The Changes

“Pause for Peace”

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

VANCOUVER OLYMPIC PEACE WALK AND MEDITATION

9:30 AM Saturday, Feb 13th, 2010

Come gather at 9:30 am on the corner of 33rd and Cambie Street
Closest Canada Line: 25th & Cambie - or use public transport

9:45 am Walking meditation in silence up Little Mountain

It feels like a punch in the heart when I read about the reports of hundreds of monks being massacred and tortured in Burma. I just don't understand it. I feel helpless and confused. But my spirits were lifted a bit when I learned that people are learning about this and speaking out, over 584,000 people have already signed an online petition (organizers are hoping to reach a million this week) and an International Day of Action is being planned for this Saturday (see below).

Still, the situation in Burma remains desperate, Burma's rulers have also

Good news: The US House and the Senate have both passed Iraq Accountabiity legislation more or less calling for ending the war and bring the troops home. Bush may veto it. Pressure is mounting and awareness is increasing.

Help stop the clash of cultures and pass it on. Petition for real peace talks in the middle east: (Avaaz) "First, watch our new 'Stop the Clash' video for a fresh, empowering take on the wider conflict, and why taking this first step toward Middle East peace matters: The video takes on the wider global crisis: from New York to Baghdad, Madrid to Beirut, talk is rising of a 'clash of civilizations' between the West and Islam.

Hi everyone,
I hope you've been keeping well over the last while.  I've been occupied with several projects and commitments, many to our grandchildren.  Two little ones, both girls, Lilly and Rowen, have been born this year, and they, together with their families, are doing well.  
Births strike me as renewed motivation to do all we can to make the world a kinder, saner, safer, healthier place.  We saw a poster recently that read    Justice, not Just Us.  
Along these lines, here is a quotation from a spiritual teacher I have found provocative and exhortative:
 “When we wake up in the morning, so often our first thought is some variation of “What about me?’  If this thought drives our lives, fear and self-absorption rule us.  We are so fixated on our own happiness that our mind begins to shrink, and with it, the possibility of happiness.What would real happiness be?  It would be egolessness, the lack of struggle, and a fundamental joy and sense of celebration, not only in our own happiness but also in the happiness of others.Considering others is the basis of any spiritual and worldly success, if we define success as having a fulfilled, meaningful, and permanently happy mind.  If we help others, we will all find the happiness we want.”                                    Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
Happy Spring, Easter, warm regards, blessings, and peace to you all.  Be well, do good work and stay in touch.
Jill

This mailing contains lots of good news and information as well as many action opportunities.  Please take as many of the possible actions as you can, pass the websites and information on to your lists, and of course, let me know if you'd like to be removed from, or have some one added to, this list.
1. Climate changeGood news:   several items! a) Petition to put climate change at the top of the G8 agenda in June b) Do your part to reduce global warming:  10 Tips for immediate use at home.  c) Watch and share a video about our impact on climate change and its consequences.
2. War and peaceGood news: The House and the Senate have both just passed Iraq Accountabiity legislation. a) Keep up the pressure on your legislators to get out of Iraq and stay out of Iran. b) Help stop the clash of cultures and pass it on.  Petition for real peace talks in the middle east. 3. EnvironmentGood news: several items! a)   Help put Polar Bears on the "threatened" list. b)  Help sponsor TV ad to alert millions of viewers to the polar bear's plight. c)  Protest massive dam by mining company in Patagonia. d)  Help save the Ocelot in north America.   e)  Speak out again international whaling. 4. Social justiceGood news:  Attorney Gonzales may resign. a)  Call for stronger, targeted sanctions on Zimbabwe's leaders.  b)  Urge Exxon to pay the punitive damaages it owes to Valdez victims.  c)  Petition to close Guantanamo.
5 Politics and electionsGood news: The Democratic Party of Nevada is dropping Fox as the host of its presidential debate! a)  Support bill for public financing for fair elections. b)  Help ban paperless voting machines. c)  Support bill for Common Sense budget. d)  Support funding for NPR and PBS 6. Smiles :-) :-)    a) A cute Mouse story, along the lines of the theme "Thinking of others is part of our own well being." b) Washington Post Neologisms  7) Co
Here are the details:
1. Climate change Good news:

•  It's the latest buzz!  Here's the Environmental Defense version of this great event :  "In a groundbreaking decision, the Supreme Court ruled today that the federal government has the authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate America's global warming pollution.