Academy in One Day
Whilst Arendt is chiefly famous for her provocative study of the trial of Adolf Eichmann – from which we get the famous phrase ‘the banality of evil’ – Arendt’s important philosophical work, The Human Condition, is a profoundly original study of human life that deserves far greater attention than it receives. 

At the centre of The Human Condition is Arendt’s bold distinction between three spheres of human activity: Labour, Work, and Action. Labour, the toil that is essential for the preservation of biological life, Arendt associates with necessity, with what we must do to survive. The recurrent cycle of Labour and its characteristic lack of individuality is redeemed in part by Work – that is, the creation of and addition to the tangible human edifice, in a way that outlasts our own lives and makes possible our being remembered. For Arendt, however, it is only in Action that we experience freedom, for in Action we show ‘who’ we are (unique individuals), not merely ‘what’ we are (members of the human species). Only in Action are we motivated by concerns that go beyond the preservation of life. Rehabilitating this state of freedom, which Arendt associates with politics, is the central concern of The Human Condition. To this end, she draws on the Christian-Humanist celebration of natality, offering an impassioned defence of the ‘miracle’ that is the birth of each and every unique human being. 

The Human Condition is a challenging yet endlessly rewarding text, and the freshness and erudition of Arendt’s prose stands as a fine advert for the humanist ideals of the academy.

Speakers
Jon Nixon
writer, Centre of International Education and Lifelong Learning, Hong Kong Institute of Education; author, Hannah Arendt and the politics of friendship; founding co-editor, Perspectives in Leadership in Higher Education

Chair
Jacob Reynolds
consultant, SHM Productions


Hannah Arendt, The Human Condition

"Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.” ~ Buddha &nbsp; This week, you're guided on a Confidence in Relationship Journey to begin to accept yourself exactly as you are. This is part of a collection of meditation series focused on Your Inward Journey. You'll focus on tapping into your inner wisdom. &nbsp; This is part 7 of a 7-part Confidence in Relationships meditation series, episodes 2145-2151. &nbsp; THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: You're invited to take part in an Inner Love Quest where every day this week you are encouraged to do one kind thing for yourself. &nbsp; THIS WEEK'S MEDITATION TECHNIQUES: &nbsp; Day 1: Visualization to be kind to yourself Day 2: Affirmation - "I send love + gratitude to those around me." Day 3: Breathing - Inhale: Visualize face of loved one, Exhale: Smile inwardly Day 4: Mudra - Kalesvara for love Day 5: Chakra - 4th - love - green color - air element Day 6: Layer the week's meditation techniques together Day 7: Walking Meditation SUBSCRIBE, LEAVE A REVIEW + TAKE OUR SURVEY SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at  and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! SURVEY: Help us get to know more about how best to serve you by taking our demographics survey:  NEED A LITTLE EXTRA SUPPORT?  Each day's meditation techniques shared at:   sip.and.om Instagram   sip and om Facebook     JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP Connect with other meditators on the Daily Meditation Podcast private Facebook group!  SIP AND OM MEDITATION APP  Join Mary for deeper, longer daily 30-minute guided meditations on the Sip and Om meditation app. Give it a whirl for 2-weeks free! Receive access to 2,000+ 30-minute guided meditations customized around a weekly theme to help you manage emotions. Receive a Clarity Journal and a Slow Down Guide customized for each weekly theme.&nbsp;   https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&amp;preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone   https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sipandom.sipandom All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com. Resources: Music by Christopher Lloyd Clarke and Greg Keller.

Being Present With Yourself

"Ignorance is always afraid of change." ~ Jawaharlal Nehru &nbsp; This week, you're guided on a Trust Journey to begin to allow life to happen at its own pace. This is part of a collection of meditation series focused on Your Inward Journey. You're going to be tapping into your inner wisdom. &nbsp; This is part 1 of a 7-part Trust meditation series, episodes 2152-2158. &nbsp; THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: You're invited to take part in a Trust Quest. Every day this week, think of something in the world that's positive. Notice your worries and your fears subside as you begin to trust the process of life. &nbsp; THIS WEEK'S MEDITATION TECHNIQUES: &nbsp; Day 1: Visualization to find hope in the world Day 2: Affirmation - "I believe in the miracle of life." Day 3: Breathing - Inhale: Visualize something good happening in the world&nbsp; Exhale: Doubt and fear Day 4: Mudra - Garuda mudra to energize yourself Day 5: Chakra - 2nd - open to life - orange color - water element Day 6: Layer the week's meditation techniques together Day 7: Walking Meditation SUBSCRIBE, LEAVE A REVIEW + TAKE OUR SURVEY SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at  and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! SURVEY: Help us get to know more about how best to serve you by taking our demographics survey:  NEED A LITTLE EXTRA SUPPORT?  Each day's meditation techniques shared at:   sip.and.om Instagram   sip and om Facebook     JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP Connect with other meditators on the Daily Meditation Podcast private Facebook group!  SIP AND OM MEDITATION APP  Join Mary for deeper, longer daily 30-minute guided meditations on the Sip and Om meditation app. Give it a whirl for 2-weeks free! Receive access to 2,000+ 30-minute guided meditations customized around a weekly theme to help you manage emotions. Receive a Clarity Journal and a Slow Down Guide customized for each weekly theme.&nbsp;   https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&amp;preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone   MEET YOUR FELLOW MEDITATOR Evie Burguieres and her vegan and anti-cruelty shops, Cocoally Vegan Botique and Sesame the Opossum Art and Apparel Shop. All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com. Resources: Music by Christopher Lloyd Clarke and Greg Keller.

Trust the Process of Life

"I believe in the miracle of life." - sip and om affirmation &nbsp; This week, you're guided on a Trust Journey to begin to allow life to happen at its own pace. This is part of a collection of meditation series focused on Your Inward Journey. You're going to be tapping into your inner wisdom. &nbsp; This is part 6 of a 7-part Trust meditation series, episodes 2152-2158. &nbsp; THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: You're invited to take part in a Trust Quest. Every day this week, think of something in the world that's positive. Notice your worries and your fears subside as you begin to trust the process of life. &nbsp; THIS WEEK'S MEDITATION TECHNIQUES: &nbsp; Day 1: Visualization to find hope in the world Day 2: Affirmation - "I believe in the miracle of life." Day 3: Breathing - Inhale: Visualize something good happening in the world&nbsp; Exhale: Doubt and fear Day 4: Mudra - Garuda mudra to energize yourself Day 5: Chakra - 2nd - open to life - orange color - water element Day 6: Layer the week's meditation techniques together Day 7: Walking Meditation SUBSCRIBE, LEAVE A REVIEW + TAKE OUR SURVEY SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at  and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! SURVEY: Help us get to know more about how best to serve you by taking our demographics survey:  NEED A LITTLE EXTRA SUPPORT?  Each day's meditation techniques shared at:   sip.and.om Instagram   sip and om Facebook     JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP Connect with other meditators on the Daily Meditation Podcast private Facebook group!  SIP AND OM MEDITATION APP  Join Mary for deeper, longer daily 30-minute guided meditations on the Sip and Om meditation app. Give it a whirl for 2-weeks free! Receive access to 2,000+ 30-minute guided meditations customized around a weekly theme to help you manage emotions. Receive a Clarity Journal and a Slow Down Guide customized for each weekly theme.&nbsp;   https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&amp;preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone   All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com. Resources: Music by Christopher Lloyd Clarke and Greg Keller.

Confidence

"Although today may be a challenge, it's just another day. People who meditate and take care of themselves will certainly get through it." ~ A Fellow Meditator from New Jersey &nbsp; Today is a big day for Americans as a new President is elected. Today's meditation technique will help you focus on gratitude regardless of which candidate wins. It's a win for everyone each time you focus on peace and gratitude.&nbsp; &nbsp; We already know that for most people, gratitude is a powerful way to feel more at peace in the world. But how does gratitude impact those who struggle with depression and anxiety? Research shows that a daily practice of gratitude has significant psychological benefits for those who struggle with depression and anxiety. &nbsp; This week, you're invited to take part in a guided&nbsp; Gratitude Journey. Each day you'll take part in a gratitude meditation to improve your mental health. &nbsp; This is part 4 of a 7-part Gratitude for your Mental Health meditation series, episodes 2152-2158. &nbsp; THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: You're invited to take part in a Gratitude Quest. Every day this week, let someone know you appreciate them. Reach out to them by email, a text message, a phone call, or write them a letter. Share your gratitude every day. &nbsp; THIS WEEK'S MEDITATION TECHNIQUES: &nbsp; Day 1: Visualization to feel gratitude Day 2: Affirmation - "I am grateful for my life." Day 3: Breathing - Inhale: gratitude Exhale: sadness Day 4: Mudra - Anjali Prayer Mudra for peace Day 5: Chakra - 4th - love + gratitude - orange green - air element Day 6: Layer the week's meditation techniques together Day 7: Walking Meditation SUBSCRIBE, LEAVE A REVIEW + TAKE OUR SURVEY SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at  and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! SURVEY: Help us get to know more about how best to serve you by taking our demographics survey:  NEED A LITTLE EXTRA SUPPORT?  Each day's meditation techniques shared at:   sip.and.om Instagram   sip and om Facebook     JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP Connect with other meditators on the Daily Meditation Podcast private Facebook group!  SIP AND OM MEDITATION APP  Join Mary for deeper, longer daily 30-minute guided meditations on the Sip and Om meditation app. Give it a whirl for 2-weeks free! Receive access to 2,000+ 30-minute guided meditations customized around a weekly theme to help you manage emotions. Receive a Clarity Journal and a Slow Down Guide customized for each weekly theme.&nbsp;   https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&amp;preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone   All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com. Resources: Music by Christopher Lloyd Clarke and Greg Keller.

