Insight Myanmar

Episode #200: “I am an Indian and American, and I carry both in my blood,” says Jagdish Dalal, who goes by the name Jag. “I am one of those with a Western mind and Eastern soul. So whenever I think about Myanmar, or I think about other Asian countries, I have a personal feel for it.”With over five decades of leadership experience advising Fortune 100 companies, Jag is a sought-after speaker on information technology management and futurism. He emphasizes the importance of "impact sourcing" and the need for infrastructure to harness the incoming wealth from corporations in developing economies, creating a thriving middle class and reducing social inequality.Jag's economic perspective on Myanmar is thought-provoking. He connects economic stability to political environments, believing that Myanmar must foster growth, not suppression, to avoid falling behind. His approach focuses on the economic root of Myanmar's problems, anticipating that an unraveling economy will lead to oppressive regimes and regional instability. He advocates for incentives over sanctions, viewing sanctions as counterproductive.Jag closes by affirming that people the world over should be following—and concerned—about what is now happening in Myanmar. “The challenge is that that issue is in the back of the mind, so I think the more and more you do to bring it to the forefront, it's going to help,” he says. Jag references Insight Myanmar Podcast as an effective example of creating engagement through education. “I was concerned about [Myanmar] at one point in time, and I would have done something about it if I could,” he says. “[But this podcast] really put Myanmar ahead on my thinking platform. There are a lot of things out there that I'm thinking about, but now it is higher on my platform to be thinking about, and I really appreciate the opportunity.”

Episode #199: Following a period of rebellion and exploration through the tumultuous 1960s, Michael Stein embarked on a journey that ultimately led him to a profound spiritual connection with S.N. Goenka. Winding his way through Israel, Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan, he reached India just before the 1971 war with Pakistan. Michael had a deep sense of belonging the moment he crossed the border.At first, his main interests were dope smoking and travel, though the pull of spiritual practice was always in the background. Financial constraints forced him to return to the U.S. briefly to make some money before going back to India, where he sat his first vipassana course with S.N. Goenka in Dalhousie. India in the early 1970s offered a smorgasbord of great, spiritual teachers—Ram Dass, Neem Karoli Baba, Sai Baba, and Kalu Rinpoche, and Munindra among others. Michael became part of a close group of international seekers, including Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield, Daniel Goleman, and Sharon Salzburg, forming lifelong personal and Dhamma friendships. Michael spent time with several of them, but felt his personal path was the practice as taught by Goenka.As that group of friends and seekers drifted apart in the mid-1970s, most returned to their home countries, bringing those vipassana teachings with them. Western teachers like Joseph Goldstein, Robert Hover and John Coleman started teaching meditation across the world at that time as well, and a further pivotal moment came when Goenka expanded his teachings outside of India.Michael played a key role in disseminating vipassana practice in the US. He managed many of Joseph Goldstein’s early courses, as well as some courses taught by Robert Hover. He was instrumental in helping start the International Meditation Society (IMS) in Barre, Massachusetts, and then in helping Goenka establish his first U.S. center, Dhamma Dhara, in nearby in Shelburne Falls.For Michael, Goenka’s legacy can ultimately be summarized by what he accomplished. “He wanted people to be able to meditate, he wanted people to learn this technique, and you have to surrender your life towards doing these things,” he says in closing. “That's the gratitude I have, because I can't tell you how much it's helped me in my life. I was pretty messed up!  I've gone through quite a bit over the years, and whatever came my way, I was not perfect in it, but I had the Dhamma and I kept my sīla, and I got through everything.”

Episode #198: Wes Kingsley's remarkable journey takes us through his CIA assignments in various conflict-ridden regions, such as post-independence Congo, and Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. It also takes us to Burma, which holds a special place in Wes's heart amid all his other adventures, as that is where he met his future wife and developed an appreciation of Buddhism.Wes’s first CIA stint was in Eritrea, in Africa. During his time there, the Simba Rebellion in the Congo was heating up. A crisis developed in which American hostages were taken, and Wes was dispatched there to try and rescue them. Wes then went to Vietnam, experiencing the brutality of war and narrowly escaping attacks by the Vietcong, eventually leaving Saigon on one of the very last flights out of the besieged city.Choosing Rangoon as his next destination, Wes hoped for a quieter atmosphere while combating Burma's narcotics trade. He witnessed the violent 1974 crackdown on student protests over the burial of U Thant’s body, but found solace in the peaceful nature of the Burmese people.The uncommonly adventurous nature of his life even extended to his Burmese wife-to-be. Due to her inability to get a passport to leave the country, she escaped with gem smugglers to Thailand. Wes had to bribe Thai officials to marry them. Later, during his assignment in Jamaica, working for the State Department, he was “outed” as having worked for the CIA in Africa, resulting in he an assassination attempt on him and his family.From Paris to Liberia to Central America to Manila, Wes’ adventurous life continued. But amid all the countries he visited and dangerous challenges he faced, the peaceful nature of the Burmese people and Buddhism still shine brightly in his memory.

