Holding It All…

Over the last couple of days I have immersed myself in the NOVA series called The Elegant Universe, and capped it off with a recent episode entitled The Fabric of the Cosmos, all about String Theory and Quantum Mechanics, as intrepreted in Brian Greene’s book by the same name.  Oh m’gosh, do we live in a fantastic universe! I don’t want to imply that I understand this really, but Greene presents an accessible, popular version that is tantalizing.

Whether or not these notions turn out to be the long sought “Theory of Everything,”  I am enthralled by these considerations – by the uncertainty, by the mind-stretching, usual reality-blowing implications of what is currently our best guess at the nature of reality operating all around us, and yes, within us!

Another thing that intrigues me is the link to the mystical and spiritual dimensions.  Last weekend, I listened to Hameed Ali, aka A. H. Almaas, author of numerous spiritual books, presenting some of his current work.  Perhaps, or perhaps not, coincidentally, the deepest dimensions of reality experienced by Ali, (and the Buddha as well) have strong similarities to the views emerging in cutting edge quantum physics. I am inclined to think it is no coincidence.  Our nature, indeed the nature of everything, is a mysterious, self-generating, dynamic flow, with no end…

I have one more weekend to go, and am very much looking forward to the second session, working with fellow students, using the practice of Inquiry, continuing to explore our own inner lives as we are led on a journey to explore the deepest nature of reality.

In the interim between the two sessions, Mike and I have been staying in a lovely home on a sweet, small island in the Canadian waters between Vancouver and Nanaimo, called Gabriola.  It has been a delicious few days, and an anniversary (our 13th last week!) get-away to remember for years to come.  What privilege, what luxury we are experiencing and sharing.

We have met to walk and inquire with friends, have had fine food, (a wood-fire pizza of prociutto, sage, brie, and sun-dried tomatoes, oh my goodness), strenuous workouts in a great little gym; we have enjoyed a warm fire, some beautiful and some blustery weather – both rich to experience, and the two cats, Mitoche and Moxie, that Mike is here to sit, (as well as the house. while the owners vacation in Mexico).  Gracie is a feral cat that the owners also feed, and protect from a big, bold Tom, called Mango Pickles

We watched the news one evening, and were both glad, afterwards, that we do not have a TV.  Hearing that the high-up executives of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are being given whalloping big bonuses after ripping off the American people to the tune of billions and billions and getting bailed out by the same, that the Occupy movements are being forcefully evicted in many places — and that we are no closer to resolving the state of growing inequity so plaguing our times, learning that the Harper government is pressing ahead to build the Enbridge Pipeline) the Canadian equivalent of the Keystone XL, meanwhile promoting farmed salmon aquaculture even as they are denying and repressing the tests revealing ISA in BC waters, the same lethal virus that has devastated wild and farmed salmon around the world, and so on…were a radical jolt to the rest and respite, peaceful and probing places.

I have been hanging out — relishing the quiet of this island abode; the clean, crispness of the November air, the slanty, golden light, the rasberries and curly kale still for gathering in the garden; the multi-colored stones on the beach cast against the slippery kelp and the red and gold leaves… and I am filled with gratitude for all the people who are risking their lives and livelihoods that the world be a safer, saner, more just and healthy place…

Taken all together, the above could have a tendency to be crazy-making, stultifying, numbing… at the very least confusing, and in some ways deeply disturbing.  In other ways, this jumble of privilege and suffering, inner and outer, peaceful and revolutionary, is a call to Hold It All, as the title of this piece says; to realize there is no way to understand or manage what is unfolding…, no way to ’fix’ the problems or even to know what would be ‘best’ for the whole situation, if there were such a thing.

I, and we all, have, as always, the challenge and opportunity to simply be with, sit quietly, in mindfulness, with compassion, gratitude, humilty, to allow and accept.  Then to listen to the inner voice, the call or sense of guidance, toward the action that, on our part, may be called for, appropriate, or simply offered.

Jill Schroder is the author of BECOMING: Journeying Toward Authenticity. Check the website for a sample chapter, or see the reviews to get a flavor for the volume.

