Weathering the jet-lag

and crawled to hear her speak at Amherst College.

I could not believe my eyes, at first glance it was a momentous experience… Rigoberta Menchu at this Ivey League.

Healing Communities Torn by Racism and Violence

Awarded a Nobel Peace Price on 1992 for her work in ethno-cultural reconciliation and social justice for the indigenous peoples of Guatemala.

Humbling to experience her simple ways to address racism as a mental health disease.  How she spoke to the endowed about how isolation, and wealth could feed the social maladaise of our time.  She recommended we meditate, walk nature and set goals.  She also shared her spiritual beliefs in Maya tradition and how we are in the “no-time” era which will turn in the 2010’s into a more gendered balance time.

She asked for support in her running for President of Guatemala.  And of course it would be nice to see her win!  BUT, it is hard to be convinced that such a tender soul could survive the holds of governance — in this hemisphere.

On the way out it was interesting to engage in a comparison between her spiritual and participatory ways with the image that Hilary Clinton is building on her path to the presidency of the USA… an amazing juxtaposition. 

Interesting times indeed.

“THIS” is IT!

Blogged with Flock

been away for a while

and wanting the comfort of known places, I turn to blogging…. of course, to that place of internal communication with you out there.

today it is grey and rainy, so I don’t so readily walk out the door for the usual walk up the hill and into the temple, and to the park searching for the apple blossoms which are about to pop.  Perhaps before my departure I will be able to witness the splendor of spring colors in Japan!

Been instead becoming familiar with the neighborhood… with being a foreigner devoid of external language and awed by the beauty of customs, food, and ways among people.

this is definitely and ethereal place.