[Unedited] Devendra Banhart with Krista Tippett

Collective Resilience

The conversation between Krista Tippett and Devendra Banhart highlights the power of collective resilience and community support during challenging times. Devendra emphasizes the importance of spiritual teachings, like those of Pema Chödrön, in reinforcing collective strength and empathy. He shares how practices like Tonglin help unburden oneself by fostering compassion for others, even in ordinary moments like reading the newspaper or listening to the rain 1.

It's a relief to care about somebody else. It's a relief to realize that, to get out of your head too.

--- Devendra Banhart

Krista adds that these spiritual practices challenge the cultural notion of self-reliance, emphasizing that true resilience is not about being heroic but about finding strength in vulnerability and community 2.

   

Gratitude & Healing

Expressions of gratitude and the healing power of love are central themes in the dialogue. Devendra reflects on how the pandemic has amplified gratitude, as communities come together to applaud healthcare workers, creating a profound sense of connection and appreciation 3. This shared experience of gratitude contrasts with past experiences of manipulated public sentiment, highlighting the genuine, homegrown nature of current expressions.

This kinship with the suffering of others, this inability to continue to regard it from afar, is the discovery of our soft spot, the discovery of bodhicitta.

--- Devendra Banhart

Krista and Devendra also discuss the concept of bodhicitta, the noble or awakened heart, which is inherent in all beings and becomes a source of healing and connection during difficult times 4.

   

Embracing Change

The discussion further explores the theme of embracing change and finding healing in the midst of chaos. Krista reads passages from Pema Chödrön's "When Things Fall Apart," which emphasize that healing comes from allowing space for both joy and sorrow, and recognizing the impermanence of all things 5. Devendra finds hope in the idea that even the current pandemic will eventually pass, reinforcing the notion that falling apart is a natural part of life.

Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don't really get solved.

--- Krista Tippett

This perspective encourages embracing the present moment and finding strength in the uncertainty and groundlessness of life.