Getting Through Today

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment."&nbsp; ~ Buddha &nbsp; Do you wonder when this whirlwind of what seems like continuous tumultuous events will end? Although the pandemic is ongoing, we have a breather from the long-drawn-out political elections in the United States. It's time to simply breathe. &nbsp; This week, I invite you to slow down and breathe with me all week long. You'll explore a different breathing technique in each episode to calm your emotional state. &nbsp; This is part 5 of a 7-part Simply Breathe meditation series, episodes 2159-2165. &nbsp; THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: You're invited to take part in a Breathing Quest. Every day this week, notice your breath. In particular, notice the pause between your inhale and exhale. &nbsp; THIS WEEK'S MEDITATION TECHNIQUES: &nbsp; Day 1:&nbsp; Instant Om Breath Day 2:&nbsp; Calming Breath + Affirmation "I am." Day 3:&nbsp; Confidence Breath Day 4:&nbsp; Relaxation Breath to Sleep Better Day 5:&nbsp; Energizing Breath Day 6:&nbsp; Forgiveness Breath Day 7:&nbsp; Walking Meditation SUBSCRIBE, LEAVE A REVIEW + TAKE OUR SURVEY SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at  and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! SURVEY: Help us get to know more about how best to serve you by taking our demographics survey:  NEED A LITTLE EXTRA SUPPORT?  Each day's meditation techniques shared at:   sip.and.om Instagram   sip and om Facebook     JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP Connect with other meditators on the Daily Meditation Podcast private Facebook group!  SIP AND OM MEDITATION APP  Join Mary for deeper, longer daily 30-minute guided meditations on the Sip and Om meditation app. Give it a whirl for 2-weeks free! Receive access to 2,000+ 30-minute guided meditations customized around a weekly theme to help you manage emotions. Receive a Clarity Journal and a Slow Down Guide customized for each weekly theme.&nbsp;   https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&amp;preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone   All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com. Resources: Music by Christopher Lloyd Clarke and Greg Keller.

Focus Your Mind

What a strange, odd, mixed-up year it has been.  The yellow spanner of Covid-19 really wrecked a lot of plans. I was all booked to travel to Estonia to record, but it had to be cancelled.   Very noticeable was the sunlight, perhaps it was because there was few jet trails, but when the day was cloudless the sunlight could be absolutely dazzling, it had the strange effect of making it feel like we were living in paradise.     Because of the restrictions I am so glad the woods is only within a moderate cycle distance from my home.  I am very fortunate that I have two fairly good places to record relatively close by.  I even found a wild sand dune area not even five kilometers away,  I hope to record more there in the future.   Disc 1 track 2 is from a much longer recording, it is probably one of the best recordings made during the 2020 season, I had made a few recordings, near the stream, then a bit less close, then a bit further away and another even further away, as I wanted a sound where the stream was a suggestion rather than really dominating the sound picture.  The Blue Tits nested in a cavity block in the wall of my home, there is an vent on the inside of the block, so I only needed to place the microphone up to that to get a fantastic close perspective recording.  
I include two recordings of the Blue tits as they sounded so different when I recorded them a week later.  Sometimes I would get great results by leaving the old Marantz recorder hidden in a bushy place while I go not too far away to record with the new recorder, I love how I had no idea of what it has captured for me, only later when the track loaded on the computer did I get to see if it captured anything worthwhile.  This was the case with Blackbird - alarm calls (Track 3 on disc 2).  I think the peaks came in at about minus six db.  This year was my first time to use Contact microphones and a Hydrophone.    
At the beginning of April my dad Desmond died, he was 89, a great age.  Apart from Covid, we could see he wasn’t going to live much longer, he had been deteriorating noticeably for months up to that.  Why then are the covers for the two discs so strange ?  
A birdsong production should have birds on it !   My dad was big into sun power and indeed wind power even long before it became popular.  Over by my workshop he had placed a few sun power panels on the wall, these were wired into a small room to a panel on the wall with six switches.  I thought it a good way to remember him by including a picture of part of his panel for disc one front cover.  I was going to include the six switches in the picture, but my heart of hearts said no, it didn’t look good, too much scruffy brown, but I include it in the zipped folder (If you are buying it on Bandcamp)so you can see what I am talking about.  I had almost chosen it, as it occurred to me one morning that the six switches are like the levels of lockdown (I hate that term, but I have to use it here) thankfully we didn’t have a level six, maybe that is like in a movie I saw where the authorities came and boarded up a house with the people still inside.  In the end I used the part of the photo with the meter.   
The butterflies . . . Dessie we call him, was always interested in butterflies, that is where I got my interest in nature, as a child he used to bring us for walks up along the canal to see the wild flowers and butterflies.  The picture comes from one drawer of his small collection of Irish butterflies he put together maybe around the late 1940’s or 1950’s ??  Very few of them are even in one piece now, this drawer just looked the part, it was all mixed up and spoiled like the year had been, the summer we never really had, at least not the way we wanted or had planned it.

