The Book That Changed My Life

We all have one... 

The book that turned our world upside down and made everything, well different!  For many of us this happened during the formative years of college. This was certainly the case for me.  At 21 years old, I found myself in one of the most conservative Christian liberal arts colleges in the country, Hope College, home of the Dutchmen.  As a religion major I was required to take one course in World Religions (how embarrassing is that, only one!)  

People had warned me that class was dangerous, some people apparently started to question their TRUE Christian faith from taking that class...

The last day of the semester, Boyd Wilson, the wonderful professor of this class, read us this excerpt, from Diana Eck's book, Encountering God. Now this was after, months of honest, sincere inquiry into not only the world's religions, but also those religions followers. I was so deeply moved by this class, but the impact hadn't hit me until he read us these words...

"In Chaim Potok's novel, The Book of Lights, a young rabbi from Brooklyn, on leave from his post in Korea during the Korean War, travels for the first time in Japan. 

"One afternoon he stands with a Jewish friend before what happens to be a Shinto shrine with a clear mirror in the sanctum or perhaps a Buddhist shrine with an image of the Bodhisattva of Compassion. We are not told which, and really it does not matter. 

"The altar is lit by the soft light of a tall lamp. Sunlight streams in the door. The two young men observe with fascination a man standing before the altar, his hands pressed together before him, his eyes closed.  He is rocking slightly. He is clearly engaged in what we would call prayer. The rabbi turns to his companion and says,

"Do you think our God is listening to him, John?"

"I don't know chappy. I never thought of it."

"Neither did I until now. If He's not listening, why not? If He is listening, then--well, what are we all about, John?"

Now my memory was that my professor closed the book there and wished us all a good summer.  (Upon discussing this with him recently, he said their was quite a bit more lecture to go on that last day, but apparently this is where my mind was full and stopped retaining what was happening.)

So he might as well closed the book right there.  I remember stumbling out into the daylight in totally confusion.

If He's not listening, why not? and if He is, well then what are we all about...

The book and the question that changed my life.

25 Things You Would Probably Rather Not Know About Me

Feels like the height of egotism, but I do love to experience the heights!  There is that facebook thing going around, 25 Things about yourself...

Yeah, I did it.

Here it is.

1. I am doing this because Brad threatened to do it for me, and truth be told, that terrified me.

2. I am sorta afraid I will forget people who previously tagged me in their note, and I will spend more time worrying about it, and focusing on the fear of potentially hurting anyone's feelings, than I would like to admit.

3. Therapy is one of my favorite things (thinking i might need more after writing #2) If i could afford it I would spend all my time paying people to discuss my neuroses.

4. About 5 years ago, my mom offered to bring me some hamburger patties that a woman at work was selling from her farm. She said everyone said they tasted really fresh. I said, fresh? What does that even mean? They taste like the cow? They taste like the cow eating grass? I passed on the patties, started a meat avoidance phase, and now 5 years later own up to being a vegetarian.

5. I went through two meat avoidance phases as a kid, but always bounced back.

6. As a kid I thought a mistake had been made and i was supposed to be born black. I watched tons of movies on civil rights movement, and tried to memorize MLK's I have a dream speech, to correct the mistake.

7. Ironically, my home town was home to Malcolm X at one time, and he said it was the most racist town he ever lived in.

8. I'm an only child.

9. I tend to be both cynical and deeply idealistic to my core.

10. About now i am thinking i should have done the list of 16 rather than 25 things.

11. I am a scorpio and Enneagram #4. 

12. I LOVE change and resist it more than anyone i know.

13. I just received an email from Brad with his first suggestion: I have not sat under my desk and cried yet today: TRUE! 

14. You really don't know me if you haven't seen me cry, i have no shame with sharing the tears.

15. My iPhone: I love my iPhone, I love my MacBook, I love everything Steve Jobs has ever touched.

16. I once touched Tiger Woods. I was sure with that one touch our eyes would lock and he would realize I was his one true love. I was 17 at the time. (I somehow still believe those insane fantasies of mine!)

17. I have a dream of being discovered, not sure doing what, but discovered all the same!

18. I am a yoga instructor, but i don't feel like a yoga instructor, it is something i do once a week more so than something that feels like it defines me.

19. I love cable news and dream of spending a day with Rachel Maddow, Anderson Cooper, the late Tim Russert, Chuck Todd, Andrea Mitchell, and Doris Kearns Goodwin. 

20. During the election I had multiple dreams about Barack Obama, he was usually seeking my advice on something, and dreamt of Robert Gibbs (his communications manager and now White House Press Secretary) on at least two occasions.

21. Some of my favorite people in my life are the ones who incessantly make fun of me. I think it is making up for the brothers i never had.

