How Are You???

Week Ending Sunday 18th August

A Morning Question - How Are You?

This morning a friend messaged me. She asked 'How are you?'
 I thought about this. There's such a lot going on in my life at the moment. I don't even know 'how I am.' So I told her a bit about my day. I replied -
I’m busy - but this morning instead of getting up and having a wash and meditating to start my day - which is my normal routine -I just started to listen to YouTube videos. I was listening to one as I fell asleep last night - so I just continued.

At the moment it’s Oprah Winfrey with the Buddhist Nun Prema Chodron

Prema is just talking about the way people feel bad about themselves and how faults and failings are not something to push away but parts of us we need to embrace and get to know….

Then ‘Just like me’ - how it was a profound 'awakening' for her to learn to look  around at the people around us and think 'They're ’just like me…’

So interesting. Seeing the humanity of everyone around us.

I’m deeply pained and distressed by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza - and I know there are so many other conflicts and crimes going on - and I pray for all the suffering people. If I didn’t have my workshops and feel that I was able to do something to reduce the suffering in the world,  I think it would be unbearable.

Oprah is just saying that when she first realised that God is not an old man like Santa Claus  that is ….God is in all and we are all connected was like an enlightenment

Prema is saying how when she found things in themselves are neutral and we interpret them as good or bad and all the things that cause so much suffering are neutral….  some interpret that thing as good and some interpret it as bad.

I understand what she means but I can't agree. Not with the genocide continuing in Gaza and the war in Ukraine expanding into Russia - while Israel and the USA are seemingly out of control and  Iran and Lebanon are poised to retaliate - and the world-weapons industry driving war and conflict all over the place because it makes more money for the richest people in the world.... 

In my view, the more we can live by qualities or values which  increase respect and encourage an appreciation of the best in each other,  qualities which unite us - with love and oneness - the more we are opening ourselves to the reality of what I call God.

I 'connect with Gaza' every day, from YouTube. These photos are screenshots I took back in January.

Below is Hasan and his mother - who I have been able to connect with using WhatsApp - when he can get wifi and electricity on his phone. He is an engineer in Gaza, caring for his mother who was injured in the bombing. Their home has been destroyed and they live in a tent near the sea in Khan Yunis. 

I have been blessed to connect with them, and it gives me a feeling of being able to do something - however small, to support them and let them know the world has not forgotten. We correspond and have set up crowd-funding in the hopes that we can find a way to bring him and his mother out of Gaza for medical treatment. She has leg injuries from the bombing with platinum plates inserted. She needs further surgery in addition to being diabetic an not having the medication she needs for the diabetes. But they are in danger every day. There is no safe place in Gaza.

Hasan wrote yesterday - 'They are advancing to Hamad City, which is located near the Khan Yunis subdivisions where I live. The situation is very dangerous. I hope this difficult night passes.

Someone in our Group asked him, 'You are aware of the displacement orders?

He replied, Yes but they don't care about civilians. I live in the so called Safe Area but the bullets and shells reach us. Today, one of my neighbours was shot by a stray bullet. 

Did you see the videos of the father who was just going home with the birth certificates of his new-born twins when their house was bombed killing the twins his wife and her mother ??  

40,000 dead in ten months. And the real fugure is probably double that. Ten children a day losing limbs, often amputated with no anaesthesia. One doctor recently returning from some weeks in Gaza remembered a child having all four limbs amputated with no anaesthetics. And it's almost impossible for anyone to get out for medical treatment abroad now. There is no other word than genocide. 

Pema says she found inner peace ad a sense of inner progress when she realised that everything is neutral, but I can't see injustice and cruelty as neutral.

In my view the things which divide and cause suffering are undivine. War and Genocide are not neutral. on a smaller scale, bullying and aggression towards others are not neutral either. Good and bad are realities. And we all have a choice when it comes to how we respond.