How We 99% Can Help…

I was down at the Vancouver Art Gallery Occupy Vancouver site last Friday for some time, and had the opportunity to attend a General Assembly (GA), which is held each day at 1:00 (and again at 7 in the evening as well), for an hour.  It was quite cold and pounding rain at times, but even so, there were many people  and lots of activity on the site.

Facilitation of the GA was shared, and a budding conflict between a old timer (who spoke and looked as though he’d been engaged non-stop since Clayoquot Sound logging protests), and a young participant who had some dissenting opinions, was handled well.  I was moved and impressed at the range of people who had come, and the degree of caring and concern for the causes the Occupy movements are addressing. We heard from each person about what brought them there, and what they saw as pressing issues for the coming days, how to carry the movement forward and keep it peaceful.

Afterwards there were meetings about how to reach out to the larger community –the 99%.  A big sign was there to remind us all that the very rich, the top 1 %,  have influence and power, and control policy making and governments, frequently to the great disadvantage of the remaining 99%.  But 99% is a lot of people and this is why I am writing today.  This is a great opportunity and responsibility, in my opinion.

More about this site:  here is the Soup Kitchen. It was well stocked, and I love the sign: This Is What Democracy Tastes Like.  People were manning it, and serving themselves food.  I was impressed at how much organization and effort has obviously been put into this, and the other tents on the site.

There was a well stocked First Aid tent, and another one where people could go to get free materials, socks, hats, pants, clothes of all sorts, and large covered area where people were gathered and singing and talking.

After the GA, I went to the meditation tent. Periodically someone walked through the crowd and announced that there is ongoing meditation and everyone is welcome to come and add their peace, awareness, and support to what is going on in hundreds of sites around the world.

There was also a tent called “The Peoples’ Lovely Library” which was well  stocked and frequented.

Then there were many tents where people were living. There was a, what seemed to be respectful, non-obtrusive, police and fire presence, and an onsite set of security and self-monitoring as well.

So why am I writing about this?  Short answer: It touches me deeply.

Only a small percentage of the 99% have the motivation and grit to show up and stay present to voice the issues of gross inequity, the greed and dominance of corporations, and the excesses of unregulated capitalism that these Occupy Movements are bringing forward. These people, in my opinion, are courageous and most deserving of our support.  They are standing up and investing their time and energy for a saner, kinder, more just and balanced world.

What could this support look like?   You could

1. take yourself down to a site near you, stand by in support, and see with your own eyes what’s happening;
2. speak to the people there and listen to their experience and concerns, and share yours;
3. ask what is needed at the various locations and go get it, or give it;
4. attend a General Assembly and show support with your presence and input;
5. offer a workshop — communication, facilitation, conflict resolution, peaceful resistance; citizen action…or other skills that would help. This  is welcome and needed;
6. take some time in the meditation tent, or on your own, to add your psychic energy…  many people believe that meditation and meditators have a beneficial (measurable) effect;
7. write a letter to the editor;
8. go with your kids, nieces, nephews… to a site and tell them what it’s about;
9. read on the internet about the worldwide movement and talk to friends and strangers about it;
10. ??? add your own ideas and actions… there’s no limit.  One thing for sure, it will be rewarding and transformational, I firmly believe.

• Your comments and experience are most welcome.

Jill Schroder is the author of BECOMING: Journeying Toward Authenticity. Check the website for a sample chapter, or see the reviews to get a flavor for the volume.

Urgent and Exciting!

       The post could also be called Connecting the Dots, or What Can We Do?  In it I want to share my enthusiasm, concern, excitement, for what’s happening, as well as some awesome and inspiring links relating to these pressing issues. I also urge you to engage with these movements in any ways you see fit.

       In case you choose not to read further, I offer this incredible musical, flash-fire graphical collage of Billy Joel’s song, We Didn’t Dtart the Fire, an homage to the 40 years of history since Joel’s birth.  It’s a masterpiece, and provides a bit of context for what follows.

