Best wishes for less Suffering, more Happiness with Good Health and Time to Enjoy it. Welcome to Assyrian Calendar Year 6776.
Sharing a timely aspiration:
"Dear friends, much pain has been endured in the past, and that pain is no longer designated to hopelessness. It’s time to move the process of reconciliation forward with a little more speed. That is the task. If not now, when? If not us, who?”
Faith Bandler, Australian civil rights activist of South Sea Islander and Scottish-Indian heritage, campaigner for the rights of Indigenous Australians and South Sea Islanders and best known for her leadership in the campaign for the 1967 referendum on Aboriginal Australians (1918-2015 CE)
If having no reason to celebrate this month, here are some prepared earlier:
- 1 May: "Vesak", the Day of the Full Moon (International)
- 3 May: World Press Freedom Day (International)
- 17 May: International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) (International)
- 21 May: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (International)
There are many ways to liberate oneself from Suffering, here is another one.
This edition, we explore the Ancient Indian Theravada concept of The Noble Eightfold Path. Often depicted as an 8-spoked wheel, a teaching for any one wishing to navigate choppy conditions and steer through uncertainty from darkness into light.
- Right Understanding. Understanding life is always changing. Practice of letting go of attachments. Contentment leads to peace and happiness.
- Right Effort. Mindful, kind and positive thinking.
- Right Intention. Having helpful and positive feelings behind actions.
- Right Livelihood. Doing useful work that doesn’t harm others
- Right Mindfulness. Being mindful of thoughts, words and deeds and how they affect others.
- Right Speech. Speaking in a kind, thoughtful and helpful way.
- Right Action. Living an ethical life avoiding doing any harm.
- Right Meditation. Training the mind to be calm and positive in order to develop wisdom.
In some depictions, these eight have different names, prioritised differently and may be further sorted into Ethics(Livelihood, Speech, Action), Mental Practice (Effort, Meditation, Mindfulness) and Wisdom (Understanding, Intention). Regardless of an individual's starting point, each spoke leads to a centre free of Suffering. This liberation or freedom from Suffering is called Nibbana/Nirvana/Enlightenment (Pali/Sanskrit/English).
We do not need to know Pali or Sanskrit or be Buddhist to use this way. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. The concepts will exist in some way or another in whatever language and whereever you are right now. It is simple, if one wants less-Suffering, think, say and do things that cause less-Suffering. It is not important what causing less-Suffering is called. What is important is that less-Suffering is chosen, caused and the consequence. Starting with the individual, growing in surpluses, sharing with a greater number of beneficiaries until including all. Or not.
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
Approx 5 min presentation
2. Street Jives
Approx 2 min presentation
3. Wisdom Reconciles
- Storied: Why Time Moves Differently In Different Languages (10 mins)
- Earl and Sean 얼앤션 | 커밍 아웃 스토리 Sharing our Coming Out story (24 mins)
- Olga Koch: Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala (5 mins)
- SBS The Feed: Louis Theroux on interviewing people with problematic views (11 mins)
- Slice: Bagan & Shwedagon: The Cosmic Geometry of Myanmar’s Buddhist Temples (17 mins)
4. Media Writes
Approx 5 min readsIntro
Gabriella Coslovich explores childhood, passion and expression recounting how "She was the little girl painted by her famous father. Now she is telling the family secrets” via The Age
Tim Elliott explores passion, pursuit and publishing in "How Luke Bateman became Australia’s most unlikely book influencer” via The Brisbane Times
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Politics, Sex and Money with Paula Arundell who recalls "‘I was like, what?’ The strange coincidence in this actor’s life” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Intra
Richard Glover explores value, subjectivity and currency with "Interest-free ice-blocks: How a five-year-old beat the big banks” via The Age
Kim Wilson explores partnering, parenting and presence recounting how "After 25 years and three kids, a trip helped me remember this about my husband” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Kellie Scott explores household, tasks and teamwork revealing "How these queer couples divide the mental load in their household” via ABC News
Inter
Lauren Ironmonger explores mind, body and reconciling in "‘People do terrible things to each other’: How to cope with trauma” via The Age
Waleed Aly explores conditions, collaboration and balancing in "Albanese’s petrol price cut is derided as dumb populism. But it goes deeper than you think” via The Age
Jane Rocca explores life, living and laughter with David O’Doherty who recalls "At 18, I met my celebrity crush. Our first real-life encounter involved her telling me off” via The Brisbane Times
Multi
Julianne O’Brien explores identity, connection and belonging when "Homeless at 58, my new neighbours included an ex-con and a recluse. Then there was Darren” via The Age
Rima Das explores gender, workforce and participation when "Breaking barriers to women's tech careers by rethinking pathways” via CFO Tech Australia
Tony Wright explores perseverance, passion and philanthropy "He gave a fortune to Victorian children, but lies in an unmarked grave” via The Age
