Belonging, Non-Separation, and Community
Summary: This conversation explores belonging, non-separation, and the mystery of life through meditation, nature, and spiritual practice. It also looks at discernment, community, and the need to integrate ancient wisdom with modern life.
Questions This Interview Explores
- How can a sense of belonging deepen spiritual practice without denying our differences?
- What does it mean to see through the delusion of separation in everyday life and relationships?
- How can discernment, community, and curiosity help us navigate polarization, conspiracy thinking, and spiritual confusion?
- What can ancient wisdom, indigenous perspectives, and the idea that everything is alive teach modern mindfulness?
- How do self-love, compassion, and embodied practices support healing and unbounded love?
Sebene Selassie is a teacher, author, and speaker who explores the themes of belonging and identity through meditation, creativity, and spirituality. Born in Ethiopia and raised in Washington DC, she began studying Buddhism 30 years ago as an undergraduate at McGill University where she majored in Comparative Religious Studies. She has an MA from the New School where she focused on race and cultural studies. For over 20 years, she worked with children, youth, and families nationally and internationally for small and large not-for-profits. Now she teaches classes, workshops, and retreats regularly and is one of the most popular teachers on the Ten Percent Happier app. Sebene is a three-time cancer survivor of Stage III and IV breast cancer. Her first book “You Belong: A Call for Connection
Website: sebeneselassie.com
Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.
Transcript, summary, and key takeaways from this interview
Interview recorded February 14, 2021
YouTube Video Chapters:
- 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
- 00:03:56 – Belonging and Not Belonging
- 00:07:43 – The Mystery of Existence and Belonging
- 00:11:31 – Vyavaharika Satya: The Transactional Reality
- 00:15:08 – The Delusion of Separation
- 00:18:51 – The Power of Being a “Weirdo”
- 00:22:47 – Mainstream Acceptance of Meditation and Contemplative Practices
- 00:26:44 – Rocks are People
- 00:30:47 – Epistemocide: The Legacy of Indigenous Spiritual Practices
- 00:34:39 – Spirituality and Trust in the Present Moment
- 00:38:36 – Developing Discernment and the Importance of Community
- 00:42:54 – Fragmentation within Communities
- 00:46:28 – The Rise of Interest in Meditation
- 00:49:57 – A New Era of Spiritual Awakening
- 00:54:03 – The Power of Nature and Mystical Possibilities
- 00:58:22 – Nature’s response to our predicament
- 01:02:02 – Spirituality in Refugee Camps
- 01:05:51 – Cultivating Curiosity and Creativity
- 01:09:39 – Breaking Habits and Reconnecting
- 01:13:28 – Awakening through Meditation
- 01:17:14 – Longing for Connection
- 01:21:20 – Knowing and Loving Yourself
- 01:25:25 – The Elements Practice: Earth, Water, Fire, Air
- 01:28:41 – Akasha and Modern Physics
- 01:32:47 – Wisdom of Living a Long Life
- 01:36:09 – Healing from Trauma and Supporting Students with Social Emotional Problems
- 01:39:58 – Embracing Diversity and Learning from Other Cultures
- 01:43:38 – Broadening Our Understanding
- 01:47:34 – Moving towards unbounded love
- 01:51:18 – Connecting with Sebenesellassie.com
- 01:54:51 – Upcoming Conversations and Thank Yous
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