This episode features author, theologist, and Community Dharma Leader, Pamela Ayo Yetunde. Hear about Ayo’s upbringing and early roots in the church and Black Christian community, and how her love of music and poetry spawned a deep appreciation of the spiritual and symbolic elements hidden within artistic compositions. Ayo discusses influential figures, authors, and musicians from Gandhi, bell hooks, and Audre Lorde to American singer and songwriter, India Arie. In particular, she cites the pop icon Prince as having a significant influence on her life and work, underscored in her recent book Dearly Beloved: Prince, Spirituality and This Thing Called Life. All these early experiences and more ripened Ayo to explore the heartfelt dimensions of healing and spirituality, starting with the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh followed by Insight Meditation teacher Gil Fronsdal and her work early on with the Zen Hospice Project alongside beloved volunteer coordinator Eric Poché. The cumulation of these experiences and more are what brought her to This Very Moment.
In addition to discussing her life and work, this interview focuses on the intersection of music and spirituality, aligned with Ayo’s current exploration of theolyricology, a term coined by Ayo meaning “the study of song lyrics about God, gods, spirituality, and/or the divine.”
Watch this interview or read the episode show notes at shambhala.com/podcast.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to Ayo Yetunde and her work
00:52 – Early life, church roots, and spiritual beginnings
06:10 – Music, poetry, and creative expression as formation
13:45 – Hospice work and being with death and grief
22:30 – Black Buddhist organizing and community building
32:05 – Editing Black and Buddhist and shaping collective voice
41:20 – Theolyricology: studying song lyrics about the divine
52:10 – Wisdom, practice, and sustaining spiritual life
01:06:40 – Closing reflections and where to find Ayo’s work
Books by the Author:
