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X-Change through Conversation: Pico Iyer & Paul Holdengräber
- Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, 244 South San Pedro Street, Los Angeles
The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center proudly presents X-Change, an exclusive series of illuminating conversations with some of today's most profound thinkers, hosted by renowned interviewer Paul Holdengräber.
For their inaugural event, JACCC invites you to witness a truly extraordinary encounter. At 7:00 pm sharp, following a ceremonial cleansing arrow shot by JACCC Master Artist in Residence Hirokazu Kosaka on the Garden Stage, accompanied by guest violinist Vijay Gupta, renowned interviewer Paul Holdengräber will dive into a powerful conversation with acclaimed author and global citizen Pico Iyer.
Using Iyer's latest work, Aflame: Learning from Silence, as their point of departure, they will explore Iyer's profound insights gained through years of silent meditation after losing his family home in a devastating Santa Barbara wildfire over three decades ago.
In Iyer's own words:
"In Buddhist Japan, life is sometimes said to involve 'joyful participation in a world of sorrows.' Life will always be difficult, in other words, but that need never be incompatible with wonder and beauty and even joy.
We've all been thinking about how to remain confident and strong in Southern California as so many lives have been tragically upended and even destroyed by fire. I flew back into the area to talk about my new book, Aflame--addressing climate change and monasticism and silence and my own loss of everything in the world in a wildfire—the very day flames were roaring around Los Angeles. Driving back to the house we'd rebuilt after the fire, I found it pitch-black, with no phone service, because high winds threatened another fire around our house.
How can we stay calm in the face of mounting uncertainty? And how can we remain hopeful in the midst of impermanence?
I'd love to talk about these urgent questions, and what wise and seasoned Japan may have to bring to them."
Join JACCC for this transformative dialogue where ancient wisdom meets contemporary challenges, and discover how mindfulness can help us navigate life's inevitable upheavals with grace and resilience.
Reception and book signing to follow. A ping pong table will be provided by Little Tokyo Table Tennis for audience members to enjoy during the event.
When
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Doors Open: 6:30 pm | Event: 7:00 pm
Where
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
About the series:
Where ideas meet, transform, and illuminate our shared human experience.
X-Change is a JACCC series that fosters dynamic discussions across a variety of fields. Led by Paul Holdengräber, the series will delve into Japanese concepts such as MA (the pause or emptiness necessary for growth) and DŌ (the pursuit of excellence and collective thinking). Known for his engaging interview style and deep cultural knowledge, Holdengräber has hosted renowned cultural conversations at NYPL, earning praise from figures like Laurie Anderson and Salman Rushdie for his ability to connect diverse ideas and spark meaningful dialogue.