James returns from his recent teaching In Europe and Israel. Besides his trip to the West Bank for a glimpse of Palestinian life, he shares a fascinating project: Israelis’ actually changed their attitude about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a marketing experiment called “The Conflict Campaign” based on paradoxical thinking principles.
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The video clip of the campaign in the talk can be found at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZadiztzLt0
To learn more about “The Fund for Reconciliation Tolerance and Peace” go to:
http://www.frtp-arik-peace.org/
Or, “Like” their Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/fund4rtp

Let others know.

This is a practice that brings in ease to the mind and body, offering relief from our dukkha while also supporting more mental clarity to see through some of our confusion and aversion. It can be used for stress, grief, and being overwhelmed. It can also be used to prepare for more concentration and steady mindfulness when the mind or body is a bit stirred up.

As a Zen teacher of mine used to say,"Life... very serious joke." Things can get real heavy sometimes - in life, and in contemplative practice. This talk explores the importance of finding some levity and enjoyment in our formal spiritual practice through the lens of play. Enjoy!

Is it something deep within, is it a feeling of familiarity and spiritual belonging, or is it a physical place or group of people?

Imagine an economy based on alleviating suffering and encouraging a thriving planet. Della Duncan, a Gross National Happiness (Bhutan) master trainer and alternative economist who teaches at the highly respected Schumacher College in England guides us in an exploration of Buddhist Economics through quotes, poems, and real-world case studies. We look at the stories and beliefs behind the numbers, challenge traditional assumptions, and integrate the insights with our own Right Livelihood journeys.

Suzie Brown is from Melbourne, Australia. She’s co-founder of the Melbourne Insight Meditation Group and has taught Mindfulness to medical students at Monash University. Suzie has also been a facilitator, trainer and educator for over a decade in the areas of environmental sustainability and organizational strategy.

Ajahn Chandako is the abbot of Vimutti Buddhist Monastery near Auckland, New Zealand and the Redwood Hermitage in Boulder Creek, CA. His interest in the teachings of the Buddha grew as he studied towards a B.A. degree in religious studies at Carleton College in the US. Wishing to devote his life fully to the teachings of the Buddha, in 1990 he ordained as a monk in the Thai Forest Tradition, in the lineage of Venerable Ajahn Chah. Ajahn Chandako then spent 15 years training with forest meditation masters throughout Thailand before establishing Vimutti Monastery in 2004. Ajahn is the author of numerous books and articles and regularly teaches in the United States and Asia.

After seeing the movie "Won't You Be My Neighbor" about Mr. (Fred) Rogers, James offers reflections about how deeply we can be touched and inspired by the good we see in others. That capacity to be touched by and love goodness is, in some sense, the heart of spiritual practice. Something in us loves the truth and is drawn to goodness around us. And it makes us yearn to activate the good inside.