Daily Meditation: Being Safe Places for Others. From Henri Nouwen

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Wednesday December 28, 2011         Being Safe Places for Others   When we are free from the need to judge or condemn, we can become safe places for people to meet in vulnerability and take down the walls that separate them.   Being deeply rooted in the love of God, we cannot help but invite people to love one another.  When people realise that we have no hidden agendas or unspoken intentions, that we are not trying to gain any profit for ourselves, and that our only desire is for peace and reconciliation, they may find the inner freedom and courage to leave their guns at the door and enter into conversation with their enemies.   Many times this happens even without our planning.  Our ministry of reconciliation most often takes place when we ourselves are least aware of it.  Our simple, nonjudgmental presence does it.     Comment on this Daily Meditation.    Visit our website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community. Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Photo by V. Dobson.

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What "occupues" my thoughts for the New Year!

This vacation has been my first real downtime from work in about a year.  It's been good to be with family in a part of the country where I once lived and may live in again.  Most of all it's given me some good distance from my social justice activities.  As I've explained the Occupy movement, Rebuild the Dream and other efforts to family, it only serves to make clearer in my mind that now is the time for us to act -- to WAKE UP as a recent post has said.  Political "business as usual" was not working.  As we go back into this new year, we need to empower ourselves, and especially our young people to act to clean up the mess made by previous generation.  This is not an indictment of these generations but simply seeing things as they are.  As we return to our fields of labor in this new year, I hope we resume the movement forward to fix our world and take care of all of our people!  

I am glad to see next steps for the Occupy movement and the other movements taking form, including those mentioned above.  "Occupy Foreclosure" is a good example.   

It's important to not let this awakening be marginalized by those who wish to dismiss it as the work of a "few malcontents too lazy to get a job".  It's also important not to let others appropriate these efforts for their own reasons good or bad.  This includes allowing violence or anarchism for the sake of anarchy.

Finally, we in the movement need to listen to all who show up.  We are coming off a tremendous period of world apathy.  People in these movements locally and nationally have taken the time to show up and protest and in some cases camp.  If people show up and ask to help, LET THEM!  Do not dismiss those who have jobs, and those who may have some means but still want to effect change.  I heop to join this discussion when i get back to town.

Here are my hopes for a happy and active and blessed New Year where we may see progress for everyone, especially those in the"99%" world wide.

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Daily Meditation: The Peaceable Kingdom From Henri Nouwen

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here Saturday December 10, 2011            The Peaceable Kingdom  All of creation belongs together in the arms of its Creator.  The final vision is that not only will all men and women recognise that they are brothers and sisters called to live in unity but all members of God's creation will come together in complete harmony.  Jesus the Christ came to realise that vision.  Long before he was born, the prophet Isaiah saw it: The wolf will live with the lamb, the panther lie down with the kid, calf, lion and fat-stock beast together, with a little boy to lead them. The cow and the bear will graze, their young will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like the ox. The infant will play over the den of the adder; the baby will put his hand into the viper's lair. No hurt, no harm will be done on all my holy mountain, for the country will be full of knowledge of Yahweh as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:6-9) We must keep this vision alive.   Comment on this Daily Meditation. Please join us for our Advent book discussion on Lifesigns.   Visit our website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community. Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Psalms from The Psalms, A New Translation ©1963 The Grail (England) published by Collins. Photo by V. Dobson. Forward this Daily Meditation to a friend! This email was sent to drben54@sbcglobal.net, by email_lists@henrinouwen.org Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Henri Nouwen Society | P.O. Box 230523, Ansonia Station | New York | NY | 10023 | USA Henri Nouwen Society | John M. Kelly Library, 3rd Fl. | 113 St. Joseph Street | Toronto | ON | M5S 1J4 | Canada

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Daily Meditation: Acting in the Name of Jesus

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Friday November 18, 2011      Acting in the Name of Jesus  Ministry is acting in the Name of Jesus.  When all our actions are in the Name, they will bear fruit for eternal life.  To act in the Name of Jesus, however, doesn't mean to act as a representative of Jesus or his spokesperson.  It means to act in an intimate communion with him.  The Name is like a house, a tent, a dwelling.  To act in the Name of Jesus, therefore, means to act from the place where we are united with Jesus in love.  To the question "Where are you?" we should be able to answer, "I am in the Name."  Then, whatever we do cannot be other than ministry because it will always be Jesus himself who acts in and through us.  The final question for all who minister is "Are you in the Name of Jesus?""  When we can say yes to that, all of our lives will be ministry.   Comment on this Daily Meditation. Our Advent book discussion on Lifesigns begins November 20th. Please join us!   Visit our website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community. Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Psalms from The Psalms, A New Translation ©1963 The Grail (England) published by Collins. Photo by V. Dobson.

