Bridges in the Middle of the World 2

(Part One here)

While researching and studying Huaihua, China, I had the unique opportunity to live with people from more than 60 countries, from virtually every religion, ethnicity and region of the world. This is why I say this little town and the International Chinese Medicine Hospital more fully inaugurated me as a global citizen. Truncated within distinctly Chinese culture and expectations thereof, serving as an intermediary on so many levels, I began to see the world more clearly. Regardless, I am compelled to share some of those conversations with patients who became friends hoping that it might ignite more sparks within hearts and minds and inaugurate more global citizenship.

Due to the conflict between Israel and the people of the Gaza strip, I could not remain silent. Rather it is my intention to open your mind to the conversation among the people as well as between them.

In Huaihua, I lived with many Muslims, studied with many Israelis and experienced the interaction between them. It was NOT hostile. Rather, the Israelis I encountered insisted that the Muslims were their brothers. Some openly hugged them. Most exchanged warm, friendly conversation! This was not a one-way exchange, but one of reciprocity, mirroring the occurrences and lifestyle within Jerusalem before World War I. In centuries prior to this, each locale had residents of differing faiths that lived together and celebrated each others' holidays. I was fortunate, too, to be a part of this, to fully participate, engage in these celebrations with my international family in Huaihua. It was a blessing!

Yet, there is a bit of hostility that often brews under the surface, serves as an undertone within the context of international relations. When I asked the Muslims, mostly Arabs, why there was so much conflict, many of them spoke of the 1967 war. They highlighted the lack of discussion! In order to illustrate this more effectively, I will use their words and stories.
As it was explained to me........

This Arab man, who lived within the US for a time told me. "You take my ring and you don't want to give it back. Then we sit down. We discuss. You still don't want to give it back. Then you give me something. But still, we discuss!"

In fact, many of the Muslims shared the same view. From them, I more fully grasped the understanding that the end of the 1967 war had not ended with a discussion. Rather, it concluded with a mandate and a sort of subjugation, dismissal and even voicelessness. So many lost their lives. Yet, there was no reparation ordered. The Palestinians were still a landless but recognized people. But the most troubling part of this equation was the complete lack of discussion.

This is NOT how business or affairs are conducted within the Middle East. I doubt that any other region would have accepted a "mandate" with unequal discussion or lack thereof. Indeed, there needs to be one sooner than later.

As I sit here, wondering how many of these people with whom I shared meals, conversations, quiet moments, shopping, etc., are still alive and/or affected by the violence, it pulls at my heart strings immeasurably and reminds me that we are ALL connected. It begs me to ask whether we have fully protected each sacred life and truly valued each one of them.

That said, I sincerely believe that the role of the UN is not only to protect the Israelis but also to provide equal protection for the Palestinians. Each has a right to life without fear, to health, to the necessities and stuff of life and to self-determination. After all, human rights and self-determination are not hierarchical in nature. They are about life and our commitments to the well being of each other. Failure to do so, reflects upon each one of us, asking us to look into life's mirror, into our hearts and minds and give a little more.
Praying forward the day when we truly value each person, each life.

Be a life bridge--Give LIFE!

Many times throughout the course of my work, I've met people who shared their stories and experiences, their gratitude, and love for life. Colette Jordan is one I am honoured to say I have met vis-a-vis through her son and am thankful to have known ever since.

With gratitude to her and her continuing stream of acts that raise awareness and inspire others, I am extending her life bridge here via sharing her blog post--reaching out to all of you, asking you to consider being a life bridge in another way. After all, there are SO MANY ways to give, to be the bridge, the boat, the passage, to extend life and love and value for another human being. Namaste
From Colette:

Hello family and friends,

At this time of year, when fall is upon us and the earth is going into hibernation whilst preparing for rebirth next spring, I begin to feel even more gratitude for life. November 1st marks the anniversary of my lifesaving liver transplant. This November 1st, the National Day of Re-birth; it will be 2 years that I received the precious gift of life from a family that I have never met. Because of this selfless act of charity, I have been able to enjoy almost 700 sunrises and sunsets and am truly grateful for each and every day.

I want to ask if you would find it in your heart to help me spread the word about organ donation in your faith community this November 14-16th. National Donor Sabbath is an annual observance to raise awareness, through religious communities, of the urgent need for organ and tissue donation. Currently there are almost 5,000 people in Illinois and 100,000 nationwide waiting for lifesaving transplants, . Won't you share this attachment and website information with your clergy asking them to put a notice in their bulletin, or to talk to the congregation about this ultimate act of charity? After speaking to the congregation or posting in the weekly bulletin- local transplant recipients (like myself) and donor family members could come to your place of worship and hold a registration drive to register congregation into the Illinois Donor Registry after worship services on the weekend of November 14-16th.

Please take the time to peruse the Gift of Hope website and then send me a note or give me a call. I would be happy to answer any questions regarding donation, and have faith based literature to share with you and your religious community. Thank you again for being there for me when I needed love and support through my transplant experience. I now ask that you help me to help the other 5,000 currently waiting for their second chance at life. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Together we can help save lives. What a beautiful way to honor God's greatest gift- Life! Gift of Hope
Colette's Blog and Contact Info

If you cannot personally do this, then please pass this it on and celebrate life with others, appreciating the moments at hand, the here and now, the past, the present and the inevitable, selfless and seemingly hidden life bridges that have sustained and nurtured your life and those around you. Thanks in advance for all you do and for being you and special thanks to Colette for sharing this.

We are ALL Lifebridges joined in Oneness

In an earlier post, I elaborated upon what I thought were lifebridges........
http://lifebridges.blogspot.com/2008/01/what-is-life-bridge.html

We encounter them every moment both within our view and beyond sight.
Throughout the years, I have often looked around me and realized that they were everywhere--within the strangers I met, among my college classmates, Professors, colleagues, family, global family, friends, within the people in geographically distant places, across time and culture, I learned about, read about and reached out to through whatever means I could. This is all that we can do.

Sometimes, the wellspring and awakening of compassion and offerings of love and prayer are the gifts of such encounters. Sometimes, it is the wisdom imparted or the profound humility. At other times, it is the gift of friendship, companionship, steps shared along the journey. At other times, it is mutual respect through differences and the call for more love and self-cultivation. Sometimes, it is a call to act, to share, to give more, love more and encourage more.
No matter what the encounter yields, it is a gift, a connection, a reminder of the Oneness that joins us all--the wellspring of the human experience.
Namaste, 湘君

Encounter

Spirits intermingled,
Souls intertwined, they meet.
They dance, from time to time.
Along the paths, the many varied paths,
This life reveals from time to time,
Each must choose.
Each must travel.
Spirits intermingle;
Souls intertwine.
Enlightenment enters; fullness thrives.
Experiences shared, they travel on,
richer, so much richer,
for the encounter of the journey.

杜湘君 2005