I want to share some wisdom that was recently shared with me. A friend printed up a couple cards, and the information that they contain really resonates deeply with me. One is some wisdom from Marshall Rosenberg, author of Nonviolent Communication. The other is wisdom from Buddhadasa, a Thai monk.

By the way, there are nonviolent communication courses being offered at locations throughout the Puget Sound region. Northwest Compassionate Communication

Here's the card on Buddhadasa, according to my transcription:

know the heart

know the heart
or essence
of your own
spirituality,
and encourage others
to know theirs.

share with others
at deeper levels,
don't dwell on the
differences,
recognize those things
held in common
and build on that

work together to
"drag humanity out from
under the power of
materialism."

sharings from
buddhadasa

servant of the
buddha

a thai monk

The Aligning of the Souls gathering was great. Many stories, prayers - and jokes - were shared amongst the participants. The gathering kicked off last night (Wednesday night) with a potluck meal and the sharing of prayers and stories relating to the topic of healing and peace in the wake of the horrible events of September 11, 2001. Some people sang songs or read poems, some people told stories and shared wisdom, everyone listened.

This morning the gathering continued at dawn (Thursday morning, September 11, 2008) with the commencement of a day long continuous heart beat drum rhythm. We prayed for peace and healing as the cool and foggy air and mist of dawn gradually gave way to a brilliantly blue sunny and cloudless September Eleventh day. A ceremonial fire was lit in a very special outdoor fire place. The fire burned throughout the day, carefully observed, attended and listened to.

You're invited to a potluck gathering to welcome the Peace Walkers as they travel through Olympia toward their final destination at Ground Zero, Bangor Kitsap Naval Submarine Base.

Gather Thursday, August 7th, 2008 at 6 pm at Tibor's. To get to Tibor's house, head out on Mud Bay Road and turn left on Delphi. Follow Delphi to 40th St and turn right. Tibor's house is the second house on the left, with an earth flag in the yard. If you have trouble finding it, call Gilberto and Senji's cell phone - (206) 356-4362.

It's a potluck, and Peace Walkers are usually pretty hungry, so bring enough to share. [But don't let a lack of bringing food stop you from going. I am sure there will be enough if everyone who can bring something does.]

Come on out, whether you're a long time supporter, or if you're just curious and you want to learn more about the problem of nuclear weapons or peace walking in general. I have word that one of the peace walkers will give a talk. If you're nice you might even be able to ask a question.

peace, maybe I'll see you there.

p.s. sorry for the short notice

Think of Future Generations - The Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama on the Duty to Earth and the Human Family

Via Harper's Magazine [linked]:


Bsod-nams-rgya-mtsho. The Three-Deity Mandala of Auspicious Beginning.

If humankind continues to approach its problems considering only temporary expediency, future generations will have to face tremendous difficulties. The global population is increasing, and our resources are being rapidly depleted. Look at the trees, for example. No one knows exactly what adverse effects massive deforestation will have on the climate, the soil, and global ecology as a whole. We are facing problems because people are concentrating only on their short-term, selfish interests, not thinking of the entire human family. They are not thinking of the earth and the long-term effects on universal life as a whole. If we of the present generation do not think about these now, future generations may not be able to cope with them.

–H.H. Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, A Human Approach to World Peace (2006)

www.dalailama.com [official site]