All
Melanie Kembrey explores self-agency, expression and happiness when "On a bench by the beach, one of Australia’s funniest writers is working it out” via The Age
Fabiola Campbell explores gender, agency and engagement in “Feminine Reframing of ‘Attitude’” via Professional Migrant Women BLOG
Kate Aubusson explores learning, engaging and cooperating revealing "In these Sydney primary schools, therapists observe children behind a one-way mirror” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Togather
Nell Geraets explores life, living and laughs in "Meet the new guard of comedy stars – and watch their terrible life advice” via The Age
Annika Smethurst explores identity, safety and refuge celebrating how "‘We are one family’: Jewish friends help Muslim refugees call Australia home” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Lenny Ann Low explores engagement, consistency and care in "They’ve been mates for nearly 50 years. Then one day, Russell brought out a book” via The Age
Nobly
Neary Ty explores gender, circumstances and conditioning recounting how "‘They said no one would love me’: The 13-year-old who refused to be a child bride” via The Brisbane Times
Stephanie Bunbury explores identity, connection and belonging in how "Racists ‘who wanted us gone’ get another lesson from Warwick Thornton” via The Age
Erin Handley explores care, consistency and collaboration revealing how "She went for six months but stayed for 30 years: the Australian doctor who refused to go home” via The Brisbane Times
Gabriella Coslovich explores childhood, passion and expression recounting how "She was the little girl painted by her famous father. Now she is telling the family secrets” via The Age
Tim Elliott explores passion, pursuit and publishing in "How Luke Bateman became Australia’s most unlikely book influencer” via The Brisbane Times
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Politics, Sex and Money with Paula Arundell who recalls "‘I was like, what?’ The strange coincidence in this actor’s life” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Intra
Richard Glover explores value, subjectivity and currency with "Interest-free ice-blocks: How a five-year-old beat the big banks” via The Age
Kim Wilson explores partnering, parenting and presence recounting how "After 25 years and three kids, a trip helped me remember this about my husband” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Kellie Scott explores household, tasks and teamwork revealing "How these queer couples divide the mental load in their household” via ABC News
Inter
Lauren Ironmonger explores mind, body and reconciling in "‘People do terrible things to each other’: How to cope with trauma” via The Age
Waleed Aly explores conditions, collaboration and balancing in "Albanese’s petrol price cut is derided as dumb populism. But it goes deeper than you think” via The Age
Jane Rocca explores life, living and laughter with David O’Doherty who recalls "At 18, I met my celebrity crush. Our first real-life encounter involved her telling me off” via The Brisbane Times
Multi
Julianne O’Brien explores identity, connection and belonging when "Homeless at 58, my new neighbours included an ex-con and a recluse. Then there was Darren” via The Age
Rima Das explores gender, workforce and participation when "Breaking barriers to women's tech careers by rethinking pathways” via CFO Tech Australia
Tony Wright explores perseverance, passion and philanthropy "He gave a fortune to Victorian children, but lies in an unmarked grave” via The Age
All
Melanie Kembrey explores self-agency, expression and happiness when "On a bench by the beach, one of Australia’s funniest writers is working it out” via The Age
Fabiola Campbell explores gender, agency and engagement in “Feminine Reframing of ‘Attitude’” via Professional Migrant Women BLOG
Kate Aubusson explores learning, engaging and cooperating revealing "In these Sydney primary schools, therapists observe children behind a one-way mirror” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Togather
Nell Geraets explores life, living and laughs in "Meet the new guard of comedy stars – and watch their terrible life advice” via The Age
Annika Smethurst explores identity, safety and refuge celebrating how "‘We are one family’: Jewish friends help Muslim refugees call Australia home” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Lenny Ann Low explores engagement, consistency and care in "They’ve been mates for nearly 50 years. Then one day, Russell brought out a book” via The Age
Nobly
Neary Ty explores gender, circumstances and conditioning recounting how "‘They said no one would love me’: The 13-year-old who refused to be a child bride” via The Brisbane Times
Stephanie Bunbury explores identity, connection and belonging in how "Racists ‘who wanted us gone’ get another lesson from Warwick Thornton” via The Age
Erin Handley explores care, consistency and collaboration revealing how "She went for six months but stayed for 30 years: the Australian doctor who refused to go home” via The Brisbane Times
5. TED Talks
5-20 min presentations- Lope Gutierrez-Ruiz: 3 ways to create a truly original design (6 mins)
- Rhonda Ross and Daniel Alexander Jones: How to tune your inner voice (20 mins)
- Timothy J. Burbery: Why do so many cultures have dragon legends? (6 mins)
- Misty Copeland: The roots of resilience (13 mins)
- Helen Marriage: Public art that turns cities into playgrounds of the imagination (12 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:
Where should wisdom, kindness and non-selfishness be?