It can seem overwhelming when we see such terrible atrocities and such terrible suffering. I can't look away or ignore it. In no way do I judge anyone from protecting their own mental health by choosing not to watch the news but in my view we need to care. Personally I feel the need to know and connect - especially when it is my own government which is complicit.  But also to know and remember that the causes of and solutions to these massive problems in the world are not in our power to change. We can bear witness and do what we can, but still to maintain a sense of inner peace and perspective. I never forget that Israel as a nation is still in shock from what happened in October. I am so grateful for all the Jews and Israelis who have the ability to see beyond the blindness and prejudice of the leaders and remember that we humans are family, wherever we come from. They have the  insight and courage to stand against the carnage and call for peace.

I will share more of these Organisations at the end of the blog. 

I find that being able to take any kind of positive action is important for two reasons. Firstly because, as Gandi Said, we need to become the change. The world is a reflection of the people. If we see things that need to change, then we need to take action to 'stear things' in the direction of love and happiness. Secondly  becauseif we see suffering and injustice and feel a sense of helplessness, this  is one of the biggest causes of stress. We need to protect our own inner happiness and we can't do that if we feel helpless. Just step back mentally and emotionally to see what positive action may be possible.

The first positive action we can take is to look at our own lives. Where can we work on strengthening our own inner peace and happiness? What opportunity do we have right in front of our face - in our everyday lives and relationships, which can reduce stress and suffering?

In the interview with Oprah, Prema continues
Every word we speak, every action creates our future.

I absolutely agree with her on that.

These photos are from the March Palestine Solidarity demonstration in London. I do my best to get to them all. The atmosphere is incredibly positve and supportive with people from every demographic, all ages, all religions and races standing together to say Stop the Genocide and Cease Fire now. - Now over 40,000 Palestinians have died from the bombing by Israel that my own country - as well as the USA - is funding. We are supplying the munitions. I feel that if I don't keep aware of what is happening and speak out against it, then I am just as complicit as the politicians. I am praying, like people who care all over the world, that this latest round of 'Peace Talks' will succeed and we can avert the horror of the whole conflict escalating into a calamity of unimaginable proportions. 
When the entire world is faced by the existential threat of Climate Change, we are pumping out more and more carbon and pollution with every bomb that goes off in Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen and all the other conflicts worldwide. It can feel utterly imposssible to see a way forward. but we have to keep our hope strong and do what we can from where we are, to 'do the next right thing.'

I continued on the Message in answer to the question 'How are You?'  by saying I could share more but it’s getting late and I have so many things to do…

I’m meeting a friend at the Blue Cross hospital this morning to help a friend get his cat a dental operation free as his vet wants over £1,000. He’s a friend who struggles to  pay his rent each month. He knows that the cat is in pain and will die without the operation. I'm on a low income and my cat is registered with the Blue Cross, so If I go to the hospital with him I'm hoping that they will accept that, because he can't pay for the operation, he has given the cat to me - to save its life. Blue Cross permit me to have two animals and my cat's mother is no more. So I hope it will be possible to register my friend's cat as mine, to save its life.

When I think ‘how are you?’ I’m not sure. I’m not sure what the question means - I am deeply shaken every day by what is going on in Gaza. and other parts of the world, of society, and trouble that friends and family share. I engage with it all on an emotional level as one must - But I pray and meditate, I walk in nature, I exercise to keep my body strong and listen to inspiring YouTubes to learn and improve my mind. As a result I am a deeply happy person.

I know that the world is as it is and my role is just to do what I can from where I am with those I encounter on the way.

I feel connected with everyone and I pray to be an instrument of God’s Love. I try to be available for God to use in His own Way.

Yesterday I went busking near Tottenham Court Station. I started well before 7pm and although there were a lot of people passing by, there were very few who stopped to contribute. In the first hour I had only two pounds. I focussed on offering love and joy, 'Lifting the World' and staying mindful and cheerful, doing my best to keep my mind away from  thinking about how was I going to earn what I really needed to earn that evening, when few people were responding with money.
It was a good opportunity to practise mindfulness - and enjoy the dancing.

