thanksgiving in july

it occurred to me over the last few days- in spite of all of my complaining that i am a very lucky person. that’s pretty much the end of my post. or it should be. there isn’t a day that goes by that i am not grateful for all that i have- not just materialistic- but contentment with family (for the most part) and friends and with the world at large. i am making the attempt to truly understand the world situation and the debacle that has put america on the brink of total collapse- and i am attempting to become at peace with the information that this planet is collapsing as a whole. now, i say attempt because it isn’t quite that easy. i am digging in and going for enlightenment- and that’s the next path on my life’s journey.

many folks know about the buddhist philosophy that life is in flux and nothing is permanent. when you truly look at the bigger picture- and you realize that humans have ultimately caused their own demise (as well as countless other species) of a planet that is probably billions of years old- it’s quite a bit to take in. it has taken me a long while to parse through my thoughts because in a short span of time- my whole world was turned upside down. my entire belief system and the way i lived my life- was gone. i decided to turn to buddhist tenets as a way to bring peace to myself. by learning about the four noble truths and the eightfold path- i opened my mind to peace. now, that’s not to say i am a buddhist. nope. i am not falling into the category of ‘religion’ or labels.

i am a pilgrim seeking nirvana

pilgrim seeking truth
no light found only darkness-
bittersweet summer.

so- here i am trying to change the world and save humanity- but i have to start with me.  i have no one to pray to or abdicate responsibility to- it’s just me.  i have to look myself in the mirror every day and i have to pick myself back up when i fall.  i can see why the monotheistic religions are so popular.

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Teaching, Learning, People, Cultures, Human Nature

As soon as I arrived in San Francisco and went to the first event about The Longest Walk I started to meet people and I started to learn new things. In such a venue, it’s easy to meet up with folks. After all, we’re all there for the event and there is a lot to break the ice with. “Where are you from?”, “Why are you here?”, “How did you find out about it?”, “What’s your name?”

The room that first night at the pot luck kick off dinner was buzzing to be sure. As human nature and the dynamics of such a potentially history making event would have it, people got involved in many types of conversations from the petty mindless talk to serious global problems and events.

I met many people that first night and saw them the next days at the concerts and fund raisers. Then we met again on the ferry boat to Alcatraz Island for the early morning sunrise spiritual ceremony. To see the people you don’t really know awake in the evening is one thing, but to see them early in the morning with the sleep barely washed out of their eyes is something else.

As time went on and the Walk started, we’d all get to see each other often in this early morning unwashed state. We’d even have to be exposed to each others morning breath at times, that’s how close we became while on the Walk.

The usual day would begin at 5:00 a.m. or so. Finding a bathroom was first and foremost, then break down the tents and stow the gear in the backpacks. Breakfast from the converted school bus turned kitchen and the organizational “circle” before the actual walking started for the day. All before 7:00 a.m. The walkers would depart following the Eagle feathered staff and the drumbeat.

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spadoman update

our co-conspirator- i mean co-blogger- spadoman is currently walking “…for peace and justice, I am walking to clean up mother earth, I am walking for all life, which is sacred, and I am trying to make a difference. I will spend the rest of my life on this endeavor, even long after the walk is over.”

i believe the southern group of walkers is currently in arizona. spadoman does walk a bit but he also drives support vehicles and cooks and whatnot. whatever the folks need done. the recent spate of illnesses plaguing america didn’t leave him out either and he is recovering from bronchitis- but emailed to say he is better. this is what he had to say about the walk:

“This spiritual walk is amazing. The most humbling experience of my life. I am on the elders counsel and have assumed the duties as transportation coordinator, like I did in the movie business, but with out the 4 grand per week paychecks. My eyes are being open to many more concerns. More than you mention. The greedy corporations are really killing mother earth. As we go through indian reservations, the people talk to us and tell us of their problems. It isn’t the usual white man taking our land, and although that still exists, it is the poisoning of the land with chemicals, the youth that have no where to turn and no direction and buy into the corporate drug and crime life of gangs. the people are helpless as they are abandoned here in these desolate parts of america. What happens to these people happens to all of us. never before have i felt so together with people of color. All life is sacred is the theme and is never forgotten. This is for all humanity, not just for indians. We are writing a manifesto to deliver to washington, dc when we get there in july. i will be instrumental in this writing and am so honored to do so. I went to Cesar Chavez’s national United farm Worker hedquarters and it was such an honor to be there. I have made many new friends from around the country and around the world.”Check out some of the blog articles and pictures at:

longestwalk.org

truthout recently covered the walk as well- check it out here

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