wondering
[won’der'ing]
From Old English wundor (noun), wundrian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wonder and German Wunder + -ing = suffix denoting a verbal action, an instance of this, or its result; denoting material used for or associated with a process etc; forming the gerund of verbs.
adjective
wandering
[won’der’ing]
From Old English wandrian, of West Germanic origin; related to wend and wind + -ing = suffix denoting a verbal action, an instance of this, or its result; denoting material used for or associated with a process etc; forming the gerund of verbs.
adjective
wonderful
[won’der’full]
From late Old English wunderfull = wonder + -full.
adjective
curiosity
[cue’ree’oss’ih’tee]
From late Middle English: from Old French curiousete, from Latin curiositas, from curiosus = careful; from cura = care.
noun
inquisitive
[in’kwiz’ih’tive]
From late Middle English: from Old French inquisitif, -ive, from late Latin inquisitivus, from the verb inquirere based on quaerere = seek.
adjective
comprehension
[com’preh’hen’shen]
From mid 16th century: from French compréhension or Latin comprehensio(n-), from the verb comprehendere = seize, comprise; from comprehendere, from com- = together + prehendere = grasp + -ion = suffix forming nouns denoting verbal action; denoting a resulting state or product.
noun
empathise
[em’pa’thise]
From early 20th century: from Greek empatheia: em- = in + pathos = feeling + -ise = suffix forming nouns of quality, state, or function.
verb
- 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
wondering
[won’der'ing]
From Old English wundor (noun), wundrian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wonder and German Wunder + -ing = suffix denoting a verbal action, an instance of this, or its result; denoting material used for or associated with a process etc; forming the gerund of verbs.
adjective
- characterized by or expressive of a desire to know something; curious. Ie, unsure where the lesson was leading to, I cast the teacher a wondering look.
- characterized by or expressive of admiration and amazement: Peter listened with an air of wondering astonishment.
wandering
[won’der’ing]
From Old English wandrian, of West Germanic origin; related to wend and wind + -ing = suffix denoting a verbal action, an instance of this, or its result; denoting material used for or associated with a process etc; forming the gerund of verbs.
adjective
- travelling aimlessly from place to place; itinerant: a wandering preacher.
wonderful
[won’der’full]
From late Old English wunderfull = wonder + -full.
adjective
- inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration; extremely good; marvellous. Ie, they all think the acting is wonderful. Ie, the climate was wonderful all year round.
curiosity
[cue’ree’oss’ih’tee]
From late Middle English: from Old French curiousete, from Latin curiositas, from curiosus = careful; from cura = care.
noun
- a strong desire to know or learn something. Ie, filled with curiosity, the child peered through the window. Ie, curiosity got the better of me, so I called home.
- an unusual or interesting object or fact. Ie, the host showed them some of the curiosities of the house.
inquisitive
[in’kwiz’ih’tive]
From late Middle English: from Old French inquisitif, -ive, from late Latin inquisitivus, from the verb inquirere based on quaerere = seek.
adjective
- having or showing an interest in learning things; curious. Ie, these poems reveal an intensely inquisitive mind.
- unduly curious about the affairs of others; prying. Ie, I didn't like to seem inquisitive.
comprehension
[com’preh’hen’shen]
From mid 16th century: from French compréhension or Latin comprehensio(n-), from the verb comprehendere = seize, comprise; from comprehendere, from com- = together + prehendere = grasp + -ion = suffix forming nouns denoting verbal action; denoting a resulting state or product.
noun
- the ability to understand something. Ie, some won't have the least comprehension of what I'm trying to do. Ie, the comprehension of spoken language.
- (British English) the setting of questions on a set text to test understanding, as a school exercise. Ie, comprehension exercises.
- (archaic) inclusion.
- (historical) the inclusion of Nonconformists within the Established Church of England (as proposed in the 17th to 19th centuries but not adopted).
empathise
[em’pa’thise]
From early 20th century: from Greek empatheia: em- = in + pathos = feeling + -ise = suffix forming nouns of quality, state, or function.
verb
- understand and share the feelings of another. Ie, counsellors need to be able to empathise with people.
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.
