December 11, 2003
Gassho,
Quite apart from but concurrently with all this growth and change in A Center for the Practice of Zen Buddhist Meditation, I've been having my own growth and change opportunity.
In 1993, to celebrate my 50th birthday, I went to Assisi, Italy, to visit St. Francis. It was a magical adventure. I had my books on Assisi and on Francis, and I went from place to place, seeing where he lived and where he prayed, being amazed by what people have chosen to do to acknowledge this simple, holy human. Huge basilicas filled with art surround all that remains of Francis' physical existence. I didn't find Francis in those places built to honor him, but I did find him in the woods surrounding Assisi where he walked and prayed, and I felt him in the city itself.
I've returned to Assisi as often as possible since that first pilgrimage. I try to go other places, and I enjoy them, but they're not Assisi. People ask me, "Why Assisi?" I tell them it is because my heart sings in Assisi. My spirit soars in Assisi.
Over the years I've tried to come up with ways to be there more often. Could I buy a little place in the city? Could I go there to write, just renting an apartment? Should I buy a little farmhouse a few kilometers outside the city from which I could walk or bike for my regular "Assisi fix"? Should I find a place big enough to accommodate a few other pilgrims who would enjoy a large room for meditation and yoga? Could I arrange my schedule to spend a few months there each year?
During our Tuscany retreat, I asked folks if they would enjoy visiting Assisi. Everyone said yes. We had visited Siena, San Gimignano, and Firenze (Florence), and I wondered how quiet little Assisi would compare with those gorgeous, art-filled tourist magnets. People fell in love! It's not just Catholics who are drawn to Assisi. People of every faith, formal and informal, love Francis and Clare and their gentle message of peace and good.
As is always the case, I did not want to leave when my stay was over. Then, while checking out of the hotel where I stayed (right off the main plaza, with a stunning view of the farm land below the city), I spoke with the old gentleman who owns the hotel. He and his sister run the place, both their spouses having died. He was lamenting the fact that none of the children in the family want to come back to Assisi to operate the hotel. (Keep in mind this conversation was happening with his very limited English and my even more limited Italian.) The owners are both quite old and obviously tired. I laughed and told him I would be happy to come there and run the hotel. At that very moment, I saw behind him a small sign that I realized means "for sale." I asked him if it was true and he assured me that yes, it is for sale, but it is so much money he doesn't see how anyone will buy it. He told me it costs so much because not only is it a hotel with two restaurants, the church on the corner is part of the property. Well, let me tell you, this bolt out of the blue nearly knocked me flat. In a split second I saw the "International Ecumenical Peace Center of Assisi." I saw people from every faith gathering, in one location, all that has been thought, felt, learned, and taught about peace; a living museum that shows us not just the theory of peace, but the process of peace here and now; not an organization that is against anything, simply a place of peace and good for all to share today; a place where people can practice and pray and learn and share.
It was a huge moment, even for someone who adores expansive views. But how in the world could it ever happen? Fortunately I've learned over these many years of letting life lead the way that if this is to be, the how will become apparent.
I am, of course, telling you this because I would like to hear if this vision is something you are interested in. Let me be very clear: this project has nothing to do with the Zen Center. We are not selling the Monastery to finance the Peace Center. The Peace Center will be financed by donors who are interested in making it happen.
Yesterday I met with a wonderful man, Bob Graham, who is a fundraiser. He offered valuable advice on how to proceed with this project on many fronts. Here are two of his items marked "immediate need."
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Identify individuals and organizations to put up the highest risk money to do the initial set up, getting started, design work, etc. He figured it would take $100,000 to begin with.
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Go to Assisi, talk to the city council, make sure the local folks can see the vision and will support the project.
The second "immediate need" is in place. I plan to be in Assisi from January 15 to March 15 and will attempt to contact all the necessary people. I've been getting introductions to some of the "helpful people to meet," so if you know someone there who might be a good contact, please let me know. The first "immediate need" is off to a good start: We just received a donation of $10,000 to begin the work.
Here is what I am asking of you:
Please let me know if you are interested enough in this project to want to be kept informed. If so, send me your email address, along with your expression of interest, and I will put you in the group to be kept updated. And, please let me know if you are one of the people who will be contributing to the $100,000.00 start up fund. We need donations of $1,000 to $10,000 (or more!) to launch this project.
In the past I have not liked asking people for money and have not been good at it. Bob has helped me see the error of my ways. After spending the afternoon with him, hearing about so much great work being done all over the planet by people who are willing to invest their money where their hearts are, after reading the words of people who talk not about non-profit sector, but about the "Service Profit Sector," who think in terms of using money "to meet the highest commitments of the human family," I find it is getting easier to ask for money.
So, I'm asking.
I will return from Assisi with pictures and a progress report. We're in the process of putting up the website for the Assisi Peace Center. We will be doing some mission/vision statement work, learning about fundraising from the heart, and talking to every person we can find on the planet who is interested in furthering peace. I would love to have you be a part of that "we."
A center for peace in Assisi, Italy, in the home of St. Francis, the home of "peace and good." A center that is for peace and is not against anything. A beautiful place in which people from all over the world can gather simply to be peace. A place for us in which no one is left out of that "us." We can do this. Let's.
In lovingkindness,
Cheri
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