[Edited extract from public address]
Best wishes for less Suffering, more Happiness with Good Health and Time to Enjoy it. Welcome to Korean Dangun Calendar Year 4359.
Sharing a timely aspiration:
"Our persistence in examining the tensions within diversity encourages growth toward our common goal. So often we either ignore the past or romanticize it, render the reason for unity useless or mythic. We forget that the necessary ingredient needed to make the past work for the future is our energy in the present, metabolizing one into the other. Continuity does not happen automatically, nor is it a passive process."Audre Lorde, American writer, womanist, radical feminist, professor, and civil rights activist (1934-1992 CE)
If having no reason to celebrate this month, here are 3 prepared earlier:
- 8 March: International Women’s Day (International)
- 16-24 March: Cultural Diversity Week (Victoria)
- 21 March: National Harmony Day (Australia)
- 21 March: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (International)
This edition, we explore the Ancient Indian concept of Four Immeasurables.
A Vajrayana English practice is to keep these attitudes actively in mind, activity and daily living:
- May all beings have happiness and the cause of happiness
- May they be free from suffering and the cause of suffering
- May they always experience happiness, which is totally free from suffering
- May they remain in the great equanimity, which is without attachment and aversion.
They are also known as Appamaññā/Apramāṇa (Pali/Sanskrit) or 四無量心/Four Infinite Minds (Chinese/English).
Appamaññā/Apramāṇa is usually translated as “the immeasurables,” meaning boundlessness, infinitude, a state that is unlimited.
When developed to a high degree in meditation, these attitudes are said to make the individual’s mind immeasurable. Cultivating the state of mind like the loving Brahma (gods) (Hindu) or Buddhas/Bohdi Citta/Awakened Mind (Buddhist).
Alternative teachings of the same concept are known as Brahmaviharas.
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 Asian Comedy Allstars - Rahul Subramanian (6 mins)
- Aiden Qiu China: An Arab Boy Raised in China: Childhood, Culture & Identity (16 mins)
- Infinite Ltd: How Chicken Salt Became Aus' Default Seasoning (20 mins)
- Avoiding My Anxiously Attached Boyfriend: Asifa Lahore and How Being TRANS in the Muslim world is gender affirming (50 mins)
- Dr. Camille Sinclair: What Dementia Brains Need Instead of Logic (7 mins)
4. Media Writes
Approx 5 min readsIntro
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Politics, Money and Bodies in how "Keiynan’s triple-threat talent turned his life around. But one ‘very simple’ skill eludes him” via The Age
Cassandra Morgan explores gender, education and learning in "Art and ghosts meet as women reclaim the shadows of Abbotsford Convent” via The Age
Nadia Bailey explores gender, diligence and artistic expression in why "Tattoos in ballet were a taboo. That didn’t stop him” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Intra
Warwick McFadyen explores love, negotiations and love songs "When faith and love make a religion of two” via The Age
Jane Cadzow explores familiar, connection and belonging when "Julianne moved in with her ‘old-school’ father during the pandemic. She never left” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Louise Rugendyke explores identity, connection and belonging when "‘I’m just so bloody grateful’: ABC recruits queer AFL star Mitch Brown for Mardi Gras” via WA Today
Inter
Stephanie Wood explores gender, equity and relationships recounting why "Rachel spent five years ‘quiet quitting’ her marriage. Her husband didn’t see it coming” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Religion, Money and Politics with Ron Sexsmith when "Ron titled a song ‘God loves everyone’. Not everyone was happy” via The Age
John Silvester explores identity, service and persecution when asking "Who planted the seeds of hate?” via The Age
Multi
Tom Ryan explores identity, interaction and insight over time when reviewing ”Dennis Altman’s essays chronicle his deeply political life” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Death, Sex and Politics with Lidia Morawska recounting how "Isolated in a new country with her dying husband, Lidia didn’t want anyone to know” via The Brisbane Times
Linda Morris explores identity, expression and recognition in "‘What we do matters’: Australian performers win prestigious award at Venice” via The Age
All
Claire Thomas explores artistry, experience and memory revealing when "It was a love I told no one about. Years later, I received a sign” via The Brisbane Times
Louise Rugendyke explores exposition, laughs and legacy recounting how "‘We had death threats’: Looking back at the ABC’s most controversial comedy show” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Tim Elliott explores accident, adversity and addressing with "The three-step method to suppress your body’s panic response to pain” via WA Today