22. I am extremely sensitive to things around me. People's moods, body language, energy between people, lighting in a room, smells, sounds, all is very clear and unavoidable to me. Sometimes feels like i am watching the special features on a DVD and feel bad that most around me are missing the subtleties. 

23. I have been to an intuitive reader twice, loved it, and have a strong intuition myself.

24. My brain is quick, and it is hard for me not to finish people's sentences, to cut people off and move on to next point and I do it a lot while watching tv or movies i have never seen. I am trying to learn the art of patience.

25. My life was changed by taking Boyd Wilson's World Religions class at Hope College and through reading Harvard Pluralist Scholar, Diana Eck's book Encountering God. I owe so much to the two of them!

We the People Rise!

We were lucky enough to have social activist, writer, songwriter, and kindred-spirit Marisa Handler to visit and speak with our community. She was here to speak and present about the intersection of buddhism and social activism but of course in our conversation we ended up discussing politics and our deep hope that President Obama would be our president, at that time it still felt like just a dream.

And now, just days into the Obama Administration (it is still fun to say) she sent me this video, and I was so blown away.  The power in her voice, the power in her words, so matched the power in the crowd at the inauguration.

Enjoy this beautiful piece Marisa wrote in opposition to the U.S. invasion of Iraq and performed first at the March 20, 2003 protest of 20,000 people in San Francisco.

People do indeed have power, when we choose (in whatever way) to stand and rise!

 

President Obama's Official Statement on Roe v. Wade Anniversary

So yes, it was day 1 of Obama Administration and this was the first official statement I read by our new President.

Please don't ask how I reacted, I was tired, I was overwhelmed, I was emotional and his words were dripping with respect and admiration for women... You can guess!

Such hope!

Such respect!

Such equality!

On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that this decision not only protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose.

While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make. To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information, and preventative services.

On this anniversary, we must also recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights and opportunities as our sons: the chance to attain a world-class education; to have fulfilling careers in any industry; to be treated fairly and paid equally for their work; and to have no limits on their dreams. That is what I want for women everywhere.

My Place in History

It has been an amazing experience to travel to our nation’s capitol to be a part of this historic event. From the elated buzz on the flight from Milwaukee to Reagan National Airport, to the incomprehensible mobs of people, to the serene and hopeful moment of hushed silence just before Barack Obama took the oath of office, this has been an experience I will never forget, and try as I might, will never adequately describe.

The crowds were simply overwhelming in size, so often it seemed as though there was no end to the people, and moving in a collective mass quickly became the norm. My experience of this diverse, beautiful mix of people was so friendly, considerate, and united, that I was not at all surprised to hear reported that on Inauguration Day with two million people in attendance, there was not one single arrest made.

On that day, after hours of trying to make it through the crowd that seemed to never end, and through the security check I started to settle in to watch the swearing in ceremony. Standing there behind the reflecting pool at the front of the mall, I turned in attempt to take in the moment, and to survey the crowd. The view of the huge, elated crowd, waving American flags, for as far as the eye could see, with the Washington Monument in the backdrop was a simply breath-taking sight.

As many others in my generation, I have been critical of my government, and have not felt the sense of American patriotism that my parents and grandparents often describe. And at that moment, taking in that view, the simple thought came to mind, we actually did it. And then the tears began to freely flow, overwhelmed at the power of diverse people to come together with hope and optimism in these uncertain times.

And before I knew it, from seeing my tears, complete strangers around me were crying too, and then they were hugging me, and it was the moment that we had all come all that way to experience.

The swearing-in ceremony was moving, the speech by President Barack Obama was powerful and inspiring, and of course Malia and Sasha were undoubtedly the crowd favorites. And then it was over. We were back in the moving mass of people (sometimes not moving much) walking the seven blocks back to my friends’ apartment, which took two hours to navigate with many detours and the slow pace, and it was cold. This wasn’t the most pleasant walking conditions, but it was somehow different. The crowd was more subdued- no chants or song singing, and it was as though we were ready to get on with the business of being America. The energy of anticipation of this big day had been transformed to a deep sense of peace and together as individuals we walked forward as one.

Online Tools that Tug at the Heart Strings!

TEARS: Oh my goodness.  Checking in, did I get enough sleep?  Have I eaten regularly? Am I all around emotionally stable?

Surprisingly: yes, yes and YES!

So why you may be asking did I tear up just a bit at reading the latest of online tools.

Let me fill you in...

You've been watching the news coming out of Gaza right?  Have you been working to get the whole story?  Our news coverage of this crisis, has been in my opinion, well awful.

Watch this...

I believe it is time for Americans to really understand the impact American policy is having on this conflict.  You do know it was the U.S. that prevented the first U.N. attempt at a ceasefire agreement...

So back to what moved me today...

