[Edited extract from public address]
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:
“Peace is not the absence of war, it is:
a virtue,
a state of mind,
a disposition for love,
honesty and trustworthiness.”
Attributed to Buddhism (since 483 BCE to present)
If having no reason to celebrate, here are some prepared earlier:
- 10 November: World Science Day for Peace and Development (International)
- 16 November: International Day for Tolerance (International)
- 25 November: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (International)
This edition, we explore the Ancient Indian Hindu concept of the Pancha Mahabhutas/5 Classical Elements (Sanskrit/English).
The 5 Elements are:
- Prithvi/Earth
- Ap/Water
- Agni/Fire
- Vayu/Air
- Akasha/Ether or Aether or Space
The presence of each is important and essential for life, although there may be different proportions of each to account for diversity of gender, expression, uniqueness, ability and timing.
Oppositely, the element’s absence, disproportionally or disturbance at any stage of life causes obstacles, illness, inability, disease or premature death.
There are many ways humans have invented concepts to try to explain life, live more useful productive lives and drive more happiness. 5 Essential Elements through the viewfinder of Love is another one.
Life is very cold, hard and disconnected if there is a void where the warmth of love should be. (Alternative imperfect words for love are Kindness, Patience, Empathy, Tolerance, Acceptance, Socialisation, Belonging. Alternative imperfect words for love-absence are Dispassion, Impatience, Derision, Intolerance, Rejection, Exclusion and Loneliness.)
The manifestations of this love-void are limitless but in general (through the 5 Elements View):
- Earth types become preoccupied with not-doing (love hurt in the past so never again.)
- Water types become preoccupied with tears and smothering (feeling more love should come from you, here)
- Fire types become preoccupied with detachment (determined that less love should come from me, now)
- Air types become preoccupied with sense gratification (hoping love will come from here, there or anywhere else)
- Space types become preoccupied with intellectually pride (expecting love to come from everyone else)
Simplistically, 1 element becomes disturbed, through more Confusion we attach to that disturbance and then think, say or do more things that support our conclusion or make more disturbances, vibrating through other 4 elements.
Of course this is only a temporary truth (or conditional truth). More Truthfully, a living being is an interconnected biological composite: 1 element can not be disturbed without other elements being affected.
It is useful to note that this Suffering is of the fleshed, material, worldly or physical Body Mind (that which does). Suffering can also apply to the Vital Mind (that which thinks and speaks). And the Suffering of Spiritual Mind is more an illusion. Meaning, the Spiritual Mind is in itself not a thing, so has no-thing to Suffer. It is pregnant with countless possibilities that only has resonance once it is present in a Body, expands in presence in an awakening mind and fully and lastingly present in Awakened Mind.
So, it is truer to say, that it is just our Awareness that changes with time, expertise and/or any remedies present, applied, incorrectly applied or ignored. The longer the disturbance stays around, the deeper the disturbance.
The disturbances are naturally occurring phenomenon in mind. If we work with mind, we start to Awaken our inner abilities to discern between each, know each of the specific antidotes and start to transform disturbances to their mirror-like wisdoms. As we practice more, we gain experience and this builds trust in the methods and our own natural inner wisdoms.
The 5 Classical Elements can also be composed to make the Tri-Doshas/3 Aggregates or 3 Compounding Principles (Sanskrit/English).
