BodhiSpeak with Jerry Walsh

Don't Be A Victim of Your Own Success

Frankenstein - who is the real monster? Self-love as the basis of integration 

A Talk with the Venerable Lama Konchok Sonam, Tibetan Buddhist Spiritual Teacher & Exile

Venerable Lama Konchok Sonam is the Spiritual Director of the Drikung Meditation Center. Born in Lhasa, Tibet, Lama Sonam began his Buddhist training when young within the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. At the age of 18, Lama Sonam took full ordination and became a monk (Gelong). Lama Sonam then went on to complete a retreat on Ngondro (Common and Extraordinary Preliminaries) and the Five-Fold Path of Mahamudra under H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche and Gelong Yeshe. Lama Sonam received teachings and blessings from more than twenty-five great masters, including Nyedak Rinpoche, his beloved main teacher, and the Most Venerable Pachung Rinpoche, the renown scholar and retreat master at Drikung Thil monastery. Lama Sonam served as disciplinarian at Jang Chub Ling monastery, in Dehra Dun, India. This difficult position required an extremely vast knowledge of the Dharma, and inspirational deep inner qualities. Lama Sonam has also served as the personal attendant to H.H. Chungtsang Rinpoche, H.E. Drubwang Rinpoche, Tongkar Tulku, and H.E. Thritsab Rinpoche, and tutored American tulku Thadag Rinpoche (Jack Churchward).

 

On June 9, 2003, Lama Sonam arrived in Boston to be the Resident Lama at the Drikung Meditation Center. Lama Sonam has shown himself to be expert in both the theoretical and practical aspects of training the mind through meditation and Vajrayana methods for awakening our Buddha Nature. In the fall of 2005, Lama Sonam started the Jowo Rinpoche Statue Project to benefit the Boston area, the United States, and the world. Lama Sonam began to realize his vision of bringing the blessings of Buddhism, from Buddha Shakyamuni and countless other enlightened masters from the East- India, Nepal, and Tibet, to the United States by creating a pilgrimage site. Arriving in May of 2008, the centerpiece of the pilgrimage site is an eight foot tall gilded, jewel-encrusted bronze, the U.S. Jowo Rinpoche Statue. The magnificent U.S. Jowo Rinpoche statue is a replica and spiritual emanation of the most revered Jowo Rinpoche statue that was made at the time of the historical Buddha and brought to Lhasa, Tibet in 641 AD.

Hunger Strike for Humanity: August 6th through 9th

My friend Sam and I were discussing the humanitarian crisis in Israel and Palestine, which has been heartbreaking for so many of us and shortly after we spoke, we received word that August 6th-9th there is a "Hunger Strike for Humanity", co-organized by our friends and healing allies, Stephen and Marcina at Reconsider. August 6th and 9th specifically coincides with the 80th Anniversary of the atomic bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The intention and prayer of the fast is to meditate on what we can do in our personal lives to help humanity choose peace over violence and deeply ask, "what kind of world do we want to live in?". This fast is not focused on one specific situation but the myriad conflicts that are happening in the present day (Gaza, Sudan, Congo, Haiti, Ukraine/Russia, Myanmur and so on). Simultaneously, this hunger strike for humanity is stated to be in solidarity with Satyam Homeland’s Hunger Strike for Peace, an ongoing hunger strike being carried out by both Israeli and Paelstinians calling for peace, reconciliation between cultures, and the end of the policy of forced starvation and siege on the civilians in Gaza. 

 

This hunger strike isn't a one-sided political movement - it is just a humble, simple inner and outer action we want to take for humanity to recognize that love, compassion, forgiveness,  peace, and a fundamental respect for human rights for all people are the only methods capable of ending conflict both within and without. We are inviting the community to join us in this prayer to advocate for a more compassionate world so that as my teacher, Maestro Manuel, would say, may all people may have clean water, food, shelter, & be happy. 

