From Brahma to Buddha, Fall 2006

Pura Vida

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 15:55:49 +0000

Hola amigos! I don't know if anyone still reads the blog or not, but it's been a while and I thought I'd drop a line to see how everyone is doing. I'm in Costa Rica right now, taking Spanish lessons and surfing by day and hitting up the bars at night, well, hopefully I can do that as soon as these parasites are out of me. No matter what I seem to do, India sticks with me in some form, but I guess it takes a more literal form in my digestive system. I miss all of you a lot. It's still a little weird waking up and not having team Jordan around. I hope everyone is having fun back home while they get prepared for another trip. I'm looking forward to exploring another country, but it just won't be the same without you all there. Chau todos. Nos vemos.

"Reunited, and it feels so good..."

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:58:40 +0000

Hello family across the world,

Kate, Emma, and Breena here are gathered here in Annapolis, Maryland as friends reuniting. From the moment we arrived it was an adventure in this town of historical goodness, especially with Emma behind the wheel. From Italian food to the naval academy to strange beings at St. John's College, we've had our fair share of the true Annapolis experience--as only we could have it.

We've found ourselves slipping into far too many long and contemplative conversations about life, the universe, and the unravelling of it all. Yet we have also found in one another a unifying feeling of "home".

I'm overwhelmed by my thoughts and feelings - Kate. But I'm working on it...

We miss you all dearly and most certainly in our moments of talking deeply about our experiences in India.

Hope you're well wherever you find yourselves.

love always,
Peace out Homies,
Saludos,
and NAMASTE DHOOM MACHAYAY

Emma, Kate, and Breena

Aloha

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 22:46:00 +0000

Remember, always take time to stop and smell the flowers

I hope this finds everyone well reuniting in Maryland, exploring New Zealand and Thailand, surfing Costa Rica, working at home, doing thousands of prostrations a day, and otherwise keeping on keeping on.

I'm back home in Portland, where the thermometer recently hit numero zero. Cold.

Frankly, not quite as pleasant as the tropical breezes which kept me hangin' loose in Maui over the past couple of weeks. Intended to send you all an update from there, of course, but what with distractions like hiking across the lunar landscape of volcanoes and diving down with the sharks and the turtles, I neglected to let you know about it.

So, surfed some big days (or should say got pummeled by some big waves), counted rainbows by the dozens, swam under waterfalls, and watched whales get airborne barely a hundred feet away. Books on the beach and luaus in the evening, what an amazing place. Andrew will be glad to know that I went fishing for the big game a couple of times (but am sorry to say we didn't get anything more than mackarel). Anyone know that there are raspberry and redwood and eucaplyptus forests in Hawaii? (I sure didn't until I was walking through them).

And now, although I'm back home for a brief spell, I'm nontheless repacking the bags again. That is, I'm hitting the road tomorrow for a long-haul drive out to Jackson Hole, WY, acting the wingman to an old friend with whom I promised to make the drive way back when we were still in Banaras. Plan to ski for a week or so with hometown friends out there and then it'll be back to Portland for the month of February. Not that I'll be here for the whole month or anything, but, you know...

So, please keep me posted on what's going on in everyone's world and thanks for posting so many great photos to the Flickr site. Great to check-in on now and then.

Take good care everyone, and kale shu/pep ah

-Galen

Ashes?

