Afleveringen
-
Episode #230: “Unfortunately, in 2020, after the NLD won a landslide election, there was a military coup. And [then] the PDF resistance started. I took part in the resistance as I had years before, but there is a difference this time, too,” explains Nway.
Inspired by his mother, an active participant in politics since Ne Win's 1962 coup, Nway's involvement in the resistance included clandestine communication with Aung San Suu Kyi during her detention and risky efforts to deliver messages to imprisoned allies, among many other important tasks.
Despite the supposed democratic transition post-2010, Nway criticizes this period as superficial, with the 2008 Constitution maintaining military dominance. He rebuked international pressure for elections as a facade of democracy, emphasizing the need for genuine systemic change. The most recent coup escalated his activism, compelling his support for armed resistance and relocation to Mae Sot for safety. Nway also highlights the intricate relationship between Buddhism and politics in Myanmar, acknowledging the tension between nationalistic and progressive monks within the context of the country's struggle for democracy and the military's manipulation of religion to maintain power.
“If we win the revolution, the international community will see a very civilized society in Burma, which will be very active in promoting peace for the whole world,” Nway says in closing. “But if the junta wins, you will have a society which believes in the stone age. So, I would like to request of you, please understand the feeling of people of Burma! We left our country, we want to be like you, we want our kids to be like your kids, to go to school and also we want to sleep with our family like you want to sleep with your family. That is why we are trying to get rid of the military in our political system. This is not only for a party sake, not only for an ethnicity sake, it is for all the people of Burma and also the people of the world.”
-
Episode #229: Leon Kennedy's life is a chronicle of personal struggle. Growing up in an era of historical significance, his parents were heavily involved in the Civil Rights Movement, with figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks frequent visitors to his grandparent's home. But when his parents divorced, the pain and the absence of a male role model led him down a path of rebellion despite the noble influences that had surrounded him. His mom sent him to an all-white high school, which in the South was very hard for an African-American, and a sense of fight was fueled in him.
Leon's tumultuous youth saw him involved in a violent incident that nearly cost a man his life, resulting in Leon's incarceration. During his nine-year sentence, he embraced reading and music; upon his release, he sought normalcy through work and family life. However, the lure of his former life led to a bank robbery and another prison sentence. It was during his second incarceration that he discovered Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka, which became a transformative force in his life.
Leon's commitment to Vipassana continued despite the challenges posed by the prison system's resistance. He became a model prisoner, engaging deeply in self-help and meditation, eventually featured in a documentary. The practice of Vipassana allowed him to view the sacrifices of the Civil Rights leaders with even greater reverence, even as he connects it to the ongoing crisis in the Golden Land today. He served out his sentence, and is now a committed and involved advocate.
He reflects on his spiritual connection to Myanmar in light of the country’s struggle. “How can [one] know what's going on [in Myanmar] and not reach back? That speaks to a different discounting level of your humanity. So whether it be Myanmar or any place in the world where there is oppression and suffering, this suffering and these injustices have been going on since the beginning of time. It is a blessing to be a part of that cloth or personhood where you can be a part of the solution, to be a light shining in a dark place, just a spark. So to my brothers and sisters in Myanmar and other places in the world, where they're being oppressed, slaughtered, genocide, starved, enslaved: Whether it be Vipassana, Christianity, Islam or whatever it is their special place where you find that strength and you can just hold out, and hope against hope.”
-
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
Episode #228: Jane Ferguson speaks about her recent book, Repossessing Shanland: Myanmar, Thailand, and a Nation-State Deferred. The book’s title refers to Shan attempts to reclaim their land and community after many years of conflict.
Ferguson explains that contemporary concepts of identity—like “ethnicity”—are often mistakenly used to interpret the past. Rather, her study reveals the lack of pan-Shan identity, and that even the way the Shan practiced Buddhism varied from east to west. The British, with hopes of a more efficient Empire, tried unsuccessfully to get the Shan to unite.
Many Shan migrants work in Thailand, where they eke out a living to send money back to their families and communities in Myanmar. Recent changes in Thai-Myanmar relations and plans to create economic zones, however, raise many questions about the future of this arrangement.
During the transition years, the Shan were skeptical that the NLD would be supportive of their political and economic interests. Whether it was the elected government under Aung San Suu Kyi or the military regime that was in power, they often felt they were caught between a rock and a hard place.