Episode #197: Meet Sai, a poet whose words echo the raw emotions and evolving landscape of Myanmar. Known by his Instagram handle, In the Land of Grief and Gold, his verses offer first-hand insight into the country's turmoil, inviting others to empathize with and support the people’s revolution in Myanmar.Sai's journey is intertwined with his desire to reconcile his faith and Buddhist practice with the harsh realities of the ongoing conflict. He finds solace in vipassana meditation, while also using poetry as a refuge amidst overwhelming emotions. As a member of the Burmese diaspora, Sai understands the challenges faced by his community and writes to uplift their spirits despite the despair they endure. He prays that the generational trauma that has afflicted his own, and countless other Burmese families, will not have to be borne by future generations.Sai believes that poetry is deeply ingrained in Burmese society, serving as a backbone for resilience and resistance.  And recognizing the power of words, he pays tribute to the fallen poets of Myanmar who have courageously spoken out against the oppressive regime.Disturbed by the regime's manipulation of Buddhist teachings to justify violence, Sai emphasizes the need for unity and inclusivity in the fight for change. He speaks out against military propaganda, and strives to raise awareness of the struggle in the international community. Aware of his privilege as someone living in freedom and safety, Sai feels compelled to fulfill his civic responsibility by amplifying the struggle and urging the world not to abandon the people of Myanmar.

Episode #196: “You have these new battlefields that the military seems unprepared for and certainly doesn't have the manpower or resources. And yet they're fighting! They've chosen to fight in these places.” In this episode, security analyst Zach Abuza unravels the intricate web of conflict that continues to unfold in Myanmar. The Burmese military finds itself ensnared in an unprecedented multi-front war. From Chin state to Magwe, and from Mandalay to the remote reaches of Shan and Kayah states, the military is stalemated. Abuza delves into the military's stark predicament – stretched thin, facing dwindling resources, and grappling with internal dissent—along with the nation's crumbling economy, and the evolving contours of the crisis.He also illuminates a compelling narrative of resistance forces, showcasing their battlefield innovation and unwavering determination. Meanwhile, in rural regions, Abuza stresses that the everyday bravery of fighting against the military’s tyranny continues. “Despite the threat of arrest, of terrible treatment upon arrest, whether sexual violence or rape, being tortured to death, people are protesting military rule. Every day, there are flash mobs in villages around the country protesting military rule! The courage of the people of Myanmar to do this for 30 plus months, it is astounding.”However, Abuza concludes that the military's ability to fund its reign of terror has not been affected even by its battlefield failures. The junta exploits the nation's natural resources and foreign investments. But the country teeters on the precipice of an economic abyss, facing rising inflation, a contracting economy, widespread poverty and food insecurity. The military's mismanagement of the nation's financial institutions further exacerbates the economic chaos.Yet in spite of the drastic economic situation and the junta’s lack of military success, the generals keep their grip on power, and while resistance forces can now keep the military at bay, they do not presently have the capacity to push for victory. So the question continues to linger: How long can the military keep this seemingly unending conflict going?

Episode #195: “I just always felt most comfortable in retreat settings, and in monastic settings to some degree… and in strip clubs.” This is Natalie Claire’s story, and though she no longer is employed as a stripper or sex worker, her perspective on her story and her decisions is very thought-provoking.Natalie traces her story back to a very messy parental divorce. To help her cope, she took up yoga and then vipassana, but also experimented with all kinds of drugs. In fact, even as she began sitting long vipassana retreats, her drug and alcohol addiction spiraled out of control. Finally, with professional help, she was able to get it under control, and has not used substances for over a decade now.But she continued her job as a sex worker and stripper, and was comfortable with her decision. She sought out advice from therapists and Dharma teachers about how she could stay in that profession while still being true to her inner values of living with integrity and not taking any action that would cause harm to others. She was intent on applying the Buddha’s teachings of mindfulness in all postures and in all situations to the strip club.So even while stripping, Natalie tried to maintain her observation of her body and mental volitions. Outside of work, Natalie spent her free time on retreats, studying the Pāḷi scriptures or at the local Mahasi monastery in Las Vegas which she visited often. She took a trip to Thailand in 2007, and then Burma in 2019, where she spent time living in nunneries in the Sagaing Hills. She remembers Sagaing as “a Disneyland of monasteries.” She was deeply inspired by the generosity and friendship of the community of nuns she came in contact with.The coup and its aftermath have been devastating for Natalie, especially hearing stories of violence inflicted on the very nuns she spent time with. Still, she comes back to the deeper lessons that remain with her from that trip in the Golden Land, which she is still deeply grateful for today. “What really sits with me is this expression of that life and of that culture of Dharma, of monastic life, just the most loving, tender, gentle, nurturing… that's what's really emerging for right now."

