Essential Conversations: A new series with Contemplative Teachers and Thinkers

Jun 17

A new series of contemplative conversations

A new YouTube channel called ‘Essential Conversations’ will engage contemplative speakers on current events and the great changes taking place.

This project emerged out of GPIW’s program The Contemplative Alliance that began at the Aspen Institute in 2008 when GPIW held a major gathering of 250 spiritual teachers and faith leaders from across the US. Operating under the auspices of GPIW, the Contemplative Alliance is a USA based network of faith/spiritual leaders and practitioners who are interested in exploring how our individual contemplative practice can impact and shape our outer world. As a ‘reflective circle’, this network held almost 20 gatherings and conversations in the US and Europe over the past 15 years.

This new series of interviews will bring some of these individuals together in one-on-one video conversations to be shared on YouTube at @EssentialConversations. Our first conversation was held a few weeks ago with Dena Merriam and Lama Palden Drolma.

The Contemplative Alliance gatherings have focused on a number of themes: Exploring how to come again into an intimate relationship with Gaia and her communities of life; healing the racial, economic and social divides; re-envisioning prosperity – seeing inner resources as well as nature’s bounty as the true measure of wealth; re-defining our relationship with food – reclaiming agriculture through local cooperatives; using technological innovation to bring social good to scale; understanding the inner dimensions of climate change and its outer manifestations; and awakening compassion by tapping the wisdom of the heart.

“We felt it was important to look at the deeper causes, the karmic causes of the events that are unfolding in the US and around the world. Mostly we talk of the superficial causes of the changes taking place, but if we don’t look at the deeper causes we won’t understand how we got here, and we won’t know how to move forward.”

- Dena Merriam

View the first episode above.

“From a Buddhist point of view, it is important to understand that we are interconnected with all beings and that wanting the good for ourselves, or just a few loved ones, or our tribe, or the people we identify with is not enough. We have to want and work for the greater good of all sentient beings. That is the way that produces the greatest benefit and that is the way that produces a harmonious unfolding of events for all of us.”

- Lama Palden Drolma

Swamini Pramananda meditating in the Japanese garden at Shinnyo-en's retreat house, Ryukyo-In, Kyoto. 2019

Health Treatment and Recovery of Tiokasin Ghosthorse

A rainbow encircling the sun appeared at Machu Picchu during a small ceremony led by Tiokasin to pay respects to the local spirits at this sacred site in Peru. This gathering that included indigenous leaders from Peru, the US, and Africa was hosted by Shinnyo-en in 2014.

Raising Funds for Tiokasin

Those of you who have joined GPIW's gatherings over the past many years will know our dear friend and mentor, Tiokasin Ghosthorse. This past year he has suffered a very serious health challenge and we wanted you to be aware, especially those of you whose lives he has touched and impacted. We share below an online campaign that was started to help raise funds for his treatment. Thank you for offering any assistance you can at this time.

"Our beloved elder, Tiokasin Ghosthorse, member of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation of South Dakota, has been facing severe medical challenges over the last 6 months and urgently needs our financial support. For those of you who know Tiokasin, he will need no introduction and I will share his current situation below. For those of you who are not as familiar with this incredible elder and his unending service to the earth and to humanity, please take a moment to read his bio so you might understand why our collective effort is needed and warranted at this time.

Please click the link to read more and to offer your support. Every amount is helpful. Please share this further.

GoFundMe for Tiokasin