Our Journey Continues: Hope Floats in the Golden Land
To everyone who has journeyed with us to where we are today, your unwavering support and dedication have been the foundation of our mission. Over the years, our story has been one of exploration, transformation, and resilience, rooted in the deep spiritual and cultural heritage of Myanmar.
More than a decade ago, I began as the humble “Burma Dhamma Blog,” a platform born from curiosity about Myanmar’s rich traditions of meditation and monastic life. This coincided with the country’s transition toward democracy during the 2010s, a time when the easing of military rule allowed both locals and international visitors to explore Myanmar’s profound spiritual landscape. These early efforts captured the unique essence of the country’s monasteries and meditation centers, sparking a growing community of like-minded individuals.
As this community expanded, so did our offerings. I delved into documentaries, pilgrimage guides, and in-depth explorations of Buddhism’s central role in Burmese society. This evolution culminated in the creation of Shwe Lan Ga Lay, an in-depth, multi-volume guidebook designed to help meditators navigate Myanmar’s intricate spiritual and meditative traditions, which took over 5 years to research and write, and was completed with the support of a good-hearted volunteer team.
In 2019, I launched the Insight Myanmar Podcast, aiming to explore deeper, lesser-known aspects of Myanmar’s spirituality and culture. But the events of the 2021 military coup reshaped our focus. As the nation plunged into crisis, we broadened our scope, documenting the human rights abuses, societal upheavals, and resilience of the people. Our podcast became a platform to amplify untold stories, and now reaches a global audience of over 140,000 listeners. Even as we covered the nation’s turmoil, we remained grounded in our roots of mindfulness and meditation.
Amid this upheaval, we established Better Burma in 2021, a nonprofit initiative to provide critical humanitarian aid to people across Myanmar, regardless of ethnicity or religion. In response to the atrocities unleashed by the military regime, we’ve distributed essential resources such as food, clean water, medical supplies, and shelter to those most affected. Better Burma has become a lifeline for many, offering relief and solidarity during an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
Today, as Myanmar continues its fight for survival and freedom, we remain steadfast in our mission to make a meaningful impact— which has only been made possible by the incredibly generous support by donors who believe in our mission and stand by the Burmese people in solidarity. The challenges are daunting, but through collective effort, we strive to be a beacon of hope and resilience in these dark times.
We invite you to join us in this mission. If our work resonates with you, your support can make a real difference. Whether through a one-time donation or a recurring contribution via Patreon or PayPal, your generosity helps us deliver life-saving aid and amplify the voices of those who need to be heard.
Together, we can bring compassion, solidarity, and hope to Myanmar. Every contribution, no matter the size, has the power to ease suffering and uplift those facing unimaginable hardship.
Thank you for walking this path with us. We look forward to the day when Myanmar’s story transforms into one of peace, democracy, and human rights for all who call this Golden Land home.