Thanks to the wonderful Progressive Exchange network, I have come across the best new online tool.  Let me introduce you to JStreet and the Gaza Ceasefire Network.  Check it out here. 

Here is the info from the website...

Join thousands in making calls to Members of Congress to demonstrate broad public support for strong U.S. leadership to bring about an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Call now — use the form on the right!

Fill out the form on the right to get started. After you've submitted your information, we'll provide you with a simple way to connect directly to your Senators and your Representative on the next page.

With resolutions on Gaza now surfacing on the Hill, we have to turn up the heat to ensure that - in addition to support for Israel - Congress calls for active American diplomacy to end the crisis and a ceasefire that promotes the interests of Israel, the Palestinian people, and the United States.

The more calls we make, the harder our message will be to ignore: An immediate ceasefire that ends the violence, stops the rockets, and eases the blockade of Gaza is in the interests of the United States, Israel, the Palestinians, and the whole Middle East.

You can learn more about our campaign at JStreet.org . Also, find out what else you can do besides calling your Members of Congress here.

Sitting here, holding the pain and destruction that is happening in the world. Sitting here knowing my country, my president, and my tax dollars play an indirect role in all of this. Sitting here with this pain, and realizing that I am not powerless. I am not alone in outrage over this situation.  Sitting here knowing that because of simply using technology as a agent of change, many will participate in sending a message that this is not acceptable.

Sitting here, I am moved to tears finding myself at the intersection of despair and hope. 

Won't you make a call...  Use your voice! 

Imagine a Progressive Christianity

Well, it is not too hard to imagine.  We are working on it everyday along with other groups like The Center for Progressive Christianity. 

What I love to imagine is the day when mainstream Christianity is Progressive Christianity.  Oh this thought fills me with such glee!  I have theories and ideas about how and when that will come to be.  The Business of Religion is what I like to call it.  Ian and I are thinking of exploring those themes in a dialogue, and if we don't get around to it, I will most certainly blog about it.

But for now, do you want to do some imagining too...

(this is a piece of our liturgy from Sunday)

"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be mad by those who could not hear the music."    – Friedrich Nietzsche

One: Imagine a religion that brings together, rather than tearing apart

All: Imagine the peace

One: Imagine a religion that celebrates diversity, rather than fearing difference

All: Imagine the justice

One: Imagine a religion that deeply respects this life, rather than waiting for the next life

All: Imagine the integrity

One: Imagine a religion that lives the questions, rather than enforcing the answers

All: Imagine the openness

One: Imagine a religion that engages the intellect, rather than trusting in superstition

All: Imagine the empowerment

One: Imagine a religion that seeks to be the change it wishes to see in the world

All: Imagine the spiritual awakening

What do you imagine?

Do these ideas excite you?  Do they make you nervous?  Please, feel free to comment here!  I am looking forward to your thoughts and to the Christianity we are creating together!

Just Another Official Letter from the U.S. Senate

I am not the best at reading my mail.  I don't even get much mail, pay all my bills online and try to avoid as much of the paper stuff as possible.

So it comes to be that stacks of the snail mail will mound before I get around to going through it, this generally takes a few weeks.  No exception during the holiday season though I try to sift out the holiday cards.

When I do get around to getting through it all, I am totally used to all of my celebrity friends writing to me about their favorite causes.  I get all sorts of mail from Richard Gere, sometimes even some nice Tibetan Prayer Flags thrown in, as he is sharing with me the latest news from Tibet, though sometimes the Dalai Lama prefers to write me himself.  Leonardo DiCaprio has been writing recently he cares an awful lot about the earth and wants me to know that.  I think he is working with the NRDC, but I am not exactly sure. Then there was the recent postcard from Michelle and Barack thanking me for all I did.  That sure was sweet.

So yes, it is quite normal for my famous friends to write.  Clearly this is why I was not phased when I received an envelope from the United States Senate. To be fair I should have noted that part on the envelope that said Official Business, but on my defense it was very small print!

So for weeks this rather important piece of mail sat.  This piece of mail dated December 18, 2008.

So today, January 2, 2009, I decided to go through my mail.  And instead of asking for money, or my time or volunteer efforts, to my shock and excitement, Senator Debbie Stabenow of the great state of Michigan was writing to let me know that her office received over 12,000 requests for Inauguration tickets, that she was given less that 400 tickets and that she wanted me to have two of them!

I think I am going to start reading my mail, just a little bit closer from now on...

P.S. Senator Levin, I know you were sorry not to be able to grant my request for tickets, but I wanted you to know, Senator Stabenow, is going to have to be my favorite Senator now, and please don't confuse this for a bribe, but if you wanted to throw a few more tickets in my direction, I have some friends that would very much like to make you their favorite Senator :)