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 08:59:20 +0000

And while the plane lands, I can’t help but wonder if it’s going to blow up because the engines are going to set on fire. Not that it’s rational but because it was just one of the many experiences in India, and thinking about it takes me back to what seems like a lifetime ago, but could only be a couple of months. The anxiety is fleeting and unwarranted, but it’s enough that it makes me look out the window for a couple of seconds until I make myself relax and exhale with a sigh. It’s funny how I could repeat the process so many times in a matter of days, and I can’t recall if I’m on my way home from Costa Rica or dozing up in business on the longest flight of my life. It’s only when I get there and collapse into a new bed that it hits me and the haze clears. But the bed isn’t that new; it’s hard and short like India. Nothing like mine back home. I can almost remember mine back home if I think hard enough. Distantly I remember spending a night or two there, laying on the mattress that was too large and too foreign, luxuriating in its comfort as I sink into it and pull the sheets over me. Yet I don’t sprawl across it like I used to, taking up as much bed as possible because my arms and legs are so far apart they seem to be trying to reach around the whole bed and pick it up. It was different then, and I can’t decide which is more familiar--the one I knew for eighteen years or the one I knew for three months.
It’s like Cassie said, I thought, you really do become transitory. Or maybe not as much as you’d like to think, because as I walk through the streets of Beijing, everything I see is compared and contrasted before I can stop myself. It’s funny though, to what I compare it. Not to Inverness, Peru, or Costa Rica, but to India, like somewhere along the line some part of my heart stayed there, willingly and consciously or not. Something about the country maybe, or because it’s the longest I’ve stayed in one spot all year and the longest I’ve stayed with friends all year. Then I wonder if China will be the same, but I know as soon as I ask the question that it won’t and it can’t. I don’t need a rational reason for it this time, I just know and don’t need to pursue it further, although it is a bit depressing. Somehow I managed to forget how long three months is.
It’s just that I can’t help but wonder why I’ve been all over the place this last year. Is it some defect of character that drives me to these foreign places? Something wrong that makes it so easy for me to tear the bonds that tied me to my home for so long and now they are so frail and stretched they have no pull on me. It seems each time saying good-bye became easier, and I can’t decide if that is good or not. Before I left I thought maybe I would find something in China that I wanted to latch onto and pursue, but during the first day of kung fu lessons, I watched my master and a student of his practice and couldn’t help but be in awe at how perfect it was. Not that they were perfect in their practice, although the master seemed so to me, but that it just fit so well and everything flowed because their hearts were there. I noticed that it was them. That was them. It was not me, and as much as I may have wanted it to be, it could not be and I realized and understood that then. So I guess I’m still looking—for something to latch onto or for something that fits. When they practiced their kung fu I saw their passions, but I couldn’t help but wonder where mine was hiding.

I had to name is ashes for you guys. First week is hardest, so I guess that’s why I feel so…I don’t even know right now. Beijing is cool though. It’s kinda like a U.S. city because it’s so modern. Hope Team Jordan is enjoying themselves wherever they happen to be in the world. Good luck with the next Brahma to Buddha. Hope you guys have fun at Lifebridge.
Andrew

Las aventuras de Cassia

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 19:21:50 +0000

And as Andrew flies East, Cassia flies south... landing on her brand new green shoes (I know, can you believe it? My mom almost cried) in the beautiful land of Argentina.
Transitory. A good word to describe our years. Our lives. I hope to be transitory soon because I am hopelessly lost right now, and my Spanish skills are just rusty enough to make me timid about asking for directions. Just ask, Cassie! But my ipod is not frozen and my shoes are comfortable, and it has cooled down enough today to make walking a pleasure. I hope that my sense of direction can function even in another language.
Who knows how I will feel? Who knows how it will be? I´m still pretty terrified of this new adventure, but my little homestay sister loves Jennifer Lopez. She has the thickest, most beautiful accent, and doesn´t seem to care that I can only pick up every other word.

The next Brahma to Buddha program is meeting in a few days in Lifebridge, and that makes me wistful and somewhat sad. Good luck to all of you (and to Emma, who has to brave that gorgeous retreat without our faces there)!

I miss you guys.

Welcoming a new family...

Sat, 17 Feb 2007 11:09:05 +0000

Hi Team Jordan,

I've got about two days until the new students arrive and we are off on another adventure and I, too, as it seems Cassie and Andrew are, am thinking lots about transitions and their meanings.

My time in Nepal was wonderful... if not freezing (no central heat, so prostrations served to keep me warm as well as occupied in the last weeks). I spent my last evening at Boudhanath Stupa, one of my favorite places in the world, and one that I hope you will all have the opportunity to visit someday if you wish to. This past week, I've been working hard with Peter, Amit, and Namgial to make sure the spring semester starts off well, not to mention playing lots of guitar with Guru Nakamura (the founder of Shanti Stupa in Leh) who I've been quite fortunate to meet. I'll celebrate Tibetan Losar (New Year) tomorrow with Peter... he told me he's making a huge pot of thukpa and to bring lots of small change for some intense card games. I can't wait!

As I'm so excited to welcome a new group to Delhi and am looking forward to what this new semester will bring, I can't help but feel happy that you are all out in the world doing amazing things and looking toward your futures as well.

Do check out the new blog, and maybe leave some "love" for the new group if you have a chance. I know they would love to hear some comments from you all as they experience similar things and attempt to process through them as you did.

Keep shining!