 

If you feel inspired to join in some manner there is more info below here: 

 

https://multifaithpeace.org/event/vigil-for-humanity-on-80th-year-after-atomic-bombing/

How to Participate

This is a personal and collective invitation. You are welcome to join in whatever way resonates with you:

• Join the vigils and conversations via Zoom

• Fast in a way that aligns with your capacity—full, partial, from food, a habit or distraction

• Hold moments of daily silence, prayer, or reflection together

• Share stories, light candles, or simply witness

Together, we reflect with curiosity, become aware of our role in all of it, take responsibility for what we create, reimagine what’s possible, and manifest peace through conscious presence.

There is no need to RSVP. Just join us when you feel called.

A Cloud Never Dies

Zen Buddhist Teachings and Beyond inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh and others

Descriptions are empty but I am home, I have arrived

 

The Transformative Astrological Year of 2025 with Mateusz Bazgier

Our very own Mateo Bazgier joins me in-house for discussion on the coming changing times and astrological insights of the year 2025 - a profoundly unique and extra - ordinary year of change and paradigm shift galore

https://thecosmoswithinus.com/about-us/

In Mateo's own words:

"Originally I come from Poland. I was born into a family of astrologers, both my stepfather and my mother were full-time astrologers since I remember. I was saturated with this atmosphere since early childhood, but I started to study astrology when I was 20 years old.

In 2015, I moved from Poland to New York, where I have been exposed to various teachers, including Maestro Manuel Rufino, A.T. Mann, Kypacha, Anne Ortlee, Mark Waltz, who represent different lineages, schools, and approaches to astrology.

I’m a member of the Initiatic College and Golden Drum Community based in Brooklyn. For 10 years I have been studying sacred traditions of humanity under the guidance of Maestro Manuel Rufino and other Elders from different traditions and indigenous cultures. I’m also a multi-instrumentalist, sound engineer, and sound healer, which I combine with astrology with great success.

I really love teaching astrology to groups, but my favorite form of practice is private 1:1 consultation session. When we can have a real dialog about important life events, we can create a space to go deep into certain aspects of the chart and see how it is reflected in a client’s life. Together we can get to an understanding of how the natal chart works in a client’s relations, work, business, study, and growth process and how to realign with one’s unique planetary blueprint.

 

 

Songs of Healing and Prayer with Akwesane Songcarrier, Theresa Bear Fox

Support the Akwesane Freedom School and Theresa Bear Fox to empower Native Youth!

 

Click Here For More Information!

 

THERESA BEAR FOX

Shekon Sewakwekon, (Greetings everyone), My name is Theresa “Bear” Fox, my Mohawk name is Kenkiohkoktha, and I am of the Wolf Clan. My Mohawk name means I am at the back of a crowd of people or I am the end of a long line of people. I have five children. My oldest is a girl and I have four boys.

I was born into a big family. There are eight boys, six girls and I am the youngest. My Mother and Father were hard working. They made sure we were always provided for. They always made sure we had a table full of food and clean clothes to wear. We didn’t have a lot of money, but I didn’t feel that we had to go without anything. I always felt like we were rich, because I was so happy and I always felt loved. We always looked out for one another, and at times my sisters were like my Mothers too. I try and raise my children with the same family values. I taught them to take care of each other. I taught them to respect their elders and to take pride in who they are.  I encourage them to learn our language and culture so they can teach their young ones someday. My goal is to raise good mothers and fathers.

I  live in Akwesasne, and I love our community. I especially love how our people care for one another. If someone is going through hard times, the community comes together for a fundraiser and a lot of support. I always try to do my best to help out when I can. I am part of a woman’s singing group called “Kontiwennenhawi” which means Carriers of the Words. We get together once a week and we talk, laugh and learn songs. Our duties as a Singing Society are to help out in our community. We are often asked to sing for visitors or for the children in our community. We help out at fundraisers and donate money to people who are in need. We have a community fund account and we raise money by selling our CD’s or by singing outside of our community. Niawen kowa, (Big thanks)

Arriving Home with Jo Confino: Student of Thich Naht Hanh, Journalist, and Co-Founder of Acclaimed Podcast, "The Way Out Is In"

Jo Confino is a leadership coach, facilitator, journalist, sustainability expert
and Zen mindfulness practitioner. Jo has worked closely for the past 16 years with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and his buddhist monastic community in Plum Village.