A lot of people were dancing, Many were clapping. I had lots of great conversations  and met some interesting people, some of whom wanted to keep in touch - and one of whom, a Chemistry student from Egypt, wants to volunteer at my workshops! It was a positive experience, but I struggled to earn what I needed. After the first two hours I still had less than £10.00!

It was after 10pm when I finally scraped the last pound of the £40.00 that I had set out to earn. And £10 of that was from an ex-army homeless man who latched onto me and introduced me to his friends as his grandmother. Out of everyone who passed by that evening I guess he may have had less than any of them, but he had a heart of oneness and generosity. I was able to cheer him up and give him some friendship -some of the 'positive social contact' which we as individuals belonging to a Tribal Species so urgently need to reduce stress and increase happiness. 

The homeless man had retired for the night when I gratefully thanked the lady who gave me the last few coins to make my total. 
I packed everything up and crossed the road to a nearby pub. I needed to count my coins and ask at the bar if I could change them for paper money that I can deposit in the bank. The pub was full and very noisy. I went right to the back where several women were sitting around a table. I asked if I could use the corner of the table where there were no seats and there was a small space. The lady sitting at the far side said NO quite aggressively, but the lady closest to me, was more friendly. I asked if they lived in London, thinking I could invite them to my workshop - but they had come over from Ireland for a Hen Weekend together. 'Oh, where are you from in Ireland?' I inquired. 'We're from Dublin,' she replied. 
Really? I smiled and pulled out my Pipe. I played 'In Dublin's Fair City' and they were absolutely delighted. They sang and clapped and many people sitting at nearby tables clapped too. The atmosphere suddenly changed and I was a welcome member of their group, not an intruder. They asked for song after song. Many I didn't know but they promised to text me links to more Irish songs I should learn. When I played Dany Boy they were close to tears.  They are all working women with one or two children. Lorraine and the lady sitting beside her - I think her name was Orla - have been neighbours and friends since babyhood. 

They were all interested to know what I did and why - and they took my leaflets, even though they won't be able to come to the workshops. Lorraine, the one sitting closest, wanted to get me a drink. I said I would love a cup of tea. She went to ask at the bar and came back to say they don't do tea. Undaunted she went to McDonnalds nearby and brought me back a big mug of tea, with milk and sugar sachets. They were all so kind. 

A gentleman had come up and joined our group, and it seemed that they knew each other. I asked if he was also from Ireland but he said no. he was Scottish. I know a lot of traditional Scottish Songs and Dances so I asked him what was his favourite Scottish tune.  He said his Mother loved Mull of Kintyre.  That was her favourite song. She sang it a lot. He became wistful and asked if I know it. I used to play it but haven'd done for years. I tried to play it and he sang along and reminded me of the melody. The atmosphere was beautiful and heart-felt and he was thrilled that I had been able to play it - even though I was struggling. He fished in his wallet and gave me a £20.00 note.

I was speechless, thanking him and inwardly thanking God and my spiritual Teacher. 

The Bar-Staff rang the bell and called for people to leave. I said I must go and get my money changed for paper money - only to find that the tills had closed and I was too late. I went bak to the group to say goodbye., I had not realised it was nearly midnight. I must be on my way. Standing at the other end of the table now, I was close to the lady dressed in the lovely white blouse, who had been so hostile to my stopping at the table when I came. I asked her name and (as the others had told me a bit about themselves) about herself. She said that she had been a model in her younger days, but now she works in an office. She said she really hates her job. My heart went out to her. I  asked her to keep in touch and I hope she will. I guess that her initial hostility and general  irritability and reserve is at least in part due to stress and unhappiness. If it is God's Will, I may be able to give her some Mindfulness Support and help her become happier and explore new possibilities. 

I came home full of happiness. If that friend on WhatsApp asked me now, "How Are Your?' I would have a lot more to say. 

And as an appendix, here are more organisations where Israelis and Palestinians are working together for peace