Two and a half thousand years ago, Lord Buddha said that the greatest thing in the world is to give health, but the greatest of all great things is to give spiritual health. Today I think this saying has to be reversed, and to give physical and mental health is the greatest service to the world, because without these, spiritual health cannot come. There is a very good definition in the Kathopanishad that the body is a chariot, the organs of action and perception are the horses, the intelligence is the rein and the one who holds the intelligence is the rider. If there is a disturbance in the chariot, then the charioteer cannot control the horses. If the charioteer is skilful, but his chariot is not good, then his skill has no value at all. And it is said that the chariot, which is the body, and the horses, which are the senses, are controlled by the intelligence, the rein. Then the dweller in the body and the dwelling place, the body, both can realise the soul, which is as small as the head of a pin and as vast as the universe.

B.K.S. Iyengar, London, 1984

Latest Papers

The working papers collection comprises historical papers as well as current ideas and works in progress on some of the major issues and topics of our times.

The Great Depression of the Middle Classes (released 19 January 2012)
The political ethos of the United States is always a challenging monster to harness and understand. Most often it is very different from that of Australia. Often it is so radically different that it is very difficult to explain. The words are in English. The markings of people are similar. But the giant currents of change are unlike anything in Australia. There is a complexity of forces playing across 300 million people, cultural spheres and billions of dollars of investment, capacity and spent energy.
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Malleable Hatred (released 28 September 2011)
Labor party hatred is a wonderfully malleable thing.
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Red Dog for Prime Minister (released 19 September 2011)
Faithful, dedicated, hard working, focused and roundly loved by all - everything a PM would aspire to be.
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Kananook (Sweet Water) (released 5 August 2011)
Trees can talk. Thoughts on the majesty of Aboriginal life and its importance for our nation.
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Jabukanji (Port Douglas) (released 4 August 2011)
Jabukanji (Port Douglas) was like the High Court, a cathedral, a war memorial, a cemetry, and an embassy all in one for the combined Bama (Indigenous) nations of the lower Cape York and Cairns region. Bama camped in the area for the duration of their ceremonial or law or diplomatic business but it was not a permanent residential settlement. Just as Londoners do not live in Westminster Abbey, Jabukanji was a revered place of respect and culture. The Mulloridgi, Western and Eastern Yalanji, Jabakai and possibly other Aboriginal nations used Jabukanji to resolve internal and external issues of state and to conduct ceremonies and burials.
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Learning How to Breathe (released 28 May 2011)
Beck Cole's new film "Here I Am" continues the triumphant march of new Indigenous cinema. These are the movies of our lives. In Cinemas from June 2.
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Living in the Age of Limited News (released 14 May 2011)
News Limited, Limited News
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Who or what is Bob Dylan? (released 25 April 2011)
Who or what is Bob Dylan? Ghost? Man? Ghost of a Man? Elfin figure with pointed boots, bent knee and raised foot? Little drummer boy with striped pants and marching tunic? Chorister? Conductor whose gentle hand commands a wall of sound? Rider of the Easter Moon tides? Force who steps through the ordinary world bringing a spirit that is not stopped by any of the foibles of time, place and land? Don Quixote and the wind mills? Is it a child or an old man under the firmly fitting white Fedora hat? Who will emerge with each song? Thoughts on Dylan's Wollongong performance on a fateful Easter day in 2011.
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Crowded Out by Good Intentions (released 20 April 2011)
The problem in Aboriginal Australia is that there are many poor failures that no-one learns from.
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Illegitimate PM (released 18 April 2011)
Free Advice/Wake Up Call to the PM's Office
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