Gelong Thubten is a British Buddhist monk, meditation teacher and bestselling author. For more than twenty years, he has been teaching meditation in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, schools, prisons, universities and organisations such as Google, LinkedIn and Deloitte. Renowned for his accessible and down-to-earth approach, he presents Buddhist meditation in a way that is both practical and relevant to contemporary life. He is the author of A Monk’s Guide to Happiness and Handbook for Hard Times, Director of Kagyu Samye Dzong Scarborough, and a trustee of ROKPA International, a humanitarian organisation supporting medical, educational and cultural projects in some of the world’s poorest regions.

Charok Lama Rinpoche was recognised as the reincarnation of Kusho Mangden, a revered Sherpa lama and holder of a terma lineage from Nepal’s Mount Everest region. He received his monastic education at Kopan Monastery in Nepal before continuing his studies at Sera Je Monastery in South India, where he completed rigorous training in Buddhist philosophy.

 

In 2020, he chose to continue his path as a lay practitioner while remaining dedicated to teaching the Dharma. Today, he teaches internationally, offering a grounded and contemporary approach to Buddhist wisdom. Known for his warmth, clarity and quiet sense of humour, he communicates profound teachings with remarkable simplicity, making them both accessible and deeply relevant to modern life.

Geshe Yeshe Kunga joined Kopan Monastery in 1992 and went on to study Tibetan Buddhist philosophy at Sera Je Monastic University in South India. After more than twenty years of rigorous training, he was awarded the Geshe degree and later returned to Kopan Monastery, where he became a philosophy teacher.

 

Today, he serves as Kopan’s Ghe-gheu (Disciplinarian), overseeing monastic discipline, academic studies and the daily life of the monastery. In this interview, he offers practical and down-to-earth reflections on working with the mind and cultivating resilience in times of uncertainty.

Dr. Prabhavati Dwabha is the founder of Ramana’s Garden, a charitable organisation in Rishikesh, India, dedicated to providing education, shelter and opportunities for vulnerable children and their communities. Guided by a lifelong commitment to selfless service, she has devoted more than three decades to creating lasting change through education, compassion and community development.

 

In this interview, she reflects on the deeper meaning of service, shares the story behind Ramana’s Garden, and offers thoughtful perspectives on compassion, responsibility and the challenges of our world today.

 

If you would like to support the work of Ramana’s Garden, please visit: ramanassevasamiti.org  Every contribution, however small, makes a difference. ♥

Sonja Peteranderl is an investigative journalist and the founder of BuzzingCities Lab, a think tank exploring the intersection of technology, urban violence and security. She has worked as an editor for DER SPIEGEL and WIRED Germany, as well as a freelance foreign correspondent covering technology, organised crime, migration and social justice.

 

Her research examines the impact of emerging technologies on policing and security, the visibility of marginalised communities, and the role of artificial intelligence in the context of gender-based violence. In this interview, recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, she reflects on how the crisis affected journalism, the communities she works with, and the wider social challenges it brought to light.

Anastasia Shevchenko is the founder of the Berlin Yoga Conference, an international event bringing together leading teachers and practitioners to explore yoga, mindfulness and contemplative practice. Her own journey into yoga began as a teenager, when she turned to the practice to support her recovery from scoliosis, an experience that profoundly shaped her understanding of yoga as a path of healing and self-discovery.

 

At the time of this interview, Anastasia was leading the Berlin Yoga Conference through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, transforming it into an online event while preserving its sense of connection and community. In our conversation, she reflects on resilience, leadership, and the role of practice in times of uncertainty, while also sharing her own path into yoga.

Sneha Shrestha is the founder of Sneha’s Care, a non-profit animal welfare organisation in Nepal dedicated to rescuing, treating and protecting street dogs and other vulnerable animals. Inspired by a deeply personal experience, she founded the organisation in 2014 and has since devoted her life to promoting compassion, animal welfare and lasting social change through rescue, education and advocacy. 

 

In this interview, Sneha shares the story behind Sneha’s Care, reflects on the challenges of animal welfare in Nepal, and speaks about the compassion and determination that continue to guide her work. 

 

If you would like to support the work of Sneha’s Care, please visit: www.snehacare.org Every contribution, however small, makes a difference. ♥

Robert Lyon is the founder of Goa Outreach, a grassroots organisation supporting children and families living in vulnerable communities in Goa, India. Originally from the UK, he has made Goa his home for many years, dedicating his life to creating opportunities for children through education, care and community support.

 

In this interview, recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, Robert shares the personal journey that led him to establish Goa Outreach, reflects on the challenges of serving local communities during an unprecedented crisis, and speaks about the compassion and commitment that continue to guide his work.

 

If you would like to support the work of Goa Outreach, please visit: www.goaoutreach.org  Every contribution, however small, makes a difference. ♥

Pastor John Peña is the founder and community leader of Centro Cristiano El Talento, a faith-based initiative in Cúcuta, Colombia, dedicated to supporting vulnerable families through education, community development and compassionate service. His work brings together spiritual guidance and practical action, creating opportunities for hope and transformation in one of the region’s most challenging contexts. 

 

In this interview, Pastor John reflects on his childhood, the experiences that shaped his vocation, and the community project he helped build. He also shares thoughtful reflections on compassion, tolerance and the importance of living one’s values in times of uncertainty.