       Here, then, as I see it, are some of the major events and issues building around us:

     •  the global Occupy Revolution

     •  the increasing urgency of addressing climate change now

     •  the pending decision by Obama regarding the Keystone XL Pipeline

     •  the Canadian government’s backing of the Tar Sands, the Enbridge Pipeline and oil tankers down the pristine BC north coast

     •  the devastating implications of wealthy individual’s and corporations’ control of our economies, lives, governments. elected officials…

     •  the expanding gap between the wealthiest and the poorest, especially in the US but also in Canada and elsewhere

     •  the imminent financial crisis in the US, Europe and beyond

       I was going to present just a couple, try to ‘keep it simple,’ but they are so clearly all linked and interconnected, we must address the whole complex.   It seems undeniable that civilization, as we have known it, is changing, and has to change, for better or for worse.  We cannot go on with ‘business as usual.  We are part of making the choice about what the future will look like and hold.   Maybe this is all related to the approach of 2012, with its possibility of radical (meaning fundamental) transformation. Who knows!  But things are really popping!

       Here are some quotes, links, and images.  Take your pick.  But do pick and do act.

       Warm regards, blessings, love, hope, joy, gratitude, courage, wisdom, and be sure to read through to the end for a big smile,

Jill

Here are some selected thoughts and links related to what’s popping (order not

significant ).  Most links have suggestions for actions you can take.

1. The Occupy Movement is Too Big to Fail  Here’s hoping!  Have a look.
2. Momentum is building to convince Obama to reject the Keystone XL Pipeline that would take the dirty, tar sands oil across the middle of the US. Check this link and pass it on.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid recently wrote a letter to Secretary of State Clinton, expressing deep concerns over Keystone XL. He said that it would be “wiser to invest instead in job-creating clean energy projects.”   Could be good news, eh?
3. Michael Moore (he’s radical, for sure, but one of my heros), speaks of how the Occupy movement is spreading.  ”… 59% of the U.S. (according to the latest poll) is already in support of the Occupy movement… I know of no other cause in my lifetime that has exploded this fast and achieved majority support this quickly. There is much more to be done, and I invite and encourage every single one of you to do what you can to “Occupy” your towns so that the message is heard loud and clear by the banks and corporations: “This is OUR country, WE are the people — and a corporation is not a person.” The richest 400 Americans having more than 150 million Americans combined is not only immoral and undemocratic, it is an act of violence. It kills people, here and abroad. Whether it’s the $2 billion a week we throw away on the U.S. war in Afghanistan, or the 45,000 Americans who die every year because they lack adequate health insurance, the days of Greed are going to come to an end because The People have had it. “
4. In the past 30 years, 96% of the growth of average incomes in the US have gone to the richest 10% of the country. Here’s a picture of the past and present inequities.
5. Adbusters is really on the ground in the Occupy movement.  It’s inspiring.
6. As protests against financial power sweep the world, science may have confirmed the protesters’ worst fears.An analysis of the relationships between 43,000 transnational corporations has identified a relatively small group of companies, mainly banks, with disproportionate power over the global economy… Here’s the detail.  Not pretty.
7. Check out Lead Now, an exciting new Canadian, Avaaz-like group.  They are on to the big movements, and let you join in, from your seat at home, or in real time.  They’re working hard on the Tar Sands, the Pipe Line and the Occupy movement.
8. Warren Buffet has some suggestions to ‘fix’ congress and the economy.  Bet they would work!  I checked in out on Snopes, and it’s true that these are from him.

• Finally, consider these actions as well, for all sentient beings and the planet:
• - Pray or meditate
• - Vision: what would we like to see?
• - Use our social capital, especially those of us who are middle class and up
• - Mobilize our friends, church, associations, etc. for statements of solidarity, prayers, letters to politicians
• - Attend the Occupy events near you, especially in nice clothes.
• - Offer facilitation services

And from the Onion, this final piece of news.  I laughed and laughed.  I hope you do too   Laughing is healing and contagious!

Jill Schroder is the author of BECOMING: Journeying Toward Authenticity. Check the website for a sample chapter, or see the reviews to get a flavor for the volume.

Thanksgiving and Gratitude

This past weekend Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving.  It has taken me a while to accept the second weekend in October as the date for this fine event, but I have come to feel that the season of harvest fullness is every bit as appropriate, no, actually much more appropriate, than dreary and soggy, late November!  We had a lovely gathering, and a delicious meal.