In closing, Ferguson says that there is this idea that, “Okay, now that the military is back in the saddle, everybody has a common enemy again, so they're more likely to unite… I've met some really creative people that have incredible ideas for building a better future. I can't begin to express the horrors and the biggest internal conflict that Myanmar is fighting since the time of World War Two, it's tremendous. But on the other hand, there are some pockets of real optimism.”
-
Episode #227: Nathan Ruser, a specialist at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), is an expert in geo-mapping. Building on his experience using satellite imagery to track human rights violations in areas like Syria and Shenzhen, Ruser has begun analyzing the unique nature of the conflict in Myanmar. Influenced by the country’s geographic and ethnic diversity, the clashes here defy conventional understanding, and Ruser has developed a numerical scale to map control levels, often having to assess the situation village-by-village. His methodology contrasts starkly with oversimplified media representations.
Ruser employs ground reports to complement satellite imagery in creating a richer picture of conflict. For example, he has identified helicopter pads at nearly all junta bases, which illustrates their growing reliance on air support for supply and reinforcements. This, in turn, shows how they are perceived as an occupying force by locals. With the junta's diminishing ground control, they are taking a more defensive posture overall, in particular strengthening their urban strongholds, reminiscent to Ruser of the tactics Assad used in Syria. And now, Operation 1027 has further altered the landscape. Resistance forces are taking key locations, which he suggests could indicate a potential overall collapse of the military.
Despite this, the junta’s air superiority and strategic defense of high terrain remain significant. Ruser’s analysis also underscores the West's missed opportunity to engage meaningfully with Myanmar's democratic revolution, hindered by a reluctance to intervene in civil conflicts post-Libya 2011, a stance that has rendered the Right to Protect (R2P) framework largely ineffective.
In closing, Ruser wants to stress that we are now witnessing a sea change in the crisis taking shape before our eyes. “Thousands of kilometers in the sky, on a satellite looking down, you can see the change in tone of this conflict,” he says. “The idea that you can turn a country that has historically been a violent dictatorship into… a flourishing, progressive, great democracy; I think that's an opportunity!” Yet he points out this won’t follow a conventional trajectory as it goes forward. “There's not going to be a movement where there's a slow democratization of the country, where the military enables the country to become more democratic… It's a matter of the military winning or the military losing. Not putting your foot on either side is definitely a hindrance rather than a help.”
-
Episode #226: After the National League for Democracy (NLD) party’s landslide victory in 2015, Ko Ko Gyi remembers thinking to himself, “Okay, this is the time to retire from my activism, so let's just relax. I felt forced to retire." This is now a rueful memory as Ko Ko Gyi looks back over some of the key moments in his decades-long struggle for Myanmar’s freedom, and autonomy from military rule and brutality.
The trigger for his activism was in 1987 when the Burmese government suddenly invalidated currency notes, devastating the economy and propelling Ko Ko Gyi and his peers at the Rangoon Institute of Technology into action. The violent clashes with security forces that ensued, particularly the horrific night when peaceful protests were met with lethal force, ignited the 8888 Uprising.
Ko Ko Gyi's journey led him to the Thai-Burma border, as the military dictatorship evolved into the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). Uniting with ethnic militias like the Karen National Union (KNU), he fought for the regime's overthrow. In the fact of the army’s divide-and-conquer strategy and overwhelming military superiority, Ko Ko Gyi fled the country to continue to protest from abroad.
He relocated to the United States in 1993, where he continued his advocacy. He thought the elections of 2015 might finally have ended the need for activism, but the 2021 coup dashed that hope. Today, his activism is multifaceted, involving organizing rallies, supporting diplomatic efforts, fundraising, and promoting innovative financial strategies like war bonds for the NUG.
"We have voters' rights,” he says in closing, recognizing the power he now holds in possessing an American passport, “so we used those kinds of powers to approach the State Department. We definitely need the American people’s help, because… the voice of the people is very powerful. [Getting support] not only from the Burmese diaspora, but also the American voices, is more powerful. So, please help Burma more effectively and to help end the terrorist regime!”
-
Episode #225: In this third part of the ongoing discussion with Jonathan Crowley, we delve deeper into his experiences as an Assistant Teacher in the S.N. Goenka tradition of Vipassana meditation. Jonathan starts off by saying how he was moved by his appointment as an assistant teacher, but also candidly describes how aspiring teachers learn the importance of feigning disinterest, creating a false ego around the process.
