Latin elucidat- = made clear, from the verb elucidare, from e- (variant of ex-) = out + lucidus = lucid from lucere = shine, from lux, luc- = light.

        verb
        • make (something) clear; explain. Ie, work such as theirs will help to elucidate this matter. Ie, in what follows I shall try to elucidate what I believe the problems to be.
        [Practice]

        Optional
        -- Chant Mantrastyle

        Why? Why not?
        Start today. 
        As the case may be.
        Or not.


        7. Acknowledgments

        Reconciliation
        • 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.

        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.