Tracy

Musings from Lifebridge

Sat, 17 Feb 2007 20:38:15 +0000

All of this blog activity plus another inspiration talk from Remy about the importance of blogging has left me with the need to make a post..
I sit now at the top of the Lifebridge stairs listening to the voices of John and Michelle, along with the new India students about to take a walk outside in the snow, float up towards me. We ate chili and hot dogs, did the rope exercise and the strange role playing game, talked about itinerary and health and safety (no slideshow with rabid dog this time!), and I cannot believe these new faces that surround me ready to take the same amazing steps the eight of us took six months ago.
They don't seem as nervous as we were and even though there are only six of them (five here now because one is already in India) there wasn't even a seven minute silence occurrence. They're all excited, all smart and lively, and all seem more then capable of meeting the challenges and blossoming within this new experience. I am so excited for them, and yet so moved when I think of them being in those places and having those moments that I shared with you. Will they feel the same way? Will they form those same bounds we now feel stretching over across the world between us? It's amazing to think about all the different possibilities a trip like this can and will take. Good luck to you all Tracy. I can't wait to stalk you on your new blog (they're moving ours tonight from current to something else... the nerve!)
I wondered up to that amazing room this afternoon at the top of this center and gazed out over the Catskills. They are so beautiful, and I once again felt that feeling I had in India that the world is just so glorious that it truly can wipe away all of our fears and discontents with one glance at it's excellence.
My love goes with all of you in your moments of exploration, confusion, discovery, enlightenment, sadness, fear and joy.
Cheers for Team Jordan, and all the others who are pushing the limits.

Banaras Revisited

Sat, 03 Mar 2007 16:43:25 +0000

So, we were having the "pre homestay" talk... don't be afraid to say you've had enough rice... please be home by dark... spend lots of time with your family...

and Sanghamitra yells loudly, "JORDAN!"

I'm thinking, "Jordan? There is no student named Jordan this semester... what is she talking about?"

And then I hear the Jesse giggle. The two of them suprised us a few days ago with a visit!

What a suprise to see Jor Jor and Jesse right as the students were going to homestay. They showed up in Banaras that afternoon and came over to the Anami Lodge to see if we were there. In fact, we were. It was great to see them. They are staying at Kailash's place so we were able to share a tabla concert with them and the new students with Kailash and Druv on sitar. We shared some food at the program house as well, and some good stories about monk-ish experiences and visits with family back in the states.

They are off after celebrating Holi (the festival of colors) tomorrow. They'll be missed.

I wish I could "run" into each of you and catch up. If you're out there and reading, send an update! I'm wishing you all well and hoping this spring is going wonderfully for each of you.

Hurray for Blogs

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 13:55:30 +0000

Still in Beijing. I'll be here for two more months I think, unless I decide I am taken with the place and have a sudden urge to stay longer. Everyone got Galen's e-mail? I remember when he first mentioned March 10 back in India, and I wondered what it would be like to be in China for then, but I really didn't think it would happen. Well, it's happening. Kind of like being in the lion's den or something...I don't know, pick an analogy you care for. Anyway, back to blogs. The program I'm here with recently put up a site with a blog that I have to contribute to every week. Check it out if you want - Academic Explorers.

How is everyone? Scattered across the world yet? I'm wondering how Jordan is doing in India without Galen and Tracy to save him. Have fun.
Andrew

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 17:58:31 +0000

Finally!

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 10:38:05 +0000

Just wanted to shout out to you all that I have finally loaded my many photos from the fall semester on to Flickr. Hooray for fast internet connections at Assi Ghat and Flickr Uploadr (and Remy for teaching me how to do it quickly rather than one by one).

Feel free to browse and reminisce!

Enjoy them... I hope you are all enjoying your semesters.

much love,

Tracy

March 10 Update

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 19:48:44 +0000

The March 10 Uprising Day in New York was a true success, marked by a prominent procession across the Brooklyn Bridge through Chinatown to the UN, where the largest rally to date spent several hours before proceeding down 2nd Ave to Union Square for the climax of the day's events. Global friends from Tibet, China, Dharamsala, New York, Canada, Vermont, Maine, Alaska and many, many other nations and cities congregated to hear prominent members of the Bod Rangzen/Free Tibet movement, including SFT Executive Director Lhadon Tethong, activist extraordinaire Tenzin Tsendue, Columbia Professor Robert Thurman, acclaimed author Jamyang Norbu, Chinese democracy dissident Wei Jingsheng, as well as several others. City of New York traffic control and police facilitation was exceptional, helping to make for what many identified as the most successful Uprising Day in recent history.

I hope some of you were able to participate in an event wherever you may be, be it a public or private one.

Please check out the www.March10.org website to see hundreds of photos from protests around the world, as well as videos, articles, and other resources for our benefit.

Here are a few shots I was able to get over the course of the day. Michelle, Erin, and I had a chance to briefly speak with both Tsendue and Lhadon, and caught a picture with him as well. It's also worth noting that in the foreground of the image of Tsendue's address is Kelsang the photographer, Dharamsala program coordinator from last year.