He works at the intersection of personal transformation and systems
change; working with several organisations including Leaders’ Quest and
Future Stewards. His coaching practice focuses on supporting leaders
within the fields of climate, biodiversity and social justice. He works across
sectors, including NGOs, foundations and business and coaches
individuals as well as leadership teams within organisations, such as
Global Optimism and Force of Nature.

He is co-founder and co-presenter of the acclaimed podcast series ‘The
Way Out Is In’ and is the co-author of the book ‘Being With Busyness: Zen
Ways to Transform Overwhelm and Burnout.’

We sit down to discuss Zen Buddhism, Thich Naht Hanh and spiritual transmissions, global conflict, activism, community action, and the power of simplicity 

Read more about Jo here:

Besides facilitating events and conferences all over the world for the past
20 years, Jo also runs smaller workshops and roundtables.

As a journalist for more than 40 years, he was executive editor, Impact &
Innovation and Editorial Director of What’s Working at the HuffPost in New

York. During his five years there, he developed long-term editorial projects
based on social, environmental and economic justice and was a member of
the senior leadership team.

Before joining HuffPost, he was an executive editor of the Guardian and
chairman and editorial director of the Guardian Sustainable Business
website. During his 23 years at the Guardian, he set up and managed a
unique multi-stakeholder development project in the Ugandan village of
Katine, and helped create the Guardian’s environment and
global development websites.

Jo also created and managed the sustainability vision and strategy for the
Guardian and its parent company Guardian Media Group.

He is a fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts,
Manufactures and Commerce and completed an MSc in Responsibility and
Business Practice at the University of Bath.

We'll See..

A podcast good for nothing...

 

Zen ramblings and grappling with global atrocity

Psilocybin Rebirth with 9/11 Firefighter Joe Mckay

Joe's epic journey from being a survivor and rescue worker as a fire fighter on 9/11 at Ground Zero, losing 26 friends and co-workers, then dealing with PTSD, addiction, cluster headaches (often termed, "suicide headaches") and eventually finding a trifecta of healing in physical pain, psychological trauma, and emotional turmoil through therapeutic use of psilocybin mushrooms 

Joe is a retired FDNY firefighter who spends his time advocating for causes close to his heart, he also sits on the board of Clusterbusters, a non profit that supports research for better treatments and a cure for cluster headache, Joe has found Psychedelics are an effective treatment for his Cluster attacks as well as a treatment for PTSD and Addiction. Joe is a patient advocate for the Headache on the Hill event where he helps lobby Congress for increased recognition of, and more equitable policies toward Americans with disabling headache disorders. Joe also advocated along side fellow first responders and Jon Stewart in 2015 and 2019 to get 9/11 health and compensation bills passed, and again with Burn Pits 360 to help pass the PACT Act in 2022. He is also volunteer Board member for the Ray Pfeiffer foundation, helping 9/11 first responders with medical needs.

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy with Michael Mithoefer M.D. in connection with MAPS, Stan Grof, and more

Interview with Michael Mithoefer 

Michael Mithoefer, M.D., is a psychiatrist living in Asheville, NC, with a research office in Charleston, SC. In 2000, he began collaborating with MAPS on the first U.S. Phase 2 clinical trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. He and his wife Annie have since conducted two of the six MAPS-sponsored Phase 2 clinical trials testing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, as well a study providing MDMA-assisted sessions for therapists who have completed the MAPS-sponsored MDMA Therapy Training Program, and a pilot study treating couples with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy combined with Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy. He is now Senior Medical Director for Medical Affairs, Training and Supervision at MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC).

He is a Grof-certified Holotropic Breathwork Facilitator, is trained in EMDR and Internal Family Systems Therapy, and has nearly 30 years of experience treating trauma patients. Before going into psychiatry in 1991, he practiced emergency medicine for ten years, served as medical director of the Charleston County and Georgetown County Emergency Departments, and has held clinical faculty positions at the Medical University of South Carolina. He has been board-certified in Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, and Internal Medicine.