Old news. Bad news. Fake news. Sometimes you want to shut down and get no news at all! I aim to change that by focusing on good people doing good works. I visit with artists, educators, civic & spiritual leaders, musicians, business owners, students, volunteers, and everyday citizens who are using their creativity, resources, and talents to bring hope, happiness, and goodness to their corner of the world.
Episodes
Wednesday Jul 15, 2020
Wednesday Jul 15, 2020
Ep. 93 - The Truth Of Our Biases - A Beacon Series Interview Ft. Professor Simran Jeet Singh—educator, writer, activist, and scholar.
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Sometimes I feel that I may have made a mistake when I named this podcast. Having a show called “Find the Good News” sets the precedent that my guests and I must only talk about positive things. While my end goal is to always lean our conversations toward goodness and good works, I realize fully that we can’t get there by ignoring the obvious troubles we are facing right now in the world.
Intentionally staring deeply into dark chasms filled with brokenness, suffering, despair, and injustice has been a part of my personal journey of awakening and healing since the very beginning, and if you’re a regular listener then you know I walk that path with the guests of this show. The most important part of that companionship is that we walk into those troubled places together, in support of one another, with an intention to learn from what we see and to bring information out that can be put to good work immediately.
My companion into the blight for this episode of “Find the Good News” is educator, writer, activist, and scholar Professor Simran Jeet Singh. Simran is regularly on the frontline of many conversations regarding issues of diversity, inclusion, and equity.
As an American citizen, and a devoted Sikh, Simran had to deal with many of these societal biases throughout his childhood, only to have those biases strengthened after the September 11th attacks in 2001. During our visit, he offered unique, firsthand perspectives that are honest about the truth of our biases.
In a country whose fabric is literally crafted from a manifold array of cultures, colors, and fibers, there is still a very strong tendency for those at the loom to bleach away the beautiful patterns that could emerge. The white-washing of history in an attempt to remove the stains and pains of the past is a very present reality.
As Simran and I discuss, it is absolutely critical that we acknowledge where we’ve been so we can heal the old multigenerational wounds inflicted by racism, bigotry, and an unwillingness to fully appreciate all the textures of humanity. He allowed me to speak with him openly, without judgment. He offered a brother’s ear, and heartfelt kindness.
The cyclical rhythms of injustice and ignorance have resulted in a swelling tidal rage that has crested the levies of apathy. Change is the law, and the flood of outrage that has emerged is a natural result of too much pain and discrimination for far too long. That is why I believe that conversations like the one I had with Simran Jeet Singh must happen more often. They are happening now.
As different as we each many seem on the surface, there is a human kinship and common dream of peace, equanimity, and well-being that can emerge if allies keep finding each other and working together. Visiting with Simran Jeet Singh filled me with an unbiased hope that it is possible.
Now, it’s time to tune your attention to this Good News Beacon, and press play on a little good news.
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SUPPORT FIND THE GOOD NEWS ON PATREON >> www.Patreon.com/FindTheGoodNews
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MEET PROFESSOR SIMRAN JEET SINGH >> https://www.simranjeetsingh.org/
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FIND THE GOOD NEWS IS PRODUCED BY PARKER BRAND CREATIVE SERVICES >> www.ParkerBrandUp.com
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SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS
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BRIMSTONE MUSEUM >> www.brimstonemuseum.org or Call (337) 527-0357
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Thursday Jul 02, 2020
Thursday Jul 02, 2020
Ep. 92 - The Resonant Strings - A Beacon Series Interview Ft. Meido Moore Roshi, abbot of Korinji, a Rinzai Zen monastery, and author of "The Rinzai Zen Way: A Guide to Practice" by Shambala Publications.
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Zen. In the circles I’ve traveled it is a word that is often said and even more misunderstood.
Truth? I am still trying to understand it myself.
More truth? When I feel like I’ve built a nice and sturdy framework for it, the structure I’ve constructed topples to sticks and stones.
I laugh about it. I cry about it. I let go. I start again.
“This,” I think, “is Zen!" But is it?
It’s this question that lies at the heart of my conversation with Meido Moore Roshi, abbot of Korinji, a Rinzai Zen monastery in Wisconsin, where he transmits Zen Buddhist teachings that can find roots as far back as 5th century India.
Meido is an 86th-generation Zen dharma heir and a 48th-generation holder of the lineage descended from Rinzai Gigen.
The Rinzai Zen way, as instructed by Meido Moore Roshi, places particular emphasis on making use of the body as part of the practice, as well as fine arts, and internal energetic work. It was clear to me that he has an elemental connection and appreciation for the natural world, sharing this with his students by incorporating earth, air, fire, and water into their training. While there is certainly an aesthetic to Zen that is quite peaceful and minimalist, Meido is clear that the Rinzai way is much more akin to boot camp than a day at the spa.
In this conversation, Meido graciously helped clarify many of the concepts of Zen Buddhism, not least of all these three; What am I? What is this life for? Why is there suffering? Tucked in the green hills and farmlands of Madison, Wisconsin there is, at this very moment, an abbot and his students sincerely seeking the answers to these very questions. Wisdom and compassion are cultivated. The wheel of the dharma turns. Transmission occurs. I am reminded that it is good to have obtained this human existence.
“This," I think, “is Zen."
Now, it’s time to tune your attention to this Good News Beacon, and press play on a little good news.
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SUPPORT FIND THE GOOD NEWS ON PATREON >> www.Patreon.com/FindTheGoodNews
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MEET MEIDO MOORE ROSHI >> https://www.facebook.com/meido.moore
BUY "THE RINZAI WAY" >> https://bookshop.org/books/the-rinzai-zen-way-a-guide-to-practice/9781611805178
SUPPORT KORINJI MONASTERY >> https://www.korinji.org/
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FIND THE GOOD NEWS IS PRODUCED BY PARKER BRAND CREATIVE SERVICES >> www.ParkerBrandUp.com
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SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS
•••••••••••••
BRIMSTONE MUSEUM >> www.brimstonemuseum.org or Call (337) 527-0357
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