We do not need to know Sanskrit or be Hindu to use this way. 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
- Control Booth Productions: Acknowledgement of Country (2 mins)
- The Daily Show: Artis Stevens - The Power of Mentorship with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (9 mins)
- Yinfi: How China Built Tech Power Without Critical Thinking (18 mins)
- You Can't Ask That: The reality of being transgender in Australia (27 mins)
- SBS: Learn English
4. Media Writes
Approx 5 min readsJohn Bailey explores time, passing and spontaneity "In praise of the queue: Standing in line is a form of mindfulness” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Lisa Hollinshead explores childhood, exploration and play in "What three strangers taught a single mum on a trip to New Zealand” via The Age
Nicole Elphick explores gender, role models and algorithms in "Why Marc Fennell threw himself into the ‘deep end’ of the manosphere” via WA Today
Intra
Greg Callaghan explores identity, connection and belonging in "How the wrong set of keys sparked a lasting friendship between educator Bee and physicist Xanthe” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Anna McGuinness and Tyrone Dalton explore history, commemoration and convention when "Piano taken down gold mine for unique underground concert in Bendigo” via ABC News
Katherine Smyrk explores people, place and passion when reviewing how "Margaret Preston helped define Australian modern art but took from First Nations artists to do it” via ABC News
Inter
Kerrie O’Brien explores singing about mortality, fantasy and caring when "Helen Garner on the worst three weeks of her life" via The Age
Nina Karnikowski explores motivation, travel and experience in "After years chasing ‘sustainable’ travel, here’s what I’ve learnt” via The Brisbane Times
Louise Rugendyke explores gender, violence and redress when "Anna Torv was always told ‘don’t go out in that skirt’. Her superb new show challenges that idea” via WA Today
Multi
Lulu Garcia-Navarro explores technology, society and decency in "The architect of television’s ‘walk and talk’ is back and taking on Facebook – again” via The Brisbane Times
Dani Valent explores identity, connection and belonging when "An Australian army veteran and an Afghan refugee met for coffee. What happened next changed both their lives” via The Age
Benjamin Law explores identity, gender and expression in "‘There were times I was a horrible friend’: How James and Olly kept their friendship alive for decades” via The Sydney Morning Herald
All
Felicity Lewis and Angus Holland explores time, collaborating and coordinating when "It’s daylight saving time again – but why do we have it at all?” via WA Today
Stephen Lacey explores science, connection and belonging in "The father-daughter duo facing death both professionally and personally” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Anna Borges explores conflicts, communication and camaraderie in "The one thing strong couples do when they fight” via The Brisbane Times
Togather
Bridie Smith explores education, engaging and envrionment in "Overseas trips and high country hikes: How schools manage students’ most difficult year” via The Age
Ellen Phiddian explores time, technology and timing in "Nuclear clocks could become world's most accurate timekeepers” via ABC News
Kerrie O’Brien explores identity, expression and engaging "From a refugee camp to global acclaim: Atong Atem finds her place” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Nobly
Caroline Schelle explores gender, opportunity and accessibility and other reasons why "This school is so popular thousands miss out on entry every year” via The Age
Benjamin Law explores dicey topics Politics, Religion and Money "‘I love it when children ask questions’: How the ABC’s Nas Campanella handles daycare dropoff” via The Brisbane Times
Liz Gooch explores adversity, process and supporting justice when "‘I feel like I’m going to be sick’: Witnesses and victims are often traumatised in court. Enter an army of volunteers” via The Sydney Morning Herald
5. TED Talks
5-20 min presentations- Kevin Heath: A powerful Acknowledgement of Country (8 mins)
- Lisa Gralnek: Give yourself some grace (12 mins)
- Katie Paris: Campaigns spend millions to influence voters. This works better (11 mins)
- Reginald Dwayne Betts: Why I’m building libraries inside prisons (13 mins)
- Lei Cheng: What I learned about freedom in a secret Chinese prison (11 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
[ak’sep’ting]
From late Middle English: from Latin acceptare, frequentative of accipere = take something to oneself, from ad- = to + capere = take + Old English -ung, -ing, of Germanic origin = denoting a verbal action, an instance of this, or its result; denoting a verbal action relating to an occupation, skill, etc; denoting material used for or associated with a process etc; denoting something involved in an action or process but with no corresponding verb; forming the gerund of verbs (such as painting as in I love painting).
verb
- consenting to receive or undertake (something offered). Ie, the student was accepting a pen as a present. Ie, the applicant is accepting of a temporary post as a clerk.
- give an affirmative answer to (an offer or proposal); say yes to. Ie, they would accept their offer and see what happened. Ie, the classmate offered the student a lift home who was accepting.
