The Wake Up London Podcast (Part of The Plum Village Tradition)

Welcome back to the Wake up London Podcast.In this, the first episode of 2025 we look back to 2024 and ahead to the New Year from the Gregorian Celebrations a few weeks ago, We hear reflections/prayer and wishes from Wake Up Londoners Charlotte, Lucy, Vedantha, Iain and Sam. Thank you to them for contributing.To be aware of; In the shows intro and in the sharings we touch on genocide, violence, racism and climate breakdown alongside our heartfelt hopes to all who suffer these injustices.We also listen to Thay (Thich Nhat Hanh) speaking at the IP (Israel Palestine) retreat about pathways to understanding.Podcast donation - thank you - https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML1D82D3CFM0S/checkout/TZH43O7CBUXYNP24J2BF3LRJMusic this episode comes from Betsy Rose and the Nayar Collective.https://www.betsyrosemusic.org/bio/https://www.instagram.com/nayarcollective/

In this short Christmas episode of The Wake Up London podcast, Joe reads us one of Thich Nhat Hanh's Christmas messages from 2012: Our True Home. The episode ends with Over The Mountain by Joe and friend, Syrian singer and Plum Village practitioner Christa Awad.

In this mini-episode we listen to 3 extracts from the new Peace Sounds 3 album released on Peace Sounds, a label project within Wake Up London in 2012.Peace Sounds 3 is a fundraising project for The Being Peace Practice Centre, a campaign to establish a permanent home for Plum Village retreats and courses in the UK.The album is launched on Sunday 15th of October with an evening of album playback, live performance and conversation. We will also hold a silence for all affected by the recent escalation of violence in the middle east and for all reported and unreported conflicts in our world.To book a free place on Sunday visit: https://plumvillage.uk/event/peace-sounds-3/?fbclid=IwAR2Lv49dlNm6IjPCJ3yTy78xKfuX4js2OdiENAzuJxs2LBCwb2WqKmI5VSAA recording of the evening will appear in the show notes shortly after Sunday.Peace Sounds 3 is currently available on Bandcamp along with Peace Sounds 1 and 2:https://peacesounds.bandcamp.comWe hear this episode from Joshua K, Rising Appalachia and a collaboration between Manu Farenzena and (myself!) Joe Holtaway, https://musicofjoshuak.bandcamp.comhttps://www.risingappalachia.com http://joeholtaway.com

Welcome to Episode 12, International part 2: This is the second journey we take into the international Wake Up Community. We have a long conversation with Wake Up Jamie, Jennifer, Rosalia, Phoung, Gabriel and Hulf from Hong Kong and also Arlind, the current Wake Up Co ordinator, who comes by for a sharing. We have a guided meditation this episode from Wake Up London Facilitator Jack and our two music tracks; 'Tender' by Nayar and 'How Sweet Sweet' by Ha Down .https://wakeuplondon.org/podcast/ (donation)Wake Up Hong Kong: https://www.instagram.com/wake.up.hk/Wake Up International: https://wkup.org email submissions to Arlind@wkup.orgPeace Sounds 3 Online Launch Party: https://plumvillage.uk/event/peace-sounds-3/Nayar: https://soundcloud.com/nayarbandHa Down: https://www.instagram.com/ha.down11/

Welcome to Episode 11, MovementThis episode looks at movement. We have a long conversation with Wake Up London Hiking group founder Dave. Short sharings in this episode come from Jasmine and Serena, Wake Up friends who recently shared some time on the Camino pilgrimage route together in Spain,and Tamsin shares about a group of Wake Up Londoners running the 10k in Battersea Park to raise money for The Being Peace Practice Centre.We have a guided meditation this episode from Sibling Yon Ten who also shares about movement from the perspective of someone using a wheelchair and we two music tracks; Resilient by Rising Appalachia and Pebble Meditation by Charity and The Jam Band.https://wakeuplondon.org/podcast/ (donation)For more on the Being PeaceMindful Hiking: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CxG0vGfHlid9YzZ2hAOPUSDonate for the Battersea 10k Being Peace Practice Centre Fundraiser: https://tinyurl.com/wakeuplondonfundraisingrunPractice Center” https://plumvillage.uk/beingpeace/Sibling Yon Ten: https://www.facebook.com/SiblingYontenMusic: https://www.risingappalachia.com https://www.jamjamjam.com

