Sebene Selassie is a teacher, author, and speaker who explores the themes of belonging and identity through meditation, creativity, and spirituality. Born in Ethiopia and raised in Washington DC, she began studying Buddhism 30 years ago as an undergraduate at McGill University where she majored in Comparative Religious Studies. She has an MA from the New School where she focused on race and cultural studies. For over 20 years, she worked with children, youth, and families nationally and internationally for small and large not-for-profits. Now she teaches classes, workshops, and retreats regularly and is one of the most popular teachers on the Ten Percent Happier app. Sebene is a three-time cancer survivor of Stage III and IV breast cancer. Her first book "You Belong: A Call for Connection" is published by HarperOne.

Website: sebeneselassie.com

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Summary and transcript of this interview.

Interview recorded February 14, 2021

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump

00:03:56 - Belonging and Not Belonging

00:07:43 - The Mystery of Existence and Belonging

00:11:31 - Vyavaharika Satya: The Transactional Reality

00:15:08 - The Delusion of Separation

00:18:51 - The Power of Being a "Weirdo"

00:22:47 - Mainstream Acceptance of Meditation and Contemplative Practices

00:26:44 - Rocks are People

00:30:47 - Epistemocide: The Legacy of Indigenous Spiritual Practices

00:34:39 - Spirituality and Trust in the Present Moment

00:38:36 - Developing Discernment and the Importance of Community

00:42:54 - Fragmentation within Communities

00:46:28 - The Rise of Interest in Meditation

00:49:57 - A New Era of Spiritual Awakening

00:54:03 - The Power of Nature and Mystical Possibilities

00:58:22 - Nature's response to our predicament

01:02:02 - Spirituality in Refugee Camps

01:05:51 - Cultivating Curiosity and Creativity

01:09:39 - Breaking Habits and Reconnecting

01:13:28 - Awakening through Meditation

01:17:14 - Longing for Connection

01:21:20 - Knowing and Loving Yourself

01:25:25 - The Elements Practice: Earth, Water, Fire, Air

01:28:41 - Akasha and Modern Physics

01:32:47 - Wisdom of Living a Long Life

01:36:09 - Healing from Trauma and Supporting Students with Social Emotional Problems

01:39:58 - Embracing Diversity and Learning from Other Cultures

01:43:38 - Broadening Our Understanding

01:47:34 - Moving towards unbounded love

01:51:18 - Connecting with Sebenesellassie.com

01:54:51 - Upcoming Conversations and Thank Yous