Episode #44: A Screeching Halt: The Military Coup Shoots Down Reforms

A candidate for parliament reflects on life after the coup.

Shwe Lan Ga LayApril 1, 2021Maw Htin Aung, Kachin, Myitkyina, Yangon, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Shan National League for Democracy, Maw Htun AungComment

Episode #43: Understanding the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

A guest at the center of the movement describes its role in the overall protests.

Shwe Lan Ga LayMarch 28, 2021CDM, Civil Disobedience Movement, Mogok, Ledi Sayadaw, Nobel Peace Prize Comments

Episode #42: Taking a Moral Stand

A Buddhist practitioner and teacher comes to the realization that “enough is enough.”

Shwe Lan Ga LayMarch 21, 2021Ashin Sarana, Donald Trump, Mandalay, Myanmar Coup, Czech Comments

Episode #40: Drawing a Line Between Hope and Fear

Exploring the role of trauma through art.

Shwe Lan Ga LayMarch 11, 2021Kyawt Thiri Nyunt, Myanmar Coup, metta, ah nar ba deh Comments

Episode 39: Navigating Rough Waters

How vipassana meditation in the tradition of S.N. Goenka informs engagement during times of strife and instability.

Shwe Lan Ga LayMarch 10, 2021Daniel Mayer, S.N. Goenka, Dhamma Giri, Igatpuri, Myanmar Coup, spiritual bypass Comment

Episode 38: Feeding Freedom, Not Fear

A Burmese culinary author speaks out on the coup.

Shwe Lan Ga LayMarch 4, 2021Mi Mi Aye, Mandalay: Recipes and Tales from a Burmese Kitchen, Burmese Beyond, MSG Pod, Aung San Suu Kyi, Freedom From Fear, MiMi AyeComment

Episode 37: Active Days, Restless Nights

An interview with a former monastery helper now in the front lines of the nonviolent protest movement.

Shwe Lan Ga LayMarch 1, 2021Chit Tun, Nay Pyi Daw, Generation Z, Myanmar Coup, Mya Thwe Thwe Khaing, Wai Yan Tun, Helgu, Hlegu, Michelle Obama Comments

Episode 36: The Power of Mettā in Action

Welcoming the wayward younger son back home.

Shwe Lan Ga LayFebruary 18, 2021Sayalay Chandadhika, mettā, Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, GandhiComment

Episode 35: Facing Darkness with Light

The importance of non-violence and unity even in the most challenging of times.

Shwe Lan Ga LayFebruary 16, 2021Inda Aung Soe, Bokashi Myanmar, Myanmar Coup, non-violenceComment

Episode 34: Finding Inner Stability in Troubling Times

Words of wisdom in dealing with challenging events.

Shwe Lan Ga LayFebruary 5, 2021Daw Viranani, Chan Myay Myaing, Myanmar Coup Comments

Episode #33: Expats in the Golden Land: Dhamma in the City

A story about Yangon past and present, and the Dhamma to be found on the city streets.

Shwe Lan Ga LayFebruary 1, 2021Christina Peterson, Jose Molina, S.N. Goenka, Sayadaw U Pandita, Shwe Oo Min, Dhamma Dhara, Daniel Ingram, Thanissaro Bhikkhu, Chan Myay Yeiktha, Thai Forest TraditionComment

Episode 32: The Mystery of U Lokanatha

A research project into the amazing life of one of the first Western monks to dive into the Burma Dhamma.

Shwe Lan Ga LayJanuary 22, 2021U Lokanatha, Shwe Lan Ga Lay, Antonio Costanzo, mettā, Aung San, Dalit, Untouchable, Webu Sayadaw, Sayagyi U Ba Khin, S.N. Goenka, Mussolini, Sri Lanka Comments

Episode 31: From the River Bank of Consciousness

Exploring a moment with no entanglement.

Shwe Lan Ga LayJanuary 16, 2021David Sudar, Shwe Oo Min, Sayadaw U Tejaniya, Mahasi Comments

Episode 30: Luissa Burton

The spiritual journey of an international model leads to the Golden Land.

Shwe Lan Ga LayJanuary 11, 2021Luissa Burton, Ballers, Wiz Khalifa, Miami Dolphins, Miss Earth United Kingdom, Miss Europe World, Official Green Queen, S.N. Goenka, Dhamma Joti, Melissa Coats, Dalai Lama, eczema, psoriasisComment

Episode 29: Racial Equity Training in the Vipassana organization of S.N. Goenka

A groundbreaking anti-racism training at Dhamma Kunja, a vipassana center in Washington State in the tradition of S.N. Goenka.

Shwe Lan Ga LayJanuary 5, 2021Clyde Ford, Victoria Robertson, S.N. Goenka, Dhamma Kunja, Dhamma Brothers Comments

Episode 28: Voices: Burmese Theravada in a Catholic Land, Part 2

The Johnny Appleseed of Filipino meditators reflects on lessons learned in Buddhist Burma.

Episode 27: Sebastien Le Normand

A French vipassana meditator in the tradition of S.N. Goenka takes a spiritual pilgrimage in Myanmar, and falls in love with the Golden Land.

Shwe Lan Ga LayDecember 18, 2020Sebastien Le Normand, S.N. Goenka, Sagaing Hills, Ordination, Zach Hessler, Melissa Coats, Ruth Denison, Dhamma Dena, Osho, Martial ArtsComment

Episode 26, COVID-19 Pandemic: Dealing With Disruption

Three retreat centers in America share their responses to the coronavirus pandemic.

Shwe Lan Ga LayDecember 7, 2020Sean Feit Oakes, Community Dharma Leader, Spirit Rock, Dhamma Patapa, S.N. Goenka, Woodacre, Ayya Soma, Empty Cloud, COVID-19, coronavirus, Jesup, West Orange, New Jersey, Georgia, CaliforniaComment

Episode #25, Voices: Burmese Theravada in a Catholic Land, Part 1

Two Filipino meditators share their experience of coming from a religious Catholic upbringing to practicing Buddhist meditation.

Shwe Lan Ga LayNovember 28, 2020Imee Contreras, Tony Fernando, Philippines, Spirit Rock, UCLA, S.N. Goenka, Philippine Insight Meditation Community, Mindfulness Asia, Chan Myay Myaing, metta, loving kindness, Duterte, Mount Eden Correctional FacilityComment

Episode 24, Media Corner: The Power of Ethical Spiritual Intelligence

A book 30 years in the making comes at a pivotal time in Burma’s history.

Shwe Lan Ga LayNovember 19, 2020Alan Clements, Burma: Voices of Freedom, Aung San Suu Kyi, U Kyi Maung, Fergus HarlowComment