A Strange Year - Disc One - (Album Sample)

The second impeachment trial of Donald Trump <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2021/01/16/donald-trumps-reckoning?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">will make history</a>, but its outcome is assured. We ask what the proceedings say about the Republican Party. China’s youth are making their own way, even as the Communist regime tries to win greater loyalty from them; we examine the country’s <a href="https://www.economist.com/special-report/2021/01/21/young-chinese-are-both-patriotic-and-socially-progressive?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">future leaders</a>. And another, overlooked pandemic: that of <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2021/01/28/youll-often-walk-alone?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">loneliness at work</a>. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here <a href="http://www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer</a> &#10;&nbsp; <hr>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.

The art of the done deal: Trump on trial, again

Terror groups and separatists run riot in the sprawling region, and France has had <a href="https://espresso.economist.com/9f5a14374960400c7f537198d1e26acd?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">some success</a> in keeping the peace. But how, and when, to draw down its troops? Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the World Trade Organisation’s history-making new leader, has <a href="https://espresso.economist.com/81517079882bbb04ab3b2c1fb244f336?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">quite the task</a> ahead to rebuild trust in and among the institution’s members. And the <a href="https://espresso.economist.com/4f4c7d3dd85ea84eb208d7cd031dbfe7?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">worrying shifts</a> in subsea soundscapes.&nbsp;Additional audio courtesy Jana Winderen. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here <a href="http://www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer</a> &#10;&nbsp; <hr>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.

Desert stands: France in the Sahel

A media code that would obligate tech giants to pay for linking to news stories looks set to pass. In response, Facebook pre-emptively <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2021/02/18/facebook-walks-as-google-caves-in-australia?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">took down</a> those links—and a whole lot more. So-called <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2021/02/06/arab-governments-are-doing-too-little-to-end-honour-killings?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">honour killings</a> persist in the Arab world; we examine the support for such murders and look at attempts to reform lax laws. And remembering the jazz-fusion giant <a href="https://www.economist.com/obituary/2021/02/18/chick-corea-died-on-february-9th?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chick Corea</a>.For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here <a href="http://www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer</a> &#10;&nbsp; <hr>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.

Have I not news for you: Facebook’s Australian battle

Guided meditations 7-days a week to sleep better, reduce stress and anxiety, and to be your most productive. Join a Free 100-Day Meditation Quest at www.SipandOm.com, where you're also invited to join a Free Private Daily Meditation Facebook Group to connect with listeners from around the world who follow the weekly meditation series along with you. Learn how to meditate in just 15-minutes as we explore a different weekly meditation theme together. Additionally you'll discover a brand new meditation technique every single day. The meditation techniques help you Manage Stress (Episodes 323-329)during your day, whether you're Managing Anger (Episodes 106-112), Self Doubt (Episodes 225-231), Fear (Episodes 344-350), Addiction (Episodes 386-392), Anxiety (Episodes 176-182), Depression (Episodes 443-449)or need a little extra Confidence (Episodes 190-196). 

Mary Meckley is your certified Meditation Coach.