Jonathan then reflects on the weight of officially representing the organization, and how he grappled with the unspoken messaging behind its mission. He notes a paradoxical dynamic where Goenka shunned the title of guru publicly, while the culture within the organization promotes him as the unquestioned authority.
As Jonathan delved deeper into his practice and examined the organization's modus operandi, he began to see the “trojan horse” nature of the ten-day course format. By this, he means that it attracts students with open-handed encouragement and says they their own masters, yet funnels them into increasingly narrower scopes as they commit to the organization.
Despite deriving many transformative benefits from the practice, Jonathan started feeling the weight of the excessive faith expectations. He realized how storytelling and mythmaking play a crucial role in reinforcing this faith, and closing off avenues for questioning and critical thought.
-
Episode #224: Saw Htee Char, working under a pseudonym for safety reasons, has been heavily involved in Myanmar since the devastating Cyclone Nargis in 2008. Recognizing a significant gap in accessible, reliable information about the conflict in Myanmar, Saw Htee Char established the Substack page, Burma Coup Resistance Notes. Contrary to the often simplistic and misleading interpretations of the conflict as an internal issue with blame on both sides, Saw Htee Char presents a starkly different picture. He exposes the brutal and sadistic nature of the military regime's efforts to monopolize power, and highlights the desperate struggle of the Burmese people for a return to the semblance of democracy they experienced between 2015 and 2020.
Saw Htee Char's analysis delves into the military's strategic and operational failures. Despite its significant manpower and armaments, the military has consistently lost territory and failed to suppress the ethnic militias it has faced for decades. They now face widespread resistance that has grown in sophistication and determination, challenging the military's control even in traditionally Bamar-majority regions. Saw Htee Char points to Operation 1027 and subsequent actions that have fueled momentum for the resistance, leading to a progressively shrinking sphere of control for the military. The junta’s reliance on air power, he explains, is a sign of desperation rather than strength, drawing parallels with historical lessons on the limitations of air superiority in achieving control without effective ground forces.
“I just consider this this story so inspiring,” he says in closing. “And you also have to acknowledge that the people of Myanmar have received very little support from outside! They've been left to themselves and they've done it anyway, and that's even more incredible, given that they've got some powerful countries against them: China, Russia, India, Thailand, those who have supplied weapons to the junta or diplomatic recognition, even United Nations agencies that have played into the hands of the junta... So the people of Myanmar have carried through the struggle on their own against some very powerful foreign forces. And when they win, this victory will belong entirely to them. They will not owe anybody anything!”
-
Episode #223: Raised in a Myanmar military compound, Thinzar Shunlei Yi grew up sheltered from her nation's realities. University life exposed her to diverse ethnic narratives, challenging her military-centric worldview. Embracing democracy through literature and the internet, she grappled with guilt over the military's oppression. Her activism took shape through protests and performance art, even embodying a displaced Shan person to promote empathy among the Bamar majority.
The 2021 coup unified various groups against the military, and Thinzar saw this as an opportunity to advocate for a federal democracy. Her Buddhist faith guided her ethical activism, striving to separate true teachings from the military's nationalist propaganda. Her public portrayal of a military victim gained international support. Despite personal sacrifices, Thinzar's journey from a soldier's daughter to a prominet activist symbolizes a profound shift towards a hopeful future for Myanmar.
“You see all your close friends being tortured, sometimes killed, and also different stories coming out from the ground every day, we have to deal with these news,” Thinzar Shunlei Yi says in closing. “In the morning, you will be really sad and depressed, you don't know what to do, you're not in a position to control things; and in the evening, you will be motivated again, because you see the whole picture of what the revolution is about, and still people are striving, and this is for the good for the country.”
-
Episode #222: Davin Hartanto, an experienced migration agent, discusses changes in Australia's student visa strategy, particularly how it is affecting Myanmar nationals after the coup. The changes are intended to verify applicants' intentions to return home after studies, a problematic criterion for those from conflict zones. Hartanto explains the discretionary power of immigration officers, which has resulted in a high visa refusal rate for Burmese applicants, which escalated notably after the coup. He suggests a correlation between visa rejections and Australia's prioritization of Myanmar nationals already in-country.
