More Pictures

In Palestine

digging for the olive tree

made me chuckle

only entrance to the Church of the Navtivity

some of the 6th century wood carving all over the church

on an altar underneath the church

Downtown Bethlehem

a mosque in Bethlehem

a sculpture in a Bethlehem tourist center
a powerful commentary on the place of women
in their society

a corner of the wall between Palestine and Israel

the wall separating Israel and Palestine

a garden and playground on the grounds of
the Palestine Conflict Resolution Center
next to the wall

Seeds of Hope

Bethlehem is a city we all know.  It is known for birthing of hope and possibility.  What most may not know is that it is located in Palestine, beyond a concrete wall that divides Israelis and Palestinians.

We were required to pass through an Israel armed check point to enter the West Bank where Bethlehem is located.  A short drive from Jerusalem, Bethlehem is home to 180,000 people, the majority are Palestinian Christians.  The sites in Bethlehem honor the place where Jesus was born, where Rachel was buried and where Greek Orthodox Christians still celebrate mass.

We began by driving out of the main part of the city to a field that was tilled and unplanted. In the distance a shepherd with a weathered face tended a dozen sheep on the rocky hillside.  He looked like what I imagined the shepherds in the bible would have looked like.  We walked in the rain, over the rocky, muddy ground and gathered with several local men.  We were there to plant the first olive tree in this field.

Olive trees are unique because the take many years to bare fruit, then produce fruit for many, many years.  The oil from these trees is clear and fragrant and can be sold.  The olives are cured and sold too. The wood from the trees is used to create artisan pieces that are also sold mainly to tourists.  So this tree is the beginning of a source of sustenance for people who have access to very little here because of the occupation of Israel.

We dug and dug, then planted and watered.  Then we blessed the tree, giving thanks for its life and for the earth and for the rain.  We chanted and offered blessings to our hosts who have lived on this land, but have been restricted from building on it and using it in ways that would help them because of the occupation of Israel.  We brought a measure of hope to them by planting this tree.

what the tree will see as it grows and offers its fruit

the men whose families own the land

After lunch we traveled to the heart of Bethlehem and toured the Church of the Nativity.  This old 6th century church was scaffolded for repairs which only added to the cacophony inside with hundreds of other people also clamoring to walk the single stair case to the cave below to see where Jesus was thought to have been born.

Our last visit was to the Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center where we met with Mr. Zoughbi, its director.  This was the most moving experience of the day. Not just because he told us of all the hardships Palestinians face every day because of the occupation by Israel and the 25 foot wall constructed that we could see directly behind his office building. Not just because 80% of the wall is on Palestinian land and limits and often cuts-off access of Palestinians to jobs and resources. Not just because we learned that 80% of the aquifers are beyond the wall and every week or every other week Palestinians have to wait for Israel to deliver water to them.  Not just because this 470 mile wall is not just a physical wall but a psychological wall too.  This visit was moving and emotional because of the hope Mr. Zoughbi still has in the possibility that the children who come to playground there will see peace and a unified country.

We circled around Mr. Zoughbi, layed our hands on him and blessed him. Fifty ministers chanted and prayed for this man, for his center for his people for this country and for ourselves, because any loss is a loss for all humanity.  As we left I stood before the towering gray wall, painted with messages of peace, hope, and frustration and could no longer hold back tears.  Sobbing I felt the pain of all people - Palestinians, Israelis, Arabs, Jews, Christians, Iraqis, Afghanis, Blacks and all people who have been oppressed.  I sobbed for the reality that we humans are capable of so much harm to one another.  I cried for all the frustrated efforts of all of us who want peace.  

Then I remembered the tree we planted and I cried in anticipation that our prayers, our blessings, our seeds of hope will actually change the world.  Indeed it already has. My world, Mr. Zoughbi's world, our group's world and your world is forever changed.  

Gateway to the Circle of Love

Today we explored the site of the Last Supper, King David's Tomb and the location where Jesus was imprisoned before his trial and crucifixion.  These places are movable.  What?  According to archeologists and historians, over the hundreds of years these places were not where they are today.  Many different wars, discoveries and scientific verifications have placed the room of the Last Supper in several locations, the same with King David's tomb and where Jesus was imprisoned.  And it is likely over time these places will "move" again.

For me it's not important that I am standing in the room, or the cell or the tomb.  What moves me is the remembrance and presence with which I open my heart to the meanings of these places, wherever they are today.

During the Last Supper, Jesus was not just sharing a meal he was sharing nourishment. The nourishment of  that which is universal - that we all share - love, companionship, sacredness, connection, reverence, liberation, healing, respect, trust and truth.  This Soul Food - bread for our body and wine for our heart, connects body and soul and in both the Christian and Jewish traditions, and provides an opportunity to connect with that which is universal.

Connecting to the universal message in the teachings of these places, in the stories and events that birthed from here I am attending to what is "sparked in my chest."  Sufi's invite us to be conscious of God.  If I am conscious of God then I am present.  Divine qualities are only able to flow in the present moment.  In being conscious of the Divine I/we are released from that which is conditioned in us - fear, judgement, expectation, agenda, ego.