Welcome to Episode 10, Being Peace Part 2.This episode looks ahead to the UK Plum Village Practice Centre Fundraising year - that begun with the Fundraiser Launch on March 26thWe have a long conversation with Sister Tam Muoi and Brother Thien Chi from Plum Village who are about to set off on a UK and Ireland tour to coincide with the fundraising.Short sharings in this episode come from Lama Rod Owens, Christa Awad, Sister Chan Khong and Sister Chan Duc all from the Being Peace Fundraising evening. 2 community messages: Twan tells us about a Climate workshop for activists and talk given by Sister Chan Duc in London on Sunday May 12th and we also have a announcement about Metta Circle Sudan, a fundraising evening in support of those affected by escalating situation there on Sunday May 14th.We have a guided meditation from Brother Phap Huu (and a well wish from Jo Confino and Phap Huu from The Plum Village, 'The Way Out Is In' Podcast) and music this episode from Betsy Rose and Christa Awad.https://wakeuplondon.org/podcast/ (donation)For more on the Being Peace Practice Centerhttps://plumvillage.uk/beingpeace/Climate talk/workshop:wakeuplondon.org/climateanxiety (ps: 20 volunteers needed - will receive free tickets)Metta Circle Sudan:tinyurl.com/meditatesudanLama Rod Owens: lamarod.comMusic:betsyrosemusic.orgyoutube.com/@relaxsleeplullaby5117 (Christa Awad)

Welcome to Episode 9, Being Peace Part 1.This episode looks ahead to the prospective UK Plum Village Practice Centre - beginning with the Fundraiser Launch on March 26thWe have a long conversation with Kasia from Wake Up London and Communications at Plum Village UK about her experience of arriving at Wake Up London, dance and mindfulness and her role at Plum Village UK - which at the moment is helping prepare for the Fundraiser.Short sharings in this episode about Sangha come from 2 of our presenters for the launch: Rehena Harilall and Monica Max West, and Wake Upper Tom Manwell.2 community messages: Stronger On Sundays (most recently Melissa James speaks to Lama Rod Owens) and a reminder of the Being Peace Practice Fundraiser Launch from Joan Halifax, Charles Eisenstein, Kaira Jewel Lingo, Lama Rod Owens and Krista Tippett.Our reading comes from Joan Halifax also, in the shape of a guided meditations that Thich Nhat Hanh taught her.Music this episode comes from Martha Tilston and Melissa Jameshttps://wakeuplondon.org/podcast/ (donation)Fundraiser tickets:bit.ly/BeingPeaceFundraiserBeInmusichttp://marthatilston.co.ukhttp://melissa-james.com

Welcome to Episode 8, International. This episode celebrates the international Wake up Movement, by connecting to some of our international siblings.We have a long conversation with Ana from Wake Up Madrid about her personal practice and meeting the sangha there and short sharings from Jamie and Holf (Wake Up Hong Kong) and Yoav (Wake Up Tel Aviv).A community announcement this episode about The Being Peace project, ongoing this year to raise funds to start the 'Being Peace' UK practice centre.Our reading comes from current Happy Farmer Max from Sweden, reading from Thich Nhat Hanh's 'Love Letter to the Earth.Music this episode comes from Washington's 'Born I' and Mexican trio 'Mi Isla Interior' (Island Within)*************https://wakeuplondon.org/podcast/http://bornimusic.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@islandwithinmyself/featuredhttps://plumvillage.org/community/happy-farm/https://tinyurl.com/beingpeacefundraiser

Welcome to Episode 7, Beginnings. This episode celebrates 12 years of Wake Up London; looking at the early days.We have a long conversation with founder members Elina and Nick and short sharing with Katrina, Lucy, Ethan and Doran about their experiences of 12 years ago and seeing the community grow since then.We have a community announcement about celebrating with us on Saturday night (29th October)We also have a sharing from Kareem about spiritual friendship, monastics and Thich Nhat Hanh's legacy and a reading from Lucy from one of Thich Nhat Hanh's books about CommunityMusic this episode comes from Little Earth (aka Elina Pen) and Joe Reilly featuring Nigel Armstrong on violin.