Hartanto criticizes the politics of immigration, with the Labour Government accusing the previous Coalition Government of running a broken system, particularly concerning the Genuine Temporary Entrant visas. Despite proposed reforms, specifics remain unlegislated, leaving many in limbo.
Hartano notes a discrepancy in the treatment of Burmese asylum seekers compared to those from other conflict zones. Hartanto points to the importance of advocacy and unity to influence immigration policy, and highlights the role of political processes in these decisions. Yet as frustrating as this can seem on one hand, Hartanto also sees a silver lining in the form of greater activism, which can then impact policy.
“As much as we hope, and really want Australian government to do more, they're limited by the migration program quota [and] all these processes are really driven by the political process,” he says. “I understand and appreciate that the issues of immigration law is never as simple as it seems… My message to listeners is to unite, to keep raising this awareness, keep talking about it, keep sharing experiences amongst others, and keep helping each other.”
-
Episode #221: Our guest, Lorenzo Colombo, talks about the great Italian monk, U Lokānatha. Born Salvatore Cioffi near Naples in 1897, his family temporarily moved to New York due to economic difficulties. Salvatore embarked on a spiritual quest early in life. Though his family were devout Roman Catholics, Salvatore initially explored positivism but eventually found himself drawn to Buddhism, quite unusual for a Westerner at that time.
Salvatore abandoned his family and possessions, venturing to Asia in search of spiritual fulfillment. His quest took him through India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and finally to Burma in 1925, where he ordained as a Buddhist monk, adopting the name U Lokānatha. In the remote regions of northern Burma, he engaged in intense meditation, developing supernatural abilities and a deep understanding of Buddhist teachings.
U Lokānatha's journey didn't end there; he toured the US and Europe, introducing Buddhism as a practical and spiritual path for the common person. He connected Buddhist principles with science, politics, and psychology, emphasizing inner peace as a means to achieve world peace. His life touched a great many people, including such luminaries as Sayagyi U Ba Khin, Webu Sayadaw, B.R. Ambedkar, the Thai Royal Family, Munindra, S.N. Goenka, Sun Lun Sayadaw, General Aung San, the Sri Lankan head of state, and Mahasi Sayadaw, while also trying to even convert Mussolini and the Pope to Buddhism!
Despite facing challenges, U Lokānatha's unwavering determination and commitment to sharing the Dhamma left a lasting impact on the world. His story continues to inspire those on their own spiritual journeys, highlighting the transformative power of spiritual exploration and inner peace.
-
Episode #220: Elliott Prasse-Freeman, author of the recent book “Rights Refused,” joins the podcast for a wide-ranging, erudite discussion.
Prasse-Freeman first distinguishes between two kinds of anti-regime acts. One he calls an act of “refusal.” In other words, one avoids direct confrontation and instead supports various prosocial, community-based society initiatives around things the state is unwilling or unable to support. The other he calls an act of “resistance,” when it the time is ripe to physically protest.
Speaking about the culture of sacrifice that has evolved in Myanmar, especially since the coup, he sees Burmese activists carefully considering which pathway of protest is most appropriate in a given situation, while knowing that at some point, great personal sacrifice will eventually be demanded of them. It requires careful consideration to decide “when is the culture of sacrifice is truly sacrificial for the people, and when is it actually just for your own glory.” the years.
Another area Prasse-Freeman explores is the concept of “rights,” which is different than they are understood in the West. In Myanmar, they are more often understood as “opportunities,” as opposed to fundamental human privileges safeguarded by a society or nation.
In other words, having “rights” is not understood as a fundamental condition that all people should enjoy, but a zero-sum game where communities compete against each other for finite resources. More marginalized populations, such as the country’s ethnic minorities, must compete the hardest—and against each other—to get even a small slice of the remaining pie.
In closing, he says: “When you don't ever presuppose you have rights in the first place, you never get caught in that downward spiral of demobilization. You know that if you want something, you have to go out and create it! So it takes a lot of work, but it can also be hopeful at the same time.”
-
The Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS) in Washington DC leverages public data to uncover illicit activities linked to global security threats and human rights abuses. As our guest Savanna Slaughter explains, her team focuses on natural resource security, wildlife crimes, and national security concerns. In Myanmar, they have been investigating the junta's military funding and illicit financial flows, including crony financing.
