The Way Out Is In

This engaging discussion tackles the whirlwind of modern busyness and the quest for mindfulness. It delves into the power of embracing boredom as a transformative tool for creativity. Listeners learn about the struggles of managing technology while seeking genuine connections. The hosts address workplace toxicity and the importance of personal agency in finding wellness. They also explore generational healing and how our past influences the present. Ultimately, it’s about finding stillness in a fast-paced world.

Welcome to episode 76 of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives. In this installment, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach/journalist Jo Confino put a modern twist on the Four Nutriments – one of the Sutras of the Buddha – using it as a framework to explore what it is to be a mindful consumer of life.  With each of the Four Nutriments – edible foods, sense impressions, volition or aspiration, and consciousness – the Buddha gave a little story which the presenters explore and bring into the reality of our times.The ensuing conversation touches many topics and ideas, like how and why to invest in our spiritual dimension; individual and collective consciousness; shifting consciousness, generating community and a fairer society; practicing moderation; cultivating compassion; habit energies; rebuilding our connection to food; changing the way stories are told; suffering as a bell of mindfulness; and more.   Brother Phap Huu shares deeply about experiencing burnout; speaking our minds; and adapting Buddhist teaching for each new generation. Jo complements this episode’s theme with personal stories and a new approach to what it is to be courageous.  Co-produced by the Plum Village App:https://plumvillage.app/   And Global Optimism:https://globaloptimism.com/ With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/ List of resources  Online course: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planethttps://plumvillage.org/zasp?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=twoii&utm_campaign=zasp Interbeinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interbeing   Sutrashttps://plumvillage.org/genre/sutrasSutras: ‘Discourse on the Four Kinds of Nutriments’https://plumvillage.org/library/sutras/discourse-on-the-four-kinds-of-nutriments  Bodhisattvahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva  Douglas Tompkinshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Tompkins The Order of Interbeinghttps://plumvillage.org/community/order-of-interbeing  John Bellhttps://www.parallax.org/authors/john-bell/  Who Cares Wins: How to Protect the Planet You Lovehttps://www.penguin.co.uk/books/305695/who-cares-wins-by-cole-lily/9780241309148  Quotes “Every being has a spiritual dimension and we need to invest in our spiritual dimension. And if young people can invest in it earlier, then the future has a greater hope and a more wonderful and sustainable livelihood that we can lead ourselves towards.” “Consuming is not just what we eat and drink but what we listen to, what we smell, what we taste, and so on.” “It’s not that wanting a state of peace means that we can suddenly have peace; we have to nurture the peace inside of us.”  “Mindfulness gives us the lens of awareness to go inwards and see what we are consuming on a daily basis. What is intentional and what are we consuming that we’re not even aware of?” “Our way of being is also food for elements that are outside of us.” “We’re creating a cacophony of thoughts, feelings, and actions that form an individual basis, then create a collective. Often, people don’t feel that their individual behavior has an impact on the collective; often, they think that the collective is the only thing influencing them.” “Trust the seeds that you plant, but don’t expect them to grow right away.”  “The Buddha says every action has an impact on the past, the present, and the future. So our actions today actually have an impact 1,000 years later.” “When we practice a vegetarian or a vegan diet, it is because we are aspiring to cultivate our compassion.”  “Vulnerability opens support.” “We know that habit energy is not ours alone: it’s society’s habit, it is our ancestors’ habit. So if we come from a family that has addictions, we know we have addictions in us.”  “Once we know where food comes from, our gratitude manifests; it is born. And when you have gratitude, food automatically tastes better.”  “The Buddha says that our world is lived by our shared consciousness.” “The work that we are doing in Plum Village is helping, wanting to shift consciousness, and showing that love is possible and that love is there and that peace is action.” “Sense impressions are also teachers. And this is why, for us, the Dharma is not just spoken Dharma, but the way we live, how we show up. That is a sense impression. That is a teaching in itself.”  “When it’s all about the money, we lose our ethical compass and we lose our connection; we lose our sense of responsibility and accountability. And if money is the object, then there’s going to be a lot of suffering.” “Why don’t we like good news? Because we’re so conditioned to suffering.” “The Buddha says that we have to reflect and shine our light onto our views, that we are striving towards. And if that view, goal, or aspiration is destroying our well-being, we have to have the courage to walk away.” “Courage is being prepared to not be like everybody else.” “What is our worldview? Are we limited? Are we expanding? I think coming to retreats like Plum Village, or traveling, is so helpful for expanding our consciousness that maybe our way of thinking about what is right is very limited. That’s why, when we learn about ethics, we have to be very open. And in Buddhism, one of the greatest foundations is openness, because what we think is right may be totally different in a different culture. So, consciousness: we have to allow it to expand, be flexible, transform, grow.”