Togather
Liza Power explores collecting, curation and contesting ideas in "Can art defeat cancel culture? Feel free to disagree” via The Age
Bridget McManus explores history, secrets and sharing in "‘I had no idea’: The ABC quiz show asking the questions you may not want the answers to” via The Age
Amanda Hooton explores circumstances, choices and consequences recounting how "‘I lost my father; she lost the person who … saved her life’: Fiona Coote and Vanessa Chang’s bond” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Nobly
Elizabeth Flux explores identity, gender and history when "After 17 years, the Maza sisters return to the stage for a show that ‘breaks all the rules’” via The Age
Kerrie O’Brien explores passion, proving and performance "From the Wiggles to the MSO, this creative collective puts the heart in art” via The Age
Ethan Cardinal explores education, learning and community revealing "Wholesome homework: The car act helping single parents travel” via Drive.com.au
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Politics, Money and Bodies in how "Keiynan’s triple-threat talent turned his life around. But one ‘very simple’ skill eludes him” via The Age
Cassandra Morgan explores gender, education and learning in "Art and ghosts meet as women reclaim the shadows of Abbotsford Convent” via The Age
Nadia Bailey explores gender, diligence and artistic expression in why "Tattoos in ballet were a taboo. That didn’t stop him” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Intra
Warwick McFadyen explores love, negotiations and love songs "When faith and love make a religion of two” via The Age
Jane Cadzow explores familiar, connection and belonging when "Julianne moved in with her ‘old-school’ father during the pandemic. She never left” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Louise Rugendyke explores identity, connection and belonging when "‘I’m just so bloody grateful’: ABC recruits queer AFL star Mitch Brown for Mardi Gras” via WA Today
Inter
Stephanie Wood explores gender, equity and relationships recounting why "Rachel spent five years ‘quiet quitting’ her marriage. Her husband didn’t see it coming” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Religion, Money and Politics with Ron Sexsmith when "Ron titled a song ‘God loves everyone’. Not everyone was happy” via The Age
John Silvester explores identity, service and persecution when asking "Who planted the seeds of hate?” via The Age
Multi
Tom Ryan explores identity, interaction and insight over time when reviewing ”Dennis Altman’s essays chronicle his deeply political life” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Death, Sex and Politics with Lidia Morawska recounting how "Isolated in a new country with her dying husband, Lidia didn’t want anyone to know” via The Brisbane Times
Linda Morris explores identity, expression and recognition in "‘What we do matters’: Australian performers win prestigious award at Venice” via The Age
All
Claire Thomas explores artistry, experience and memory revealing when "It was a love I told no one about. Years later, I received a sign” via The Brisbane Times
Louise Rugendyke explores exposition, laughs and legacy recounting how "‘We had death threats’: Looking back at the ABC’s most controversial comedy show” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Tim Elliott explores accident, adversity and addressing with "The three-step method to suppress your body’s panic response to pain” via WA Today
Togather
Liza Power explores collecting, curation and contesting ideas in "Can art defeat cancel culture? Feel free to disagree” via The Age
Bridget McManus explores history, secrets and sharing in "‘I had no idea’: The ABC quiz show asking the questions you may not want the answers to” via The Age
Amanda Hooton explores circumstances, choices and consequences recounting how "‘I lost my father; she lost the person who … saved her life’: Fiona Coote and Vanessa Chang’s bond” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Nobly
Elizabeth Flux explores identity, gender and history when "After 17 years, the Maza sisters return to the stage for a show that ‘breaks all the rules’” via The Age
Kerrie O’Brien explores passion, proving and performance "From the Wiggles to the MSO, this creative collective puts the heart in art” via The Age
Ethan Cardinal explores education, learning and community revealing "Wholesome homework: The car act helping single parents travel” via Drive.com.au
5. TED Talks
5-20 min presentations- Ashish Kapoor: The surprising power of the radical middle (13 mins)
- Mae Yoshikawa: Kizuki: The Japanese Aha Moment That Changes Life (17 mins)
- Valarie Kaur: 3 lessons of revolutionary love in a time of rage (23 mins)
- Karen Gee: A More Fluid Understanding of Gender & Sexual Orientation (18 mins)
- Luyi Kathy Zhang: 3 questions to ask yourself before you die (16 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 way to sort a role model from the plentitude of pretenders?