However, sourcing data poses significant challenges, especially in Myanmar, where corporate activities are often shrouded in secrecy. C4ADS relies on public data, leaks, and informants to decipher complex networks. The team also utilizes digitized data and extensive cross-referencing with social media to construct clearer profiles of their subjects.
Investigating illicit financial operations involves tracing shell companies and obscured transactions, often requiring a mix of diligent research, data analysis, and sometimes luck or insights from criminal probes. Slaughter mentions the constant emergence of shell companies exacerbates their work, making their task akin to playing “Whack-A-Mole.”
“Moving forward with this is going to require a lot more innovation,” Slaughter says in closing, “in terms of identifying companies of interest, perhaps working to develop some screening lists, or building out directors of interest and combining corporate data in a new way to form screening lists for shell companies and things like that.”
-
Episode #219: “The whole military is fragile. The military is collapsing,” says Kyaw Zaw, the spokesperson for the National Unity Government. “This is an unprecedented time, and a turning point in this revolution. It shows that we are winning, and when we are fighting together, then the military is collapsing. When the military fails, then this revolution will succeed!”
Despite the pre-coup perception of Myanmar's military might, corruption and defections have significantly weakened it. Battalions are undermanned, while the NUG provides for defectors' families, aiming to rebuild the nation.
Concerning Operation 1027, Kyaw Zaw highlights the display of unity and close coordination amongst diverse groups in Myanmar. He envisions a transition from dictatorship to federal democracy, a system change backed by meticulous planning and broad cooperation.
He appreciates Western support but expresses disappointment in the lack of sanctions on jet fuel, as the military, bolstered by Russian aid, continues airstrikes. He hopes for greater UN and ASEAN involvement to curb Russian support and advocates for No Fly Zones or defense systems to protect civilians.
He also criticizes the UN's approach to humanitarian aid, which he claims bolsters military resources instead of reaching those in need. Kyaw Zaw remains optimistic that post-military rule will not lead to civil war, but ta unified, peaceful Myanmar focused on building a federal democracy. He stresses that the resistance is already laying the groundwork for a new charter and transitional government, with plans for a new Central Bank to revive the economy, highlighting Myanmar's potential for a democratic future.
-
Episode #218: Beth Upton, a former Buddhist nun who practiced extensively in Burma and has become an influential teacher in the West, returns to the podcast. She reflects on how the richness of Burmese Buddhism has profoundly impacted her identity and teaching style, and highlights the critical need to acknowledge and preserve its spiritual heritage, especially in the face of the ongoing crisis.
The prolonged conflict, she notes, has not only limited access to the depth of Burmese teachings, but she explains how it poses a threat to an understanding of Buddhist teachings globally, given Burma’s rich, diverse and unique depth of Buddhist teachings. She describes the challenge of interpreting suttas through modern cultural lenses, stressing the value of ancient commentaries common in Burmese Buddhist studies. Beth also believes that experiencing Burmese culture enriches one's understanding of Buddhism beyond just meditation techniques. She worries that reducing Buddha's teachings to “technique” overlooks the crucial relational aspects that are vital for spiritual growth.
She reflects on the generosity, warmth, and community spirit in Burmese Buddhism, which she has found hard to replicate in the West, but which offer invaluable insights into personal growth. For example, while Buddhist terms like karma and vipassana have spread globally, the key concept of ‘kusala’ (skillful action), which is so commonly referenced in Burmese Buddhist communities, is much less known. This concept encompasses a wholesome way of life, extending beyond meditation. The loss of access to Burmese Buddhist culture, she fears, leaves a gap in fully understanding these broader aspects of the practice.
“If we don't reciprocate, then we lose something in ourselves,” Beth says in closing. “We lose some authenticity or alignment in ourselves, on some level, and we know something is out of balance there. Whether you've directly spent time in Myanmar or not, if you are a dedicated practitioner of the Dhamma, then part of that has come from the Burmese tradition, and the dedication of the of Burmese practitioners over hundreds of years. So when we receive that gift, and we don't repay it when reciprocity is needed, we are not fully congruent in ourselves.”
-
Episode #217: Bo Thanmani has emerged as a pivotal figure in the resistance against the military coup in Myanmar. Born into poverty as Tun Oo, he became a monk to access education, which led to English study, further opening the door to democratic thought. His earlier advocacy for human rights led him to undertake bold Peace Walks across Germany, the US, and Thailand; garnering international attention in the process. However, the brutal response to peaceful protests after the 2021 military coup shattered his belief in nonviolence.
