Regeneration and Musical Inspiration: The North American Tour (Episode #53)

Welcome to episode 53 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 episode, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach and journalist Jo Confino talk about what they learned and experienced on the recent Plum Village North American Tour, which consisted of retreats (including one for climate leaders and activists) and Plum Village’s first international music tour. 

The two presenters reflect on how the Buddhist teachings and lessons offered by this series of public events can help people create a healthier culture of service, and deal with both personal suffering and the collective suffering of climate destruction, biodiversity loss, and social injustice. Also, what is fierce compassion and how can we practice with it?

Brother Phap Huu further shares on “opening new Dharma doors”, the adaptation of old teachings to new cultures; the importance of music in engaged Buddhism and why incorporating the flavors of contemporary music matters; Thay as peace activist and poet; the message of the song ‘Little Star’ (which you get to listen to!); dealing with the energy of anger; deep connection; and more. And what did Thay say when Brother Phap Huu rapped at a Plum Village festivity?

Jo also shares about innovation in the Plum Village tradition; resilience and guilt in the climate movement; novel teachings and itineraries for retreats; the deep spiritual dimension of  climate work; radical compassion; forgiveness and transforming the system; nondiscrimination around suffering; and more. 

Thank you for listening. Enjoy!

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 resourcesHollyhockhttps://hollyhock.ca/ 

‘Unborn and Indestructible (song)’https://plumvillage.org/library/songs/unborn-indestructible/ 

‘Plum Village Announces North American Fundraising Concert Tour with Hip-Hop Artist Born I’https://www.lionsroar.com/plum-village-announces-north-american-fundraising-concert-tour/ 

Sister Chan Khonghttps://plumvillage.org/about/sister-chan-khong/ 

Brother Phap Linh (Brother Spirit)https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/brother-phap-linh/ 

Sister Trai Nghiemhttps://www.parallax.org/authors/sister-trai-nghiem-2/Christiana Figuereshttp://christianafigueres.com/#/ 

Sister True Dedication https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/sister-hien-nghiem/ 

Sister Lang Nghiemhttps://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/sr-lang-nghiem 

Tupachttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupac_Shakur 

Lupe Fiascohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupe_Fiasco 

Djembe drumshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DjembeThe Way Out Is In: ‘Engaged Buddhism: Applying the Teachings in Our Present Moment (Episode #9)’https://plumvillage.org/podcast/engaged-buddhism-applying-the-teachings-in-our-present-moment 

Namo’valokiteshvaraya Chanthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZkjX_c4hm4

‘Little Star’ (song video with lyrics)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3uu_Ru5U1c

Quotes

“The work of a monastic is service and our service is sowing seeds of awakening, or sowing seeds of mindfulness in today’s language.”

“One of my experiences of Plum Village is that there’s a willingness to always innovate. While the core teachings remain present and are at the heart of everything, Thich Nhat Hanh talks about opening new Dharma doors. So there are always new ways, depending on cultural or technological changes, of reaching new audiences with the teachings.” 

“Thich Nhat Hanh was an environmental leader and activist for more than 50