forgiving
From Old English forgiefan, of Germanic origin, related to Dutch vergeven and German vergeben, and ultimately to for- and give + Old English of Germanic origin -ung, -ing = suffix denoting a verbal action, an instance of this, or its result; relating to an occupation, skill, etc; denoting material used for or associated with a process etc
adjective
ambitious
[am’bish'us]
From late Middle English: from Old French ambitieux or Latin ambitiosus, from ambitio(n-), from ambire = go around (canvassing for votes).
adjective
enthusiastic
[en’thoose’ee’asst’ick]
From late 16th century denoting a person believing that he or she is divinely inspired: via late Latin enthusiasmus = inspiration, frenzy; from Greek enthousiastikos, from enthous = possessed by a god, from theos = god).
adjective
ineptitude
[in’ep’tih’tood]
From mid 16th century in the sense = not apt, unsuitable: from Latin ineptus, from in- = not + aptus = fitted, past participle of apere = fasten + -tude = suffix forming abstract nouns
noun
ephemeral
[eff’fehm’er’all]
From late 16th century: from Greek ephēmeros = lasting only a day + -al = suffix forming adjectives relating to; of the kind of.
adjective
commiseration
[com’mizz’er’ray’shen]
From
noun
celebration
[sell’lah’bray’shen]
From early 16th century: via French from Latin celebratio(n-), from the verb celebrare , from celeber, celebr- = frequented or honoured.
noun
Optional
-- Chant Mantrastyle
Why? Why not?
Start today.
As the case may be.
Or not.
- 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
forgiving
From Old English forgiefan, of Germanic origin, related to Dutch vergeven and German vergeben, and ultimately to for- and give + Old English of Germanic origin -ung, -ing = suffix denoting a verbal action, an instance of this, or its result; relating to an occupation, skill, etc; denoting material used for or associated with a process etc
adjective
- ready and willing to forgive. Ie, The Boss was in a forgiving mood. Ie, the teenager is surprisingly forgiving of the parent’s drinking.
- (of a thing) easy or safe to deal with. Ie, snow is a forgiving surface on which to fall.
ambitious
[am’bish'us]
From late Middle English: from Old French ambitieux or Latin ambitiosus, from ambitio(n-), from ambire = go around (canvassing for votes).
adjective
- having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed. Ie, a consistently ambitious workaholic.
- (of a plan or piece of work) intended to satisfy high aspirations and therefore difficult to achieve. Ie, an ambitious enterprise.
enthusiastic
[en’thoose’ee’asst’ick]
From late 16th century denoting a person believing that he or she is divinely inspired: via late Latin enthusiasmus = inspiration, frenzy; from Greek enthousiastikos, from enthous = possessed by a god, from theos = god).
adjective
- having or showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval. Ie, they could be wildly enthusiastic about environmentally sustainable projects.
ineptitude
[in’ep’tih’tood]
From mid 16th century in the sense = not apt, unsuitable: from Latin ineptus, from in- = not + aptus = fitted, past participle of apere = fasten + -tude = suffix forming abstract nouns
noun
- lack of skill or ability. Ie, the new officials displayed remarkable ineptitude. Ie, the sheer ineptitude of their economic plan.
ephemeral
[eff’fehm’er’all]
From late 16th century: from Greek ephēmeros = lasting only a day + -al = suffix forming adjectives relating to; of the kind of.
adjective
- lasting for a very short time. Ie, fashions are ephemeral: new ones regularly drive out the old. Ie, works of more than ephemeral interest.
- (botany) having a very short life cycle. Ie, chickweed is an ephemeral weed, producing several generations in one season.
- an ephemeral plant. Ie, ephemerals avoid the periods of drought as seeds.
commiseration
[com’mizz’er’ray’shen]
From
noun
- sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others; compassion. Ie, the group offered a clumsy commiseration to the bereaved.
- expressions of sympathy and sorrow for another. Ie, our commiserations to those who didn't win.
celebration
[sell’lah’bray’shen]
From early 16th century: via French from Latin celebratio(n-), from the verb celebrare , from celeber, celebr- = frequented or honoured.
noun
- the action of celebrating an important day or event. Ie, the birth of their child was a cause for celebration.
- a social gathering or enjoyable activity held to celebrate something. Ie, a birthday celebration.
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.