Frustrated by international inaction and witnessing the death of a friend, Bo Thanmani regretfully came to conclude that combatting the military required armed as well as nonviolent action. He disrobed and became a regional leader in the resistance. Controversy arose when a group under his aegis, the Yinmabin PDF, faced allegations of abductions and killings. Bo Thanmani vehemently denied personal involvement but admitted to the group's actions. “I don't know whether the international media or international readers will really believe or not if I am the murderer of these 10 people, but I tell you, I can swear, I never ordered, and I never sent someone to kill.”
Amidst the controversy, Bo Thanmani critiques the weakened state of Buddhism in Myanmar, blaming the military for destroying monasteries. Looking to the future, Bo Thanmani anticipates that there may very well be fewer monks and devout lay Buddhists in Myanmar… but he’s ok with this. “There will be only pure Buddhists and the monks who really love the Dhamma, and who really want to practice meditation. Those monks will remain in the future. So I don't concern with that.”
He remains committed to nonviolent action himself, his focus now on education. He remains hopeful, believing the crisis reveals true monastic allies of the people, and he foresees a future with fewer but more dedicated practitioners. Bo Thanmani's journey reflects the turbulent intersection of spirituality, activism, and the harsh realities of resisting oppressive regimes.
-
Episode #216: Helena Cing Deih Sian explores the interaction of socio-historical context and urban spaces, emphasizing how history manifests in architecture and planning. Her work investigates the influence of memories in shaping the narrative of a city, particularly focusing on Myanmar. She explores how architecture serves as a medium of identity expression and community remembrance, albeit sometimes warped by those in power.
Helena discusses how the military junta has manipulated historical narratives to maintain dominance, in particular overshadowing minority histories. She critiques the regime's practices, such as the rebranding of significant sites like the Yangon University's Student Union building, the commercialization of the Secretariat building, and the wholesale move to Nay Pyi Daw, as predilections to erase uncomfortable parts of the past. These actions, she suggests, demonstrate a governance style that relies on neglect and selective memory.
Despite the regime's attempts at historical manipulation, Helena finds hope in the persistence of oral histories and personal memories. The people's stories, particularly those shared through movements like the Civil Disobedience Movement, defy the junta's narrative control. Helena concludes that as long as these narratives are passed down, the true essence of Myanmar's history and the spirit of its people remain unassailable.
-
Episode #215: Ko Ko Aung's life journey is a testament to resilience and purpose amidst Myanmar's political unrest.
He was raised in a middle-class family in southern Myanmar, yet unlike his two brothers, Ko Ko Aung chose to focus on academics rather than the family business, making ngapi. He went to study law in Australia, aiming to aid his homeland's transition to democracy.
Upon graduation, Ko Ko Aung specialized in immigration law, unknowingly preparing for the post-2021 coup crisis that saw countless Burmese seek asylum. He found himself confronting an Australian system that often rejected Burmese visa applicants without proper review, contrasting starkly with the more positive treatment of refugees from Hong Kong, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. He labored pro bono, developing guides to navigate Australian immigration bureaucracy, yet faced a daunting rejection rate for Burmese applicants.
Despite the grim scenario, Ko Ko Aung remained hopeful, spotlighting options like the Protection Visa and the Skilled Refugee Visa Program. These alternatives gave a glimmer of hope for Burmese refugees, with the latter allowing community sponsorship. He also expresses the need for the Burmese community in Australia to do more outreach to educate people, including immigration officials, about what is happening in Myanmar
“During these difficult times, because we come from a Buddhist country, the teaching of the Dhamma, we cannot be we cannot forget about that. Meditation and our Buddhist teachings have been helping me a lot going through this,” he says in closing. “During these tough times, being mindful will help a lot in terms of getting through these tough times.”
-
Episode #214: Whit Hornsberger's spiritual journey began unexpectedly when a devastating ACL injury ended his basketball career at the University of Calgary. The loss of his identity as an athlete plunged him into darkness, and he sought solace in surfing and partying in Australia. His path took a significant turn, however, when he discovered the teachings of the Dalai Lama and delved into the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. “I laughed to myself, and I realized in that moment, I was certainly not happy!” Whit recalls upon reading The Art of Happiness. “If this was an art—that is happiness—I wanted to pursue it with as much intention as I did basketball and everything else that I've pursued in my life. So that's what got me going.”
