IIn this episode of Light Forest we explore the nation of Myanmar through Burmese Buddhism and learn about how Buddhist values are bringing light into the resistance movement against the Junta.

Taking us on this journey we have Joah McGee:

a trainer, podcaster, and humanitarian advocate with a deep connection to Myanmar as a longtime practitioner and researcher of Burmese Buddhism.

You may recognise his voice as host of the Insight Myanmar podcast where he shines a light on the intersections of Buddhism with social change and activism. He is founder of Better Burma, a humanitarian organisation providing aid and support to the people of Myanmar since the armed and open conflict between resistance groups and the Junta.

Joah shares deep insights into the historical and contemporary role of Buddhism in Burmese society, its relationship with governance, and how the people of Myanmar are navigating political turmoil, exile, and re-imagining their future.
We get into some of the deep contradictions that run through Buddhism in Burma & policy making: How a country that sought to center around Vipassana and meditation became one of the most violent places?
We learn the ways Buddhist practices such as Vipassanā and mettā, and other principles are helping leaders in resistance groups, forming a “non-violent” movement as a path to peace and reconciliation.
Joah has spoken to hundreds of people through his podcast, including influential monks, activists, and more, and we get to hear some stories that he's picked up from his guests.

You may have heard that an earthquake has ripped through Myanmar on March 27. Joah’s organization Better Burma is coordinating crucial relief efforts to those affected. I encourage you to support his campaign if you have the means and share with your networks.

Donate here

Topics Covered:

• The Historical Role of Buddhism in Myanmar (00:6:21)

• Joah's path into Myanmar and Buddhism (00:11:35)

• How present day Burmese Buddhism deviated from its path (15:10)

• Voices of Exile & Non-Violent Resistance: The role of Buddhist philosophy in sustaining hope and resilience. (00:20:15)

• Reimagining the Future of Myanmar with Buddhist principles (00:31:00)

• Joah's personal practises to keep balance and bring compassion into his work (00:43:12)

  
  

  Connect & Support:

  • Joah’s Podcast: https://insightmyanmar.org/podcasts

• • Joah’s Organization: https://www.betterburma.org/
  • episode with Ashin Kovida https://insightmyanmar.org/complete-shows/2023/10/26/episode-204-ashin-kovida

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  Follow Light Forest

  • Twitter: Light Forest & @devlewis18

  • Instagram: @lightforestworld & @daiyisi

  🎶 The music for this episode was produced by me using Bandlab and original recordings

We live in polarised times. Institutions are breaking and paradigms are being challenged. Life can feel like one big ‘Manthan’ (churn). How do we find our balance and come through this churn of ideas and values?

In this episode, we journey with Rajni Bakshi, a Mumbai-based author, journalist, and activist who has spent three decades chronicling the struggles for more humane and ecologically sound ways of life.
She is the author of:
• Bazaars, Conversations and Freedom
• Trusteeship: Business and Economics for Well-Being
• The Dispute Over Swami Vivekananda's Legacy
Rajni shares insight from Gandhi’s values and concept of Trusteeship, and Vivekananda’s vision, to offer pathways to see the higher nature in ourselves and others as well as evolve our planetary systems away from violence & dominion.
A middle path that transcends the trap of polarized discourse. A process that is fundamentally rooted in each one of us finding that feeling of inner contentment and joy.
Rajni is also the founder and curator of Ahimsa Conversations, a platform for reflections on the possibility of nonviolence and the nature of violence.

In this conversation we talk about

• Gandhi’s vision of Trusteeship (6:45)

• Gandhi’s view on the human condition (14:40)

• Wealth as a commons (25:10)

• Swami Vivekananda & India's Lost Confidence(41:30)

• Reimagining Nonviolence & Power – Can we shift our understanding of power beyond domination? (50:40)

• Activism without anger (61:31)

📚 References & Mentions in the Conversation Books & Thinkers:
• David Korten – When Corporations Rule the World
• Carl Polanyi – The Great Transformation
• Frederick Hayek – The Road to Serfdom
• Tim Berners-Lee – The original vision of the World Wide Web
• Eric S. Raymond – The Cathedral and the Bazaar
🔗 Connect with Rajni Bakshi:
• Ahimsa Conversations: YouTube Channel
• Books: Trusteeship: Business and Economics for Well-Being
🎧 Connect with Light Forest:
• Twitter: Light Forest & @devlewis18 • Instagram: @lightforestworld & @daiyisi 🎶
The music for this episode was produced by me using Bandlab and original recordings with my handpan

The declining health of our planet is a decline in your own health. I cannot be healthy unless you are healthy. This is Planetary health.

Dr. Geordan Shannon is a medical doctor, founder, and global health specialist.

She brings a critical approach to understanding and acting on global challenges including social inequity, globalization, health systems, and environmental crises.

Her current work sits at the intersection of Web3, planetary health, and public goods for health.

She is the co-founder and director at United Health Futures, co-founder of Unexia & Planet.health.

Geordan is a rare human being with feet grounded in the soil, working in remote rural areas of Indigenous Australia, post-Tsunami Sri Lanka, the Peruvian Amazon, and rural Kenya. She also walks the hallways of UN partners, national governments, and other key international bodies.

Her expertise and lived experience are so diverse and deep at the same time—this might be one of our more concept-rich conversations yet.
In this conversation we explore:

• Planetary Health as a concept: How health is not just about individuals but about relationships—with communities, ecosystems, and the planet itself. (00:07:55)
• Geordan's journey into Planetary Health (14:00)
• Translocalism: A New Model for Global Action: Why decentralized, place-based action is more effective than top-down global solutions. (00:20:47)
• The Role of Care & Care Chains in Planetary Health: How care extends beyond human labor to include our relationships with each other, our bodies, and the environment. (00:31:30)
• Two Loops Model of System Change: How old systems collapse while new systems emerge—and the different roles we play in this transition. (00:47:23)
• Web3 & Decentralized Technologies for Health & Regeneration: How Web3 offers new governance and funding models for planetary health. (00:56:00)
• The Hunger for Change: Why institutions are ripe for transformation and how grassroots movements are leading the way. (01:044:20)

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  Projects Referenced

  • United Health Futures – A policy consulting and research organization focused on global health and equity.
  • Unexia – A Web3 financing platform exploring decentralized funding for health and public goods.
  • Planet Health Network – A global translocal network bringing together planetary health practitioners and Indigenous knowledge holders.
  • Stemmer – A project Geordan co-founded that creates decision-support tools for health systems.
  • Global Health Disrupted – A previous initiative using arts and creativity to inspire new health narratives.
  • Network Nations – A movement exploring decentralized governance models, aligned with translocalism and bioregionalism.
  • Casa Río – A watershed-based social and arts organization in South America focused on river conservation.
  • OASS (Eco-Village Network) – Exploring how to integrate Web3 tools with eco-village models.

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• • Connect with Geordan Shannon

  • Website: https://www.geordanshannon.com/
  • Medium:

  Connect with Light Forest:

  • Website: www.lightforest.world
  • Twitter: Light Forest & @devlewis18
  • Instagram: @lightforestworld & @daiyisi

  🎶 The music for this episode was produced by me using Bandlab and original recording titled 'Equanimity with my handpan.