Welcome to Episode 6, Colours of Compassion. This episode takes a journey with some voices from the BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Colour) Community in the UK Plum Village Sangha.We have a long conversation with artist Melissa James talking about her life as a singer/songwriter and a singing facilitator with a passion for racial awareness and justice. We have a 3-way sharing between Anh, Renuka and Kareem about their experience of Colours of Compassion and also one from Rehena who also talks about founding Buddhist inter-traditional BIPOC centred space, Buddhists Across Traditions.Music this episode comes from Melissa James and Ha Down who also brings us our reading this time on Thich Nhat's Hanh's mantras on love.plumvillage.uk/practice-groups/find-a-group/colours-of-compassion/buddhistsacrosstraditions.orgmelissa-james.comyoutube.com/c/hadown11

This episode looks at our Rainbow Sangha. The a long conversation is with Kesley, a therapist working with LGBTQAI+ refugees who also supports events management at Plum Village UK.We have sharings from Upper Hamlet Happy Farm co-ordinator Mick and Rachel (of Episode 4 fame!) about their experiences with Rainbow Sangha. A community announcement this episode comes from Pia (she/her) and Lena(she/her) of Wake Up in Germany about a rainbow community project in Europe. There is music this episode from Rosanna Lea and Monica Max West (she/her) and Max reads from one of Thay's Q and A sessions where he is asked for the buddhist view on homosexuality.Presented by Joe Holtaway (he/him)Links mentioned in the episode.https://pinktherapy.orgThe reference to donate to provide essential supplies (food and medicine) is "Kakuma Block 13"https://triangle.org.za/get-involved/donate/https://rosannalea.bandcamp.comhttp://monicamaxwest.comhttps://gayisagift.blogspot.com/2010/05/zen-monk-thich-nhat-hanh-on-gay-is-gift.htmlContact Pia and Leah here : pia.schaefer@freenet.deIf you have any feedback or ideas for the podcast, please send us an e-mail at podcast@wakeuplondon.org

This episode looks at Burnout. The a long conversation is with Rachel, who is currently living not far from Plum Village in France helping to run retreats at The Cedres Bleus Retreat Centre. Rachel shares about life as a rock star (!), a refugee advocate and a the experience of burnout that led to Plum Village.We have sharings from Annabel and Charlotte about their burnout experiences. There is music from Wondrous Sound and Joe Holtaway (!) and Gabi reads from 'I Vow Not To Burn Out' an article by Mushim Patricia Ikeda published by Parallax PressLinks mentioned in the episode.linktr.ee/wondrousoundparallax.org/vow/The music in the programme can be found here linktr.ee/wondrousound and joeholtaway.comIf you have any feedback or ideas for the podcast, please send us an e-mail at podcast@wakeuplondon.org

This episode looks at retreats. There is a long conversation with Robbie, who currently is on a year's stay in PV following the Rains Retreat. We also hear from Brother Dao Bi about this year's Wake Up Humanity retreat.We have sharings from Max, Twan and Rachel about their retreat experiences. There is music from Nimo and Betsy Rose and Vanessa reads from Thich Nhat Hanh's book 'Fear'.

Following last episode's conversation with Ieva about growing up in Lithuania; this episode welcomes Sonia, sharing about experiences of growing up in Russia.We have community announcements from Rebecca and Melissa. Manu, Karen and Joe tell us what memories nourish their inner child. There is music from Monica Max West, Message To Bears and Charlie reads 2 of Thay's poems on conflict and peace during the war in Vietnam.Melissa James is raising funds to support people from Africa experiencing racism in Ukraine. For more information and tickets for 'Afrikans in Ukraine' on April 24th, please visit this link: http://melissa-james.com/index.php/stronger-on-sundays-sunday-24-april-1800-2000-bst/--If you have any feedback or ideas for the podcast, please send us an e-mail at podcast@wakeuplondon.org

With the breaking news of the violence in Ukraine, Joe talks to Wake Upper Ieva about growing up in Lithuania; another of the former soviet countries, neighbour but one to Ukraine and bordering Russia. Kirsten and Duncan reflect on the peace sit from Trafalgar Square as it fills up with a Stop The War demonstration. Orla reads from Thay's book 'Creating True Peace'. There is music from Hilary Bichovsky and Tom Manwell and in this episode, Wake Uppers talk about how they have been practicing with strong emotions.If you have any feedback or ideas for the podcast, please send us an e-mail at podcast@wakeuplondon.org

In this pilot episode, Joe talks with Catalin Zorzini about his work on the Plum Village app. Hà Dương shares a reading from Vietnam out of Thay's book ‘Peace is Every Step'. There is music from Elina Pen and Melissa James and a few of our Wake Up members share what their conditions of happiness are.Thanks to Joe Holtaway and all of or Wake Up friends to make this podcast possible.Visit us at www.wakeuplondon.org or get in touch at info@wakeuplondon.org.If you have any feedback or ideas for the podcast, please send us an e-mail at podcast@wakeuplondon.org