So Whit signed up for a Mahasi-style vipassana course in California led by Jack Kornfield, and then later he sat an intensive (and life-altering) meditation course with Alan Clements at the Mahasi monastery in Yangon. Eventually, Whit returned to Canada, and became a sought-after teacher. Whit’s approach merges yoga and meditation, emphasizing mindfulness in all activities. He challenges the Western approach to yoga and meditation, advocating for a deeper, more holistic understanding of the practices. He encourages students to embrace discomfort and foster awareness within it.
Notably, Whit also emphasizes the interconnectedness of spirituality, shifting the focus from self-centered meditation to dedicating the fruits of one's actions to others and society. “This is the antithesis of a selfish path! It's possible to do things, including meditation, from a selfish perspective,” he says. “The ego instinct has many strategies as to how to make anything about itself, including spirituality.”
Whit's dedication to giving back extends to supporting monasteries and humanitarian missions in Myanmar, and does so despite not charging anything for his courses. He believes in honoring the wisdom that originated from these places and urged his students to express their innate generosity.
“When that mind goes back [after a meditation retreat] into its conditioned, myopic perspective, it doesn't think about Burma… the collection of dana for Myanmar is something that is hugely important for my own spiritual practice! And from what I've heard from practitioners, it's very important to them that we're helping out a place that has given us so much through these practices and through these teachings.”
-
Episode #213: Isaac Evans-Frantz outlines the mission of Action Corps, a U.S.-based organization dedicated to justice and solidarity in the face of global disasters. One of their initiatives is in support of ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Myanmar.
Even though Isaac has never visited Myanmar, the work hits home in a personal way. “When I was a child, somebody came to my class and spoke about surviving the Holocaust. He had been in a Nazi death camp, he showed us the number on his arm, and he told us horrific stories. I promised myself after that, that if I were ever in a position where I knew about some genocide that was happening… I would do everything that I could to stop that!” So for him, it was only natural that the situation in Myanmar would find a place in his heart.
Jade, a Kachin-American, has been working with Action Corps, and joins Evans-Frantz in the discussion. She emphasizes the importance of building a collective identity among diaspora communities, which has two parts. One regards the younger generation of the Burmese diaspora and their struggles with cultural identity as “third culture kids.” The other is the challenge of unity within the diaspora community, which is hindered by historical social, cultural and political divisions. The ability of the wider diaspora community to engage in advocacy is further complicated by the economic struggles many face in the U.S. and cultural norms of stoicism in the face of difficulties.
“Feel encouraged that there are people out here who are trying to make a difference and that you can too!” Jade says in closing. “No one is ever alone. Our power really does come from coming together and being in solidarity.”
-
Episode #212: Sean Turnell's remarkable journey in Myanmar, spanning over three decades, reflects a life deeply intertwined with the country's tumultuous history.
He first describes his extensive research on Myanmar's economy, culminating in his first book, “Fiery Dragons,” which highlighted the importance of understanding history and culture in economics.
Turnell's involvement deepened when he joined Aung San Suu Kyi's government as an economic advisor in 2016, a time fraught with challenges like the constant threat of a military coup and a looming banking crisis. His efforts to reform the banking sector faced resistance—along with personal threats— due to the involvement of criminal enterprises.
Following the military takeover on February 1st, 2021, Turnell was tried on trumped up espionage charges and imprisoned for 650 days. His ordeal was marked by Kafkaesque court proceedings, horrible prison conditions and multiple battles with COVID-19. Turnell did find some solace in books, and especially solidarity with fellow political prisoners. He was even able to get some guarded moments with Aung San Suu Kyi, who impressed him with her strength and resilience even in such terrible circumstances.
Turnell remains an outspoken opponent of the junta's crimes, despite facing extradition threats. The experience has transformed him, making him more inclined towards activism and advocacy.
Amid all those challenges, Turnell developed a deep faith in the courage and compassion of the Burmese people, believing that they will ultimately prevail in their quest for a brighter future. “From what I've seen, Myanmar is the collection of the best, the brightest, most courageous people I've ever met in my life and I remain confident that they'll win through in the end.”
- Laat meer zien
