NAVIGATION

HOME | CONTACT | ABOUT US | GATHERS | RESOURCES

GEIFN | MIXING | Media | June 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 183.

Sharing a timely aspiration:
"On the cause of silence, each of us draws the face of their own fear – fear of contempt, of censure, or some judgement, or recognition, of challenge, of annihilation. But most of all, I think, we fear the visibility without which we cannot truly live.”
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 some prepared earlier:

There are many ways to liberate oneself from Suffering, here is another one.

This edition, we explore the Ancient Indian Buddhist Theravada concept of Sotāpanna/Śrotāpanna. 

In Theravada Buddhism, a sotāpanna/śrotāpanna (Pali/Sanskrit) is a “stream-enterer”, “stream-winner” or “stream-entrant”, after a metaphor which calls the Noble Eightfold Path a stream which leads to a vast ocean called Nibbana/Nirvana/Enlightenment (Pali/Sanskrit/English).

According to the Pali Commentary, a sotāpanna with no major transgressions would eventually abandon the Six Defilements:

  1. Envy
  2. Jealousy
  3. Hypocrisy
  4. Fraud
  5. Denigration
  6. Domineering

Correctly identifying the Suffering means the known antidote (generally its equally known opposite) would be applied to bring about less-Suffering.

We do not need to know Pali or Sanskrit or be Buddhist to use this way. There is no need to drown while waving. The most important thing is to know how to paddle, swim or float. The concepts will exist in some way or another in whatever language and whereever you are right now.

For example:

  1. Ethics
  2. Diligence
  3. Consistency
  4. Trustworthiness
  5. Compassion
  6. Generosity

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
  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
Robyn Doreian explores compatibility, love and sustainability recalling "I left my husband on my 30th birthday. It was time to stop repeating the same mistake” via The Age

Stephen Lacey explores skilfulness, loyalty and camaraderie when "‘You better watch your mouth’: How Brittnee keeps drama at bay for colleague Lochie” via The Sydney Morning Herald

Jackson Graham explores learning, engaging and appetising "From plain noodles to paella, this school is converting fussy eaters one lunch at a time” via The Age


Intra
Jo Stanley explores presence, awareness and appreciation in "The three little words helping me to make the most of every moment” via The Sydney Morning Herald

Nell Geraets explores place, people and purpose in "David Malouf shaped our literary landscape. Here are his seven must-read novels” via The Age

Dani Valent explores migration, hospitality and sustainability recounting "‘Two cappucinos’: the order that created an Australian landmark” via The Age


Inter
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Religion, Death and Bodies with Kae Tempest who shares "Write what you can’t bear to admit’ – plus two more rules Kae lives by to make art” via The Sydney Morning Herald

Stephen Lacey explores identity, connection and belonging when "Ronald ‘broke’ when his partner of 27 years had a heart attack. His best friend pulled him through” via The Sydney Morning Herald

Kathy Lette explores gender, aging and sisterhood when "Rachel Ward’s Instagram post blew up – but the main pile-on came from a surprising source” via The Age


Multi
Katia Ariel explores people, diversity and migration in "My suburb is the heart of the city’s shtetl-south. It’s no utopia but a lesson in coexistence” via The Age

Stephanie Bunbury explores childhood, parenting and therapy in "Why a film about motherhood tested Jodie Foster in more ways than one” via WA Today

Tim Elliott explores gender, death threats and seeking asylum "‘People tried to burn down our office’: When Marianella’s career took off, she wasn’t expecting the backlash” via The Sydney Morning Herald


All
Tyson Wray explores living, loving and laughing in "‘Really, the kayak one?’ Celia Pacquola takes home top comedy festival prize” via The Age

Madeleine Gray explores proximity, parenting and patience recounting how "As a child, I fell for the ‘evil stepmother’ myth. Then life handed me a plot twist” via The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Mattessi explores identity, connection and belonging in "People say my suburb is Australia’s coolest. To me it’s just families creating magic” via The Age


Togather
Stephen Brook explores gathering, purpose and shining light "From a naked flatmate to artistic joy: one man’s journey with the Hills Hoist” via The Sydney Morning Herald

Melanie Kembrey explores identity, connection and belonging in "The history book running out of room for awards stickers has won again” via The Age

Jane Wheatley explores information, accessibility and trustworthiness in "A seriously ill newborn and a desperate father searching for answers: Wikipedia’s unlikely origin story” via WA Today


Nobly
Melissa Cunningham explores identity, community and building to overcome "‘We don’t allow people like you in here’: The traumatised community working to rebuild their lives” via The Sydney Morning Herald

Hugh Taylor explores benefitting health, improving equity and realising outcomes when "Fifty years ago, these men set out to defeat an insidious disease. A fortnight ago, they did” via The Age

Rachael Ward explores identity, connection and belonging in "The local legends helping isolated students feel at home” via The Age

  

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:
When is the right time to practice self-acceptance, sympathetic joy and generosity of spirit?
        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 pondering epitome, epithet, epiphany, brazen & bonhomie.

        pondering
        [pon’der’ring]
        From Middle English (in the sense) = appraise, judge the worth of; from Old French ponderer = consider, from Latin ponderare = weigh, reflect on; from pondus, ponder- = weight.

        verb
        • think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion. Ie, I pondered the question of what clothes to wear for the occasion. Ie, the student sat pondering over the last exam question.

        epitome
        [ee’pit’oh’mee]
        From early 16th century; via Latin from Greek epitomē, from epitemnein = abridge, from epi = in addition, upon + temnein = to cut.

        noun
        1. a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type. Ie, they looked the epitome of elegance and good taste.
        2. a summary of a written work; an abstract.
          • (archaic) a thing representing something else in miniature.

        epithet
        [ep’pih’tet]
        From late 16th century; from French épithète, or via Latin from Greek epitheton, neuter of epithetos = attributed, from epitithenai = add, from epi = in addition, upon + tithenai = to place.

        noun
        • an adjective or phrase expressing a quality or attribute regarded as characteristic of the person or thing mentioned. Ie, the grandparent's attitude to sex before marriage is often known by the epithet ‘old school’.
          • a word used as a term of abuse. Ie, people jeered and hurled racial epithets.

        epiphany
        [eh’piff’ah’nee]
        From Middle English; from Greek epiphainein = reveal. The sense relating to the Christian festival is via Old French epiphanie and ecclesiastical Latin epiphania.

        noun
        1. a moment of sudden and great revelation or realization. Ie, a few years ago, I had an epiphany.
        2. (Christianity) Epiphany is the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12).
          • the Christian festival commemorating the Epiphany on 6 January. Ie, many submerge themselves in ice water to celebrate Epiphany.
        3. a manifestation of a divine or supernatural being. Ie, many believe this scene to represent an epiphany of the spirits.

        brazen
        [bray’zen]
        From Old English bræsen = made of brass, from bræs = brass, of unknown ultimate origin.

        adjective
        1. bold and without shame. Ie, they went about their business with a brazen assurance. Ie, a brazen performance.
        2. (literary, or archaic) made of brass. Ie, brazen fire irons.
          • harsh in sound. Ie, the music's brazen chords.
        verb
        • endure an embarrassing or difficult situation by behaving with apparent confidence and lack of shame. Ie, there was nothing to do but brazen it out.

        bonhomie
        [bon’hoh’mee]
        From late 18th century; from French, from bonhomme = good fellow.

        noun
        • cheerful friendliness; geniality. Ie, they exuded good humour and bonhomie.
        [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.