- (dated) say yes to a proposal of marriage from (a man). Ie, what if Elizabeth accepted Darcy the first time?.
- receive as adequate, valid, or suitable. Ie, the college is accepting her as a student. Ie, credit cards are widely accepted.
- regard favourably or with approval; welcome. Ie, the Irish were never accepting of visitor as one of them.
- (of a thing) be designed to allow (something) to be inserted or applied. Ie, vending machines are accepting of 100-yen coins for cans of beer.
- believe or come to recognize (a proposition) as valid or correct. Ie, the group eventually were accepting of this tentative explanation. Ie, experience is accepting that ageing is a continuous process.
- take upon oneself (a responsibility or liability); acknowledge. Ie, the clerk is accepting their responsibility. Ie, Ie, they are accepting that a mistake was made.
- tolerate or submit to (something unpleasant or undesired) Ie, they are accepting of the need to cut overheads.
acceptable
[ak’sep’tah’ball]
From late Middle English: from Old French, from late Latin acceptabilis, from acceptare, frequentative of accipere = take something to oneself, from ad- = to + capere = take.
adjective
- able to be agreed on; suitable. Ie, the electoral arrangements must be acceptable to the people.
- moderately good; satisfactory. Ie, Australian Sparkling Wine is more than an acceptable substitute for champagne.
- pleasing; welcome. Ie, a cup of tea and a biscuit for Afternoon Break would be most acceptable.
- able to be tolerated or allowed. Ie, pollution in the city had reached four times the acceptable level.
perceptible
[per’cep’tih’bool]
From late Middle English: from late Latin perceptibilis, from Latin percipere = seize, understand; from per- = entirely + capere = take.
adjective
- especially of a slight movement or change of state, able to be seen or noticed. Ie, a perceptible decline in public confidence.
susceptible
[suss’sep’tih’bool]
From early 17th century: from late Latin susceptibilis, from Latin suscipere = take up, sustain, from sub- = from below + capere = take.
adjective
- likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing. Ie, patients with liver disease may be susceptible to infection.
- of a person, easily influenced by feelings or emotions; sensitive. Ie, they only do it to tease – new comers are too susceptible.
- capable or admitting of. Ie, the problem is not susceptible of a simple solution.
except
[ek’sept]
From late Middle English: from Latin except- = taken out, from the verb excipere, from ex- = out of + capere = take.
preposition
- not including; other than: they work every day except Sunday | I was naked except for my socks.
- used before a statement that forms an exception to one just made. Ie, I didn't tell them anything, except that I needed the money. Ie, our berets were the same except mine was blue.
- (archaic) unless. Ie, I never offer advice, except if it is asked of me.
- specify as excluded from a category or group. Ie, some classes of advertisement are excepted from control.
exception
[ek’sep'shen]
From late Middle English: via Old French from Latin exceptio(n-); from Latin except- = taken out, from the verb excipere, from ex- = out of + capere = take + -ion = suffix forming nouns denoting verbal action or a resulting state or product.
noun
- a person or thing that is excluded from a general statement or does not follow a rule. Ie, the pianist always plays top tunes, and tonight was no exception. Ie, the administrator made an exception in the Colonel's case and waived the normal visiting hours.
exceptional
[ek’sep’shen'all]
From late Middle English: via Old French from Latin exceptio(n-); from Latin except- = taken out, from the verb excipere, from ex- = out of + capere = take + -ion = suffix forming nouns denoting verbal action or a resulting state or product + -al = suffix relating to; of the kind of or forming nouns chiefly denoting verbal action.
adjective
- unusual; not typical. Ie, late claims will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances. Ie, we had a cold spell which was exceptional for the islands.
- unusually good; outstanding. Ie, a child of exceptional ability. Ie, the quality of service is exceptional.
- (US English) of a child, mentally or physically disabled and requiring special schooling. Ie, helping parents of exceptional children.
- (Reporting) an extraordinary item in a company's accounts arising from its normal activity but much larger or smaller than usual.
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.
