Our guest today is Robert M Ellis, who is the chair of the Middle Way Society. For anyone unfamiliar with the society’s aims, it is devoted to developing the theory and practice of the Middle Way beyond the limitations of the Buddhist tradition. From this universal perspective, the Middle Way is understood as a principle of judgement that throws us onto experience by avoiding absolutes, both positive and negative . Robert has a PhD in Philosophy which formed the starting point of his work in developing Middle Way thought as an innovative practical philosophy drawing on various aspects of modern thought. He has produced a series of books on the subject including the Buddha’s Middle Way and the Christian Middle Way and he’s talk to us today about the Middle Way Philosophy series of books that he’s working on.

Sukhema (aka Larry Butler) is a poet and a publisher who teaches tai-chi in healthcare settings, leads therapeutic writing groups for Lapidus Scotland, and has helped establish Towards Transition Glasgow. He completed a facilitator training in the Work That Reconnects (WTR) with Maitrisara, Chris Johnstone and others in England. He co-led a WTR facilitator training course in Scotland with Jenny Mackewn. Larry has 30 years experience facilitating groups and he’s here to talk to us today about the Art of Doing Nothing.

Our guest today is Margaret Wheatley. Margaret, or Meg has worked globally in various roles since 1966, such as a speaker, teacher, community worker, consultant, advisor, and formal leader. She believes that leaders must evoke people’s generosity, creativity, and community in a world that she feels is tearing us apart. A deep understanding of Systems Theory underpins her work and she has written nine books, including the Leadership and the New Science, her recent The Warrior’s Songline as well as the recently updated ‘Who do We choose to be’ Facing reality / Claiming Leadership / Restoring Sanity, the topic of our discussion today, which for me is an inspirational book on not only how to be a sane and compassionate leader in times of crisis and likely collapse but also for anyone who would like to embrace a more pragmatic version of hope that is based on action, courage, presence and responsibility rather than wishful thinking.