And despite my activities on March 10 I had no trouble collecting a visa at the Chinese Consulate several days later.

Hope everyone is well and remember to keep the flame a burnin.

Bod Rangzen-

Galen

A Really Good Map - A Call to Action

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 05:09:33 +0000

Hi Team Jordan and Friends,
Forgive my cross-post on both blogs, but I thought you would appreciate these thoughts of mine. We're having a great semester, and of course, my thoughts turn to all of you daily as we trace our steps from last semester. Tomorrow night, we'll hear JJI Exile Brothers rock out... first time for me, as I was in Disney World when you saw them last semester. I spoke with them yesterday and they sent their hellos to all of you.

Would love to hear some updates about what you are all doing these days...

Take care,

Tracy

*************************************************************************************************

Bloging connects all of us through the internet in amazing ways. We can share in our loved ones' journeys across the globe, comment with sentiments of support, encouragement, and information. We are quite lucky to have this tool to deepen our personal connections while we are far away from each other, or while we are right next door.

With this in mind, I thank you all - parents, students, friends, loved ones - for contributing to our online Global LAB community. and with this post, I ask for even more response and interaction than before. My gratitude in advance for reading on.

Lhasang Tsering.
Tibetan Freedom Activist.
He spoke to our group today. His talk left all of us reeling with hope
and determination to contribute in whatever way we can to the cause of Tibet. The students and I
were totally charged.

One piece of his talk, which rang true to me last semester when we
heard him speak as well, stayed with me again this time:

Lhasang-la suggested that we use our power and privilege in a
functional way when we get back to the states. "When you get back
home, there will be so much to tell and share about with your family
and friends. Please talk about Tibet," he says to us. He asked us to
"ask our politicians to take a good look at a good map," one that
shows the actual boundaries of Tibet during the last centuries and
point out how Tibet was independent of China. Not only this, but look
at a good map currently that shows how the 4 occupied territories have
been assimilated into China.

Last semester, I asked him about where I could find a map of this sort
to show folks back home. We looked and looked for one but couldn't
find a "good map" of these things. I am continually inspired to find
one, or make one that shows these truths.

Map making is totally subjective. Maps are arbitrary visual
communications of political borders that are constantly changing.
There are maps made these days that are "fair to all people of the
world." (I know this, but my good ol' gradschool SIT has them for sale
in the bookstore.) But are they really? Are maps able to communicate
genocide and millions of people living in exile from their homes? are
they able to communicate families being split apart with no hope of
seeing each other again in their lifetimes?

My question for all of you...
Does anyone have connections with a mapmaker, or know how one would go
about making a map? This is where the networking and the wonders of the internet come in. I would
really like to make this happen. More amazingly, I would like to
publish such a map and make sure it gets into the hands of political
powerfuls in the U.S. Government and plenty of activists in all
communities that are working toward the cause of a Free Tibet.

What do you all think?

Drumroll, please...

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 21:10:19 +0000

At long last, the results are in and the winners of some sizzling hot prizes have been identified.

In the Best Photographic Contribution to the Blog category, the judges all wanted to award the prize to Tracy. We kept explaining and explaining that Tracy was not eligible because she is an employee, but they wouldn't budge. So we decided to give all of you (including Tracy & Galen) a hot prize in this category. Keep an eye on your mail box because it is going to burn a hole if you leave it in there too long.

In the Best Blog Writing category we had a tie vote: Congratulations go to Ms. Cassie Denton and Mr. Andrew Rosseau for their exceptional literary contributions to the Blogosphere last semester. You two will be getting some dangerously scorching hot prizes very soon and we ask that you please write a post to confirm arrival.

Thanks all for you patience. It is never easy gathering a panel of Nobel Laureates and keeping them on task and cooperative as contest judges, but all's well that ends well.

John

Charming Romania

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 17:42:03 +0000

Hello all. We just wanted to write a bit to let everyone know how we are doing. We are both happily and safely in Romania, in Transylvania, the land of Dracula. We are living in a foster home kind of place, where we're volunteering by spending time with the kids. Its really beautiful here, with rolling green hills and snow capped mountains and old medieval towns with red tiled roofs. This is country is new to us, but so far so good. We are in the midst of planning our future travels, hopefully over to the Black Sea coast and then to Budapest and eventually down to Greece to see Emma. We are in the city of Brasov, where there is a festival this weekend, where the young buff Romanian men ride into the city on horses, wearing traditional clothing, looking for brides. We will be the first to welcome them.
I hope everything is well with each of you all over the world. We're thinking of India. Love you all.
Kate and Breena