Thomas Steininger in dialogue with Soryu Forall

The coronavirus is an enormous challenge for the world and for each of us. How can we stay present, open, and vulnerable during this historic stress test of our own health, psychological stability, and society? At the same time, panic can become a pandemic that can shred the cohesion and compassion in our communities. How do we not panic and not bury our heads in the sand? To be human also simply means to be really present, to be present and to stay in relationship with each other. This calls us to spiritual maturity, which is something that Soryu Forall sees as essential as we collectively face an increasingly uncertain future.Soryu Forall, an American Buddhist teacher and founder of the Monastic Academy in Vermont, sees spiritual training as critical for developing the equanimity to deal with the chaos of climate change and global disruption. His “Monastic Academy for the Preservation of Life on Earth” (MAPLE) aims to develop leaders who can create deeply sustainable communities of resilience and compassion for All of Life. Soryu Forall has trained mindfulness teachers all over the world and is known for his fight against systemic injustice and the empowerment of youth.