In this presence and consciousness of God, I listen.  What do I hear?  A Sufi story talks of a man longing for connection with God, Allah, and he prayed constantly, daily - and then was asked "Do you ever get an answer?"  Upon considering this question, he stopped praying because he did not believe he was getting an answer from Allah.  A Sufi spirit prophet came to him and asked why he had stopped praying. Upon hearing the man's answer the spirit prophet explained that our anguished inner longing for connection with God is God's reply to us - it is our connection to God.

I seek this connection, this authentic community of life.  I seek what Rumi calls the Circle of Love.  The gateway to this Circle of Love is communion with others who we give and receive Love (unconditionally); who we can trust and be vulnerable with; and who loves and seeks truth (in whatever manifestation it comes).

How can I offer, receive, cultivate and recognize the Circle of Love when it is present?  How can I connect to God/Divine and live within this Circle of love.  The good news is that this is a compassionate lifelong awareness that requires spiritual practices.  The good news is that we human's were made to be asleep a good part of the time, so that might awaken to this beauty.  And in this awakening we find joy in remembering, again!!

May we all continue to long for connection to the Divine in whatever form, by whatever name so that we might awaken once again to and with compassion, love, trust and truth, within the Circle of Love.

"God is Great"

going into the women's side of King David's Tomb

Inside Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu - above where Jesus was imprisoned

where Jesus was imprisoned

City of David

All the Same Color?

Jerusalem - 9:00pm

"We are entering Israeli air space. Everyone must stay in their seats until we land." The French accented voice announced over the intercom as we approached Tel Aviv.  Curious? Stay in our seats in Israeli air space?  How would Israel know if I didn't?

It felt like an extremely long approach and not just because I was anxious to arrive.  It felt like we were never going to descend below the clouds.  What did that mean?  Was I letting expectations come in?  Were the clouds to remind me to know that all is not clear and to wait for clarity?  I was getting an energetic sense that we were very near Israel, but I couldn't see any land.  Then I realized that I couldn't see land because we were over water.  Hmmm.... water not land.....flowing not ground....

We approached Israel, not from land but from the Mediterranean.  Then I saw the coast of Israel and my breath stopped for a minute.  "Wow!" was all I could say in my sleep deprived stupor.  I was really here!!

As we flew over the land I searched the landscape for anything that would "look" like Israel, or Tel Aviv.  Then I noticed that every building, every high rise, every low rise and every building under construction was the same color - light sand stone. Various shapes of buildings, different clusters of buildings in circles and geometrics, but all the same color.  In a land where resides the shapes, colors and beliefs of three of the world's major faiths, as well as so many other international people and ideas, I find it especially curious that all the buildings are the same color.  Building codes I have been told, but I will find out more.   

Can we present a certain belief, ideology or opinion outwardly when underneath that ideology or belief is more complicated, undeveloped and unclear?  Is it incongruent, lacking integrity or is it human?  Is it what we do to work out our beliefs - presenting them, being and receiving the mirror of others' responses, then refining as we go?

ATL

Waiting in the Atlanta airport for my next flight, I noticed not just the myriad of people from all over the world, speaking languages I couldn't easily identify, but the many, many US military personnel in
this international terminal. Where were they all going to? Afghanistan, Germany, some place else.....? Some guys (they were all guys) looked older, and not knowing anything about what the strips and bars on their sleeves meant, I assumed they were higher rank than the younger soldiers in their company.

Two young men caught my attention. They were not in the company of older soldiers and I watched them walk through the terminal to the food court, but it was clear these young men were new recruits. They seemed they were trying really hard not to reveal the "deer in the headlights" look in their eyes that I could see immediately. They walked with purpose and with an intentional confidence that they were
probably told to exhibit. Their camouflage backpacks matched their uniforms and I swear I could still see the creases still in them.

Mixed emotions came over me. These guys are someone's sons, maybe someone's brothers or someone else's boyfriends - going off to God-knows where for the first time. I was humbled with gratitude for their desire to serve in whatever part of the world they were bound for. At the same time, I was concerned for them, hoping and praying that whoever was to meet them on the other end of their trip would be able to guide them through this life changing transition they were on.

To all our troops, all over the world, from every country. May your time be short in whatever conflict you are engaged. May Peace Prevail On Earth.

....it has begun......

With my Human Development mid-term complete and submitted, I realize that my pilgrimage to Israel-Palestine has begun.  I am grateful that I have been able to stay on task with all the things I have needed to do in preparation for this trip - packing, sorting, organizing, more packing, verifying, studying, eating, and sleeping (sometimes).

Now, there is very little to "do" between now and my departure ... my trip has really begun....

One of the things that I am intending on this trip is to BE wherever I am.  I honestly have no expectations. Even looking at the amazing itinerary, I know plans always have to be flexible.  One of my teachers, Betty Goodreau, taught me to have no agendas even if they are written down.

So, I am Being or attempting to at least be more mindful of everything now....breathing as often as I can remember....trusting myself and my preparation ....enjoying the building excitement and anxiety (anxiety will help keep me aware in ways that will keep me safe)....and holding all the intentions and prayers that have been gifted to me to carry.

Until later....it's off to BE - I hope you BE too J