Dive into a thought-provoking discussion on the balance of being and doing in our fast-paced world. The speakers explore mindfulness versus productivity, emphasizing the power of presence and interconnectedness. They challenge the idea that self-worth relies on constant activity, advocating for 'lazy days' to nurture inner peace. The podcast also highlights the transformative role of mindfulness in daily life and community dynamics, urging listeners to embrace authentic connections and emotional growth.

Kate Raworth, creator of Doughnut Economics, dives into innovative economic thinking that prioritizes human needs within planetary limits. She discusses the synergy between her concepts and Buddhist teachings on interconnectedness, emphasizing the importance of community in fostering sustainable practices. Raworth shares insights from her experiences at a Plum Village retreat, reflecting on the transformative power of identity and collective action. With anecdotes from her journey, she inspires listeners to embrace authentic communities and redefine economic success.

Brother Phap Huu, a Zen Buddhist monk, and Jo Confino, a leadership coach and journalist, dive deep into the nature of painful feelings. They discuss Buddhist practices for embracing and transforming suffering, emphasizing mindfulness as a path to personal growth. Personal narratives are explored, showcasing how our stories shape perceptions and foster forgiveness. The conversation highlights the vital connection between individual healing and communal well-being, alongside practical techniques for self-compassion. It concludes with a transformative guided meditation.

Brother Phap Huu, a Zen Buddhist monk, and Jo Confino, a leadership coach and journalist, dive deep into the nuances of finding a spiritual path. They discuss how community support and personal experiences shape one's spiritual journey. The conversation touches on the necessity of feeling at home in spiritual practices and the importance of embracing discomfort for true growth. They also emphasize bringing spirituality into daily life and the transformative power of meditation, ending with a guided session that fosters mindfulness and presence.

In this podcast, a panel discusses feeling safe, belonging, and finding home in the world. They explore healing the past, challenging worldviews, building resilience, and more. The conversation touches on community, localization, misinformation, and embracing diverse perspectives.

Panel discussion on mindfulness trainings, nonviolence in activism, and facing anger and burnout. Insights on engaged Buddhism, sanghas in activism, victim-perpetrator dynamic, and spiritual dimension of change. Emphasis on personal transformation, community support, systemic change, conflict resolution, and presence in a distracted society.

Jo Confino, leadership coach/journalist, discusses the art of land regeneration and happy farming with Mick McEvoy and Sister Trang Lam Hy. They touch on Zen philosophies, seasonal planting, mindfulness in farming, collective awakening, empathy for our food, and the importance of growing vegetables. The conversation highlights the intersection of Zen Buddhism with land regeneration and the nobility of the farmer, emphasizing care for the Earth and producing food in times of crisis.

Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach/journalist Jo Confino discuss Right Livelihood in Buddhism, finding joy and connection at work, balancing ego and compassion, and being present while planning for the future. The conversation includes insights on aligning work with values, healing emotional wounds, embracing joy in the journey of work, and practicing mindfulness in the workplace. The episode ends with a guided meditation by Brother Phap Huu.