Dear Friends, I hope this finds you healthy in body, mind, and spirit. Although the acupuncture clinic is closed due to COVID-19, I am still here to support you and this community and am excited to offer new opportunities for optimizing your health during this challenging time. While I am unable to offer acupuncture at …
Telehealth Consultations and Community Meditation with Jordan Van Voast, L.Ac. Read More »
Dear CommuniChi patrons and friends, We are living through an unprecedented time of uncertainty. Although CommuniChi has closed its doors until the COVID-19 public health emergency is over, I send prayers for your well being and offer these reflections for your physical/emotional health, and spiritual nourishment. And I invite your questions and concerns if I …
My first mission with Tzu Chi was to Haiti in February 2010 after the great earthquake that took the lives of an estimated 300,000 or more people. I witnessed such incredible suffering, not merely due to the aftereffects of the earthquake, the many lives taken, the families tragically affected, but also due to the severe …
Mexico City Medical Outreach with Tzu Chi International Medical Association Read More »
Groceries for the rest of week were in the cardboard box on the back of my new bike as I suddenly realized I was going down. I had tried to turn too sharply on the sidewalk, looking for the button to activate the crosswalk light. Foolish maneuver in hindsight. Bam! The sound of my helmet …
There are all kinds of walls in this world – walls built by race, nationalism, gender, economics, ideology, age, ability, immigration status, etc. Some of these are actual walls, built of concrete, brick and steel. Usually though, “wall” is just a metaphor for institutional power structure. These institutions are often invisible to those who live comfortably behind them.
Ten thousand leaves flutter in the breeze on the big maple tree out my window. Suddenly, the sun bursts forth, lighting them all aflame, changing my visual palette from a dull brownish yellow to a brilliant gold against a checkered blue and white sky. The raindrops on my head from ten minutes ago are still …
We both agreed about the importance of smiling, not just with the mouth, but with the eyes, the windows of the spirit. That is where true healing begins and ends.
I need to learn to let go, while not giving up the fight.
Marching in the streets, and signing online petitions, are easy responses. Speaking out in the community, attempting to bridge ideological divides through dialogue, organizing and participating in public actions which spring from mindfulness and love, informed by a long term vision of sustainability, with awareness of our interdependence – these are the more difficult challenges of this time we live in.
Employ non-violent direct action to disrupt business as usual and raise awareness of the need to shift away from unsustainable and unethical practices and policies, but do so without feeding the demons – your own or that of others.