What are you grateful for?  For me the list is endless (and not diminished by the acknowledgement of concurrent suffering and ignorance in the world, though at times it is a challenge to hold them both).

A few posts have come my way recently that jolted me into awe and appreciation, and I would like to share them with you.

My dear brother, Jim, sent along this first one.  Here’s the link.  It’s a TEDx talk by Louie Schwartzberg  called Gratitude.  His award winning, time-lapse photography will take your breath away.  The images and comments underscore our links to the natural world, our interconnectedness, and represent pure beauty.  A child and an old man talk to us as well, and invite us to experience fully and deeply the enormous number of gifts we receive each unique day, and then to let our appreciation ripple out as a blessing on others!  I love watching this and I hope you do too.  (Also check out this trailer for his film Wings of Life: A love story that feeds the earth — about earth’s unsung pollinators.)

Moni, my Austrian daughter-in-law, sent this one along.  Most of have two legs and arms and don’t feel all that moved by our bodies!  I enjoyed the pure movement of this duet, and then sensing my own arms and legs, feeling gratitude and presence — for my own unsung limbs and our incredible capacity for movement, healing, for our journeys of becoming.  I hope you do too!

What a grand adventure our lives are! How often are we in touch with this, with celebration, gratitude, wonder and awe?  This is the one life we’ve been given.  And this is the only today. And this is right now.

Jill Schroder is the author of BECOMING: Journeying Toward Authenticity. Check the website for a sample chapter, or see the reviews to get a flavor for the volume.

Fathers

Today is my dad’s birthday.  He would have been 97.  He died when he was 61. (My mom told me she said, to herself, over and over, after becoming a widow at 59, “61 is just too young.”

My dad died of a heart attack while visiting friends at their ranch, miles and miles from his Tulsa, Oklahoma home.  The helicopter they called never came, and the ambulance took ages.  He had forgotten to take along his nitroglycerin.  These are only a couple of the several oddities around my father’s death.  And it makes me appreciate my amazing good fortune and the incredible care I received when I had my stroke, eight weeks ago tomorrow.

Fact is, Joe Kremer is gone now.  He was a bright light in my life, and in the lives of many other people as well.  After my dad died it was not long until the cards, letters, and calls started pouring in.  From family and close friends, of course.  But we were blown away by the other people who got in touch…people we didn’t even know he knew, like the little old lady elevator operator at his office building, and the gas station attendant at the local filling station!  They wrote how his smile and warmth had often been a real pick-up in their day, about his friendliness and good nature, how they were always gladdened when they saw him coming… The anecdotes were many, eye-opening, and heart warming. He made a beautiful, warm, positive difference in many people’s lives.

One of my fondest memories is of my dad taking my hand, then scooping me up in his arms and heading out into the ocean, beyond the breakers.  What an experience — it is impressed indelibly on my soul — the support, the safety, the adventure, the closeness, the thrill, the beauty…

The kicker is the startling juxtaposition of all this to Joe’s own perception of his life.  One of the essays in BECOMING is called Finding My Niche (pg. 36).  It relates to our connection with our fathers, and invites reflection on their ‘unfinished business’.

In contrast to the stories above, my dad often felt as though he had ‘wasted his life.’  He lived with a sense that he never ‘found his niche’, a meaningful way to use his potential, to make a difference!

In the essay I explore how noticing this ‘unfinished business’, this ongoing and unresolved issue in my father’s life, gave me a jolt, because I realized I was living out the same pattern to some degree in mine.  Revisiting the issue now, after the stroke, brings new dimensions, poignancy, and, happily, softness and acceptance.

I have found it most fruitful to look at the challenges my parents faced, the issues they dealt with, in particular the ongoing ones, and then to explore resonances in my own life. Maybe this is true for you as well. On this 45th anniversery of my dad’s death, I offer these questions for your consideration:

What do you perceive as your father’s ‘unfinished business’? What role did and does this issue play in your life?  How did his choices around this challenge affect your life?  To what degree have you made the same, and/or different choices?  What would you tell your children, or a young person, about what you learned, or are learning?

Jill Schroder is the author of BECOMING: Journeying Toward Authenticity. Check the website for a sample chapter, or see the reviews to get a flavor for the volume.