Episode #194: In the midst of Myanmar's turbulent times, Manny Maung, a dedicated advocate from Human Rights Watch, sheds light on a dire situation. Behind closed doors, a shadowy military court system relentlessly tries civilians without proper legal representation. This injustice has escalated to an unprecedented level since the coup, eroding the foundations of democracy and rule of law.The Myanmar justice system, rooted in colonial-era penal codes, has never embraced fair trials. Now, it operates entirely at the whims of military leader Min Aung Hlaing, undermining the very essence of legality. Lawyers valiantly defending their clients often face harassment, and are not immune to threats of detention and even torture, adding immense stress to their lives. Merely attempting to defend a client who the state has accused may land them in contempt of court.The judiciary, once on a path to independence, has regressed under the military's grip. Arbitrary arrests, the state of emergency's dubious renewals, and sham elections are orchestrated to consolidate the regime's power, while neighboring countries lend support.Recent sanctions, though effective to some degree, are not substantial enough, allowing the military to find a way around them. Maung calls for more stringent measures, including a Global Arms Embargo and action against Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise.Amid these harrowing circumstances, the Rohingya suffer more than anyone. They remain stateless, trapped in apartheid-like conditions, with no justice for the atrocities committed against them.A multifaceted approach is needed to limit the military's capacity to oppress. Maung asserts that international support can be directed to reignite Myanmar's democracy movement, offering hope for a brighter, post-junta future.Though darkness looms, hope remains the beacon guiding Maung and others fighting for Myanmar's freedom. “Myanmar will have a lot of problems, you have a generation now that is very used to extreme violence, let alone the trauma and the types of violence that they've been exposed to. But there's also some hope in starting from the beginning, perhaps if we can actually move towards somewhere that doesn't have the military as part of that underlying fabric of society, then I think we can get to a better place.”

The podcast explores the drug trade in Myanmar and its impact on the nation's destiny, including its historical origins, widespread corruption, and exploitation. It delves into the shift from heroin to methamphetamine production, the dominance of Chinese crime cartels, and the lack of Western attention. The chapters cover various topics such as the complexity of Myanmar, drug addiction and vigilante justice, Myanmar's transition to semi-democracy, the role of Generation Z in the resistance movement, the impact on neighboring countries, the military's funding for oppression, and calls for support of humanitarian initiatives.

Episode #192: “Where are the fighters of Europe who came out against fascist Hitler, or communist Stalin? All disappeared?” This is one of many blunt questions posed by Kasit Piromya, a distinguished Thai diplomat with 37 years of experience. He delivers a powerful critique, calling out the paltry global response to Myanmar's democracy movement. Piromya passionately criticizes the feeble commitment of politicians worldwide to involvement in this crisis, and urges them to align their actions with their ideals. He expresses particular disappointment in Western democracies for hesitating to confront tyranny in Myanmar, emphasizing the need for bold and tangible actions rather than excuses.Piromya also highlights the cozy relations between the Thai government and Myanmar's military, which hinder effective intervention. The role of ASEAN comes under particular scrutiny, with Piromya advocating for a permanent envoy to represent collective decisions and greater coordination with the NUG for humanitarian efforts.Emphasizing the importance of taking a strong stand against the Myanmar junta and warning against ASEAN's failure to act, Piromay argues that ASEAN’s response has set a dangerous precedent for permitting autocracy to take root in the region. He calls for a united front in promoting democracy and human rights, potentially reducing external influences from China, India, and Russia, which have continued to prop up the regime.Piromya acknowledges the challenges faced by democratic activists and NUG ministers in Myanmar and he appeals to ASEAN members, especially Thailand, to provide travel documents for their safe passage so that their voices can be heard by regional stakeholders.Lastly, Piromya offers constructive criticism of the NUG, urging them to select leaders willing to take risks for their country, move beyond Aung San Suu Kyi, and firmly reject past Burmanization policies.“They have to take the risk of their life because that is a noble thing called service to the country,” he says of those current NUG leaders. “So their life is secondary, because this is a very crucial time for them to take the mantle of leadership and take the risks, even to their physical well-being to their life.”

The host and founder of Insight Myanmar was interviewed by the podcast, "Rocklaz Radio with Tanmay Shah." Trish, the founder of Bamama Cooks, joins the conversation as well.