Guru Viking Podcast

Ep326: Enlightened Politics - Leigh Brasington

Sep 26, 2025
Leigh Brasington, a Buddhist meditation teacher and author, delves into the intriguing intersection of Buddhism and politics. He reflects on how his upbringing and meditation practice shape his political views, emphasizing compassion and interconnectedness. Leigh discusses the historical diversity of Buddhist political stances and warns against clinging to fixed beliefs. He shares insights on how spiritual development relates to political engagement, arguing that compassion should guide our political actions while holding views lightly.
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INSIGHT

Complex Systems And Fragile Civilization

  • Leigh Brasington argues modern complexity and inequality make our system fragile and prone to collapse.
  • He highlights wealth concentration and global warming as key stressors undermining societal stability.
ANECDOTE

Mission Trip That Foreshadowed Migration

  • Leigh recounts a 1966 mission trip to Mexico predicting future migration pressures and walls at borders.
  • He uses this memory to illustrate long-term resource and population stresses on the planet.
ADVICE

Act Locally When Problems Are Global

  • Do what you can: educate others and reduce your personal carbon footprint through small concrete actions.
  • Use teaching and personal lifestyle choices to contribute, even if individually they seem like tiny drops.
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