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Message from Cheri - June 2007
Greetings, This will perhaps come as no surprise: I have another Really Good Idea. Here it is, with a little background explanation. I have observed that peace is a very hard sell. We learned that fact when we came up with the Really Good Idea of an international peace center in Assisi, Italy. The lack of interest was truly impressive. I could see a “Why Assisi?” reaction, but very close to no reaction at all? Not a lot of curiosity, very few opinions, not even helpful suggestions or better ideas. Nada. The only idea we’ve had that netted less response was the one about building a new meditation hall. It was tempting to take it personally, thinking it was something about the way we were presenting peace as an expression of practice. Fortunately, I was saved from that reaction by realizing that some of the biggest lights in the world of spirituality and religion have tried their hand at whipping up some interest in peace and soon gave it up. In fact, the phenomenon is now gaining national attention. Those who wonder about such things are wondering why four years into a very unpopular war there is so little outcry against it. Remember the Vietnam era? Now, I really don’t have any idea why there’s so little anti-war noise, but I have long speculated that the general lack of interest in peace is a result of a lack of understanding about what peace is. Absence of war, yes, we can all understand that, but what in the heck is peace all by itself? Most of us know the experience of peace for ourselves. “I want to be at peace with that situation.” “I felt so peaceful.” “I want more peace in my life.” But there is a sense that peace is something that just happens, and we’re not sure how or why. External forces determine whether or not I’m peaceful. My nemesis at work leaves and I feel a sense of peace. I spend two weeks on a quiet beach and life is peaceful. That’s true, isn’t it? As we like to say, “Peace is what’s there when you stop doing everything else.” What’s not true is that we have to wait for something to fall away in order to experience peace. Here’s the Really Good Idea: I decided at the beginning of 2007 that I was going to take 2008 “off.” All that means is that I would be traveling less. As an alternative to going to the same places I always go to teach, I would stay home in Calaveras County and regularly make little forays out for what I’m calling “barnstorming” tours. We would choose a particular part of the country, maybe dividing the 48 states into 8 sections, and with help and suggestions from Sangha in those sections, arrange evening talks in 7 or 8 medium-size cities. This way I could visit with folks I wouldn’t otherwise get to meet. Penny and Mickey, who head the Peace Project, suggested we make it a “peace-storming” tour, following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. Before going to an area of the country, we will ask Sangha there to suggest a group or organization that is doing good work but is perhaps short on cash and needs assistance with physical tasks. As I go to various cities, I will tell folks about our plans to assist that group. Then all who wish to participate will gather, and, to end our peace-storming tour in that area, we will have a one-week work retreat serving that group. Whatever they need done, we will do. Clean, paint, send out flyers, build a playground—they pick, we do. We will do this in silent working meditation practice, just as we would at the Monastery or Carmel. We will also have group processing in the evenings, some mini-workshops for focus—our standard, mindful good time. We will do this as an expression of peace—living peacefully together, assisting and supporting one another, offering lovingkindness, being of service. We would offer this as an example of how we can be, peacefully, with one another. The Peace Project, the Virtual Peace Center, the Peace Center in Assisi, Italy, the Zen Monastery Peace Center are all meant to be examples of what is possible for us when we live together in awareness. When our hearts are open, when we’re present to life as is, we have no interest in being any way other than peace-filled. I would really like to hear from you about this idea. Is it something that interests you, would you want to participate, do you have an organization that comes to mind? We’re off to Zambia in just a few days. So much excitement is brewing that we’re barely able to contain ourselves. Of course, Africa is a land of surprises, and we make every effort not to let excitement and anticipation cloud our awareness that ANYTHING can happen. That said, we are so hopeful and optimistic about
This is a partial list of what we hope to accomplish. Very ambitious and absolutely do-able. So, please read the blog and tell friends and relatives who might be interested in this work to join in as well. In fact, if you could send out a notice to those loved ones, we would appreciate it. We never know for whom this work might be a perfect match. Also, we’re going to make every effort to do the radio show while we’re there so tune in for that as well. This time we will be there long enough that we can give you Kantolomba updates and still have plenty of time for general practice discussions. A Reminder: We will be sending an email announcing the “Making a Change for Good” email class beginning August 1, ending August 30. If you want to participate, follow the directions in the email and sign up as soon as possible. Don’t miss the dates if this is something you want to do. One more word on peace: Here is a “Peace Practice” from the Virtual Peace Center. I hope you will practice it, and I hope you enjoy it. “Here is my wish for you and every other child, woman, and man on the face of the earth: Spend one week saying only kind, caring things to yourself. Say thank you at least ten times an hour—direct five toward yourself and five to the world at large. Compliment yourself (and others) each time an effort is made. Notice all the wonderful qualities and characteristics about yourself and those around you. One week. You will never go back. And your whole life will be a glorious meditation.” Take very good care of yourself.
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