079 The roots of inequality and exploitation run far deeper than the machinations of privileged elites and would be dictators. Behind the insatiable quest for power and control hides an unexamined primal fear that defies a political solution. Death is the great equalizer. History is defined by world leaders and political activists consumed by the struggle to defy the truth of impermanence by any means, including engaging in horrendous acts of violence. When the world is literally on fire spending time on the meditation cushion facing our existential issues can seem indulgent. However, without cultural rituals and ways of relating to death we risk becoming a version of the oppressor or tyrant we claim to be fighting.

In this conversation with Dr James Rowe, author of Radical Mindfulness: Why transforming the fear of death is politically vital, we discuss the enduring will to supremacy and why the fear of death is the ultimate upstream cause of so many personal and political conflicts. We also discuss how mind/body practices like meditation can help us metabolize existential fear, making us more effective and compassionate change makers.

Photo by Photo by Chris on Unsplash

Music used in this episode by atlasaudio on Pixabay

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