This week, we experimented with a new idea -- propose a "be the change"/"pay it forward" action related to the weekly iJourney reading. While people have brainstormed such an idea before, this particular one came via Amit Dungarani after a CharityFocus retreat on Sep 19, 2010. And the time was ripe for implementation.
Francisco Ramos Stierle (aka Pancho!) initiated this idea, by offering this idea for the week:
"What if this week, we generate some of this loving-kindness and share it with our neighbors? Sit in meditation -- as we do on Wednesdays -- and fill up that gorgeous heart of yours with your best energy, trespass those imaginary walls of isolation, knock on your neighbor's door and connect with that neighbor you have not chatted with in weeks (months?). Like a happy healthy neuron trying to connect with our neighbor neuron, let's generate that love and release it in the form of a hug, a smile, a healthy meal, compassionate listening, loving speech, shining eyes, gardening, a poem, a book, a song, a compliment or any expression of cooperation, collaboration or collectivism -- whatever comes up. Perhaps you want to carry on some of the legacy of an "ancestor neuron" and share that wisdom with your neighbor. [If you want to step it up, look for that neighbor who challenges you the most.]
Do we think/feel we will be able to keep that heart full of love regardless of the response of our neighbor? Are we willing to receive some energy from him/her and process it with the same original intention? How long are we able to keep this flow?
One neuron at a time -- to connect the entire healthy brain of the Earth Community. Imagine!"
If you have any stories to share around this, please share it here.
For the first time, Komi walked in for Wednesday meditation. Heavy built man from Togo, Africa. During the circle of sharing, he shared some heartfelt tidbits. As he was leaving, few of us got into a spirited conversation. "Did you know he was a cop?" "What do you mean 'was a cop?'" "I just quit, man," Komi says. "How come?" "It was just too much." "What was too much?"
"Like, one time, I was on patrol and it was very cold and I saw this young couple snuggled up on the streets. They weren't on drugs, they were drunk, they were just a little out of luck and very cold." After a gulp, Komi adds: "Someone had called the cops so I had to get them out of there. But to where? They were good people. I just couldn't do it."
Pancho asks, "Have you even policed any protests?" "Oh, that is too much. You wear this riot gear, they give you this long baton. Have you seen it?" Just describing the outfit, tears glossed over his eyes.
"They told me that cops don't do what I do. That's social service. So after two years, I quit and am going into social service," he concluded with hearty laugh. To which Pancho added, "Compassion is perhaps the highest form of security."
Vimala Thakar recently passed away. For those that don't know about her, this WIE article does a great job explaining it, and I've also posted the anecdote of how I met her once.
On a slightly tangential note, Harvad just published their Breakthrough Ideas of 2007 and listed "hope" as #5:
Most business leaders shy away from the word "hope." Yet hope has been shown to be the key ingredient of resilience in survivors of traumas ranging from prison camps to natural disasters. So if you are an executive trying to lead an organization through change, know that hope can be a potent force in your favor. And it’s yours to give.
No notes this week, since Madhusudan Aggarwal was our guest speaker about his iJourney to India.
In his talk, Madhu highly recommended watching Baraka.
On Nov 4, 2010 Nipun wrote on A Realm Beyond Measurement, by Andrew Cohen:
We took a break from our usual Wednesday format to have an incredible guest speaker this week -- Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi!
If attendees of the talk would like to share a reflections or notes for the benefit of everyone, please do so below. They will be emailed out to all event participants of last Wednesday.