In this podcast, Buddhist chaplain, Zen practitioner and artist, John Danvers, explores the wisdom and meditation methods of Zen, Buddhism and other sceptical p...
Send us a textIn this episode, somewhat longer than usual, I explore some of the relationships between mindful meditation and creativity – what we might call ‘creative awareness.’ I begin by examining what we mean by creativity and go on to suggest that there is a close affinity between paying attention and the development of a creative engagement with the world. I argue that letting-go and unlearning, and the making of connections, are important aspects of both mindful meditation and creativity. Taking up Jane Hirshfield’s thoughts about the role of concentration in the composing of poetry, I suggest that mindful meditation involves the development of concentration and that this can be helpful in developing a creative practice. I go on to make reference to John Cage’s ideas about living the creative life and briefly discuss drawing as a mindful discipline. I end with a salutary note about creativity and ethics. Towards the end of the episode, I employ an exploratory, open, poetic form of words - in harmony, I hope, with the overall theme. Please see the transcript for spelling of names and for references.
-------- Â
38:11
Episode 32 - Mindful Solidarity - an interview with Mike Slott
Send us a textIn this special episode I interview, Mike Slott, about his new book titled, Mindful Solidarity: A Secular Buddhist Democratic Socialist Dialogue. Mike is the founder of the Secular Buddhist Network – an organisation that has done a lot of work advocating for a secular approach to Buddhist ideas and practices, and in helping to link together secular Buddhist individuals and groups from around the world. In his book Mike argues for a dialogue between secular Buddhists and democratic socialists – two communities often seen as far apart – showing how, working together, both groups offer a critique of contemporary economics and politics, and show ways to develop and maximise human flourishing. The book is jargon-free, thought-provoking and helpful to anyone trying to navigate a way through the complex and challenging conditions of contemporary life. In the transcript notes, rather than a full transcript, I have included a brief note about secular Buddhism and notes about, and links to, books, organisations and terms referred to by Mike.I hope you will enjoy this episode and find it to be useful.
-------- Â
42:04
Episode 31 - Daoism (Taoism)
Send us a textIn this extended episode I explore some of the main ideas and beliefs of Daoism (also known as Taoism) - highlighting aspects of Daoist philosophy that have a particular connection to the development of Zen. I also describe the way in which Daoism is complemented by Confucian ideas in the history of Chinese culture. It seems to me that there are many things we can learn from the ways in which Daoists think about change, uncertainty, the natural world and finding harmony within apparently opposing viewpoints and forces. Forgive my pronunciation of Chinese terms – I am not a Chinese speaker. To avoid confusion please refer to the transcript of this episode.
-------- Â
35:10
Episode 30 - John Dewey
Send us a textIn this extended episode I share some thoughts on a strand of philosophy known as ‘pragmatism’ as realized in the work of one of its key exponents, John Dewey – who was born in 1859 and died in 1952 at the ripe old age of ninety-three. Here and there I will point out parallels between Dewey’s ideas and the ideas and practices of other Buddhist and non-Buddhist thinkers I have mentioned in earlier talks. Over Dewey’s long life he had a profound influence on American philosophy and on the development of psychology, politics and education within the United States and eventually in many democratic states around the world.
-------- Â
34:34
Episode 29 - Climate action & eco-grief
Send us a textIn this episode I share some more thoughts on global warming, climate action and eco-grief. This is a revised and extended version of Episode 3. I argue that we need to face up to the global challenge we face, however difficult this may be, and to do what we can, individually and collectively, to address issues raised by climate change and its causes. I also suggest some actions we can take to combat, or at least lessen, the increase in global warming and to transform potential despair into a more hopeful outlook.Â
In this podcast, Buddhist chaplain, Zen practitioner and artist, John Danvers, explores the wisdom and meditation methods of Zen, Buddhism and other sceptical philosophers, writers and poets - seeking ways of dealing with the many problems and questions that arise in our daily lives. The talks are often short, and include poems, stories and music. John has practiced Zen meditation (zazen) for almost sixty years.
New Zealand