Hey, it’s 2019 and we’re off to a bang with two new episodes! The first one is quite the experiment with our first guest host filling in for the mysterious, ephemeral stranger that is Mr Stuart Baldwin. Our first intrepid visitor is Gavin McCloskey from Northern Ireland has been China based for quite some time. He is his own man of course, and he brought some fine questions along for us to discuss. I’m afraid I did most of the talking, but Gavin had some great contributions to make and it was good having him on.
Our conversation touches primarily on practice and some of my more far out ideas emerge. You can hear Gavin’s views on Goenka and Mahasi Sayadaw and his experience of retreats with those lineages. We talk about innovation in practice, enlightenment, reincarnation, and much more.
See what you think and let us know how it goes in this experimental conversation. Feedback would be appreciated.
Our second episode features Dr Mickel Burley, a philosopher of religion from Leeds university in the UK: He wrote a fascinating book called Rebirth and the Stream of Life, which inspired me to have him on. He’s a big fan of Ludwig Wittgenstein too and we get to talking about who is widely considered the greatest philosopher of the 20th century, his thought and its uses for thinking about spirituality, Buddhism, rebirth and more. We also bridge the episode to our earlier discussion of karma and rebirth with Jayarava. Mick has also written on Hatha-Yoga, and perhaps more surprisingly, cannibalism, animal sacrifice, and the lack of imagination in philosophy surrounding rebirth and reincarnation. We also discuss philosophy East & West. Many of Mick’s article are freely available and curiously titled so so check out his university page for further links;
https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/philosophy/staff/30/dr-mikel-burley
Here’s looking forward to another fabulous year together exploring the wonderful world of Western Buddhism, theory and practice, Philosophy, and critical, creative thought.
Links
O’Connell Coaching: oconnellcoaching.com
Post-Traditional Buddhism: posttraditionalbuddhism.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/imperfectbuddha
Twitter: twitter.com/Imperfectbuddha
Music by Stray Dogg from their fresh new album ‘Look at the Moon’
straydogg.bandcamp.com/
The Imperfect Buddha 
Thanks for this episode (42). There’s a lot going on there with much material for thought. If you have the time I’d appreciate some links to some of the texts ye mentioned.
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As you rightly note, there’s a lot going on in the episode. Which theme or text were you referring to?
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At this late point in the witching hour, all I can recall is a mention of a particular Tom Pepper essay. I couldn’t nail the title. To be honest, I realise now that after I recheck my ‘second-listen’ timestamps, I will probably get it. Ta.
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Ok, Tom Pepper wrote an article called Full-Strength Atman. You should be able to find it easily enough.
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Dear & Venerable Friends, I am very happy and delighted connecting with you through this media and also to let you know that some of my good friends are making a difference with my important cause!
Please make a try yourself to help us building a Hermitage for providing living facilities for the venerable monks.
“He or She, who donates living facility, gives everything”—Lord Buddha.
It is said that only in selfless giving, and by being generous, that we are able to free our minds. The subject of this appeal presents just such an opportunity and it is for the most worthy of causes-to support a place of worship, at Tuichawng-2 village under Lunglei District, Mizoram, India. In so doing through your generous support make manifest the words of the most basic Buddhist prayer, to support the teachings of the Buddha, the remembrance of the Buddha, and the followers of the Buddha.
Establishment and construction of a Buddhist Hermitage at this remote village will serve the diverse spiritual needs of all Micro minority chakma Buddhists and non-Buddhists with warmth and spiritual openness. It will also serve as a center to teach and practice the techniques of meditation for the purpose of spiritual development.
So, Please help us to raise funds to build a hermitage at Tuichawng-2 village. I am reaching out to you in this meritorious deed, to raise funds required to contribution the needs for the monks.
If you could support my fundraising campaign by making a donation and then sharing it with your network, I would greatly appreciate it. I know that money can be tight, so please know that even $5 helps me get closer to my goal! Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll be happy to answer them.
Sudip Chakma
Coordinator and Fundraiser,
Mahabodhi Buddhist Temple, Tuichawng, Mizoram, India.
http://ket.to/Help-buing-hermitage
To Send through bank transfer:-
Account Name: Sudip Chakma
A/c No: 1463104000036962
Bank Name: IDBI BANK, LUNGLEI BRANCH.
IFSC: IBKL0001463
MICR: 796259102
SWIFT CODE: IBKLINBB136
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