543. Cynthia Jurs

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Rick Archer

Cynthia Jurs is a Tibetan Buddhist lama and a Dharmacharya in the Order of Interbeing of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh whose source of refuge and spiritual inspiration is Mother Earth; Gaia. In 1990, she made a life-changing pilgrimage to meet the hermit and meditation master, Kushok Mangden Charok Rinpoche, a 106-year-old lama living in a remote cave in Nepal from whom she received the practice of the Earth Treasure Vases when she asked him, “What can we do to bring healing and protection to the Earth?”

For thirty years, Cynthia has been building a global community committed to planetary healing and collective awakening in partnership with elders and activists around the world. Cynthia teaches an innovative blend of engaged Buddhism and sacred activism through the Earth Treasure Vase Global Healing Project, the Open Way Sangha in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the international Gaia Mandala Community. Through her nonprofit, Alliance for the Earth, Cynthia has worked with former combatants and the women who stopped a war in Liberia, West Africa, to build peace, teaching mindfulness and co-founding the Peace Hut Alliance for Conflict Transformation. Cynthia’s book, Summoned by the Earth, is forthcoming.

Website: EarthTreasureVase.org – learn more and subscribe to the monthly Earth Treasure Vase Full Moon Newsletter which is the best way to stay in touch
New website – GaiaMandala.net – coming soon. Will be the home for our global healing community with many practices, calls, courses and more ways to get involved in our work of global healing and collective awakening.
Join the monthly Full Moon Earth Treasure Vase Global Healing Meditation here. This is a free call via Zoom. A recording is automatically sent out to registered participants.
Gaia Calling: Being a Holy Vessel for Global Healing & Collective Awakening — a 7-week course co-taught by Cynthia Jurs and David Nicol via Zoom April 20—June 10, 2020. Join our free introductory call on April 11th to learn more.
Tara Gaia Teachings; a Vajrayana-style deity practice inspired by Tara with a visualization of Gaia and a recitation of her mantra. Cynthia will be giving the transmission and teaching of this practice during two-weekend retreats via Zoom — July 25-26 and November 7-8, 2020. Having received the teachings, one can join a monthly practice group. Let us know you are interested here.
Monday Mindfulness Meditation, a weekly gathering via Zoom at 4 pm Pacific // 5 pm Mountain // 7 pm Eastern. As we shelter at home, we can meet this moment of collective crisis and opportunity with calm and clarity by cultivating a practice of calm abiding in mindfulness. In this weekly 1.5-hour practice group, we will sit, walk and sit again—entering into the quiet space within and stopping to catch our breath, to center ourselves, to let go of worry and fear and reconnect with our true source of Being. At the end of our practice, there will be an opportunity for mindful sharing around the circle. Click here if you are interested in participating.

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Interview recorded March 28, 2020

Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

540. Clare Dubois

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Rick Archer

Clare Dubois is the founder and CEO of TreeSisters.org, a global women’s movement spanning over 200 countries, that has collectively funded the planting of nearly 9 million trees. TreeSisters is a social change movement and a tropical reforestation organization working towards normalizing cultural reciprocity with nature. The aim of both Clare and TreeSisters is to make it as normal to give back to nature as it currently is to take nature for granted while supporting humanity in its transition from a consumer species to a restorer species. Before founding TreeSisters, Clare worked internationally for over two decades, coaching business leaders and facilitating group behavior change processes in multiple sectors. Known for her direct, catalytic energy, her inspirational speaking and her holistic approach to collective transformation, Clare is a walking invitation to anyone ready to step up and step in on behalf of the planet.

Short, informative videos:

“Waking Up” (mentioned by Clare in the interview)
How Music Can Plant Trees
Grow Your Own Forest
You Are Alive For A Reason
Clare’s interview with IONS – LA

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Interview recorded March 7, 2020

Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

536. Isira

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Rick Archer

Isira brings a deep understanding of Indigenous, ancient and universal wisdom. She bridges the gap between the overwhelming challenges we face in the world today and our spiritual journey.

As a powerful advocate for conscious change, Isira is highly engaged in today’s social issues. Her enlightened commentary assists us to navigate the divisive worlds of politics, climate change, mental health and beyond.

30 days’ free access to “The Awakening Place” for BatGap viewers, click here.

Books:

Website: isira.com

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Interview recorded February 7, 2020.

Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.