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Daily Meditation: Focusing on the Poor by Henri Nouwen

Current and to the point given the situation in the USA today.

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Monday October 31, 2011   Focusing on the Poor  Like every human organization the Church is constantly in danger of corruption.  As soon as power and wealth come to the Church, manipulation, exploitation, misuse of influence, and outright corruption are not far away. How do we prevent corruption in the Church? The answer is clear:  by focusing on the poor.  The poor make the Church faithful to its vocation.  When the Church is no longer a church for the poor, it loses its spiritual identity.  It gets caught up in disagreements, jealousy, power games, and pettiness.  Paul says,  "God has composed the body so that greater dignity is given to the parts which were without it, and so that there may not be disagreements inside the body but each part may be equally concerned for all the others" (1 Corinthians 12:24-25).  This is the true vision.  The poor are given to the Church so that the Church as the body of Christ can be and remain a place of mutual concern, love, and peace.   Comment on this Daily Meditation.   Visit our website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community. Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Psalms from The Psalms, A New Translation ©1963 The Grail (England) published by Collins. Photo by V. Dobson.

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Who Do We Want to Become? Remembering Forward Ten Years after 9/11 | The Civil Conversations Project [OnBeing.org]

Well worth the listen!

http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2011/ccp-911/

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Just like that, things can change.

Just like that, things can change. I got the call from a friend yesterday morning. “I have cancer” said my mentor and friend, “And I need your help.”

On Wednesday I had learned that my Chaplain’s classes were moved from October to January and I was planning a trip back East and camping for the fall. I had signed up to be a delegate at a convention in mid-October. But with those words “I need your help” I didn't think twice about moving things around.

In October 1998, while I was in Boston, and again in 2001 here in California, I needed to make similar calls when I was diagnosed with Lymphoma, and when the lymphoma relapsed 3 years later requiring a bone marrow transplant. I had to ask a lot of people for help then. In 2001, I’d been in California less than 2 years, and the relationship I’d moved here for had ended. I was on my own. I called my family, the nearest of whom lived 1500 miles away, and the furthest 4500 miles away in the UK. I also called a friend in Boston who dropped everything and came to be my caregiver through the worst part of the Bone Marrow Transplant process. Before I was through, my family and my best friends had all come to California to help me move and spend time with me when I got out of the hospital.

10 years later I’m healthy. But three times since, I've gotten the call: “I have cancer, and I need your help”. And without thinking I knew what I needed to do each time. I would move my schedule around and see how I could help.

The events of 9/11 happened towards the end of my recuperation from the transplant. I was not yet back to work, having left Stanford for a new apartment in Davis only 5 days before. So many people lost there lives that day, two of whom I had worked with. A third survived escaping from the WTC down a flight of stairs. He’s never been able to work again and is on disability.

During my recuperation, and especially after 9/11 I realized that my survival from Stage IV cancer was a gift, and I wanted to use the time I’d been given helping others.

10 years later, this call comes just as we are getting ready for the 10-year anniversary of our nation’s tragedy on 9/11. I know I have to help, and get others also to help.

On the anniversary of these awful events, I think best memorial we can give for those we lost that day, is look around us for those who need our help. Then hold out our hands and lift them up.

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Daily Meditation: Healing Letters - by Henri Nouwen

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Sunday September 4, 2011                              Healing Letters  When you write a very angry letter to a friend who has hurt you deeply, don't send it!  Let the letter sit on your table for a few days and read it over a number of times.  Then ask yourself:  "Will this letter bring life to me and my friend?  Will it bring healing, will it bring a blessing?"   You don't have to ignore the fact that you are deeply hurt.  You don't have to hide from your friend that you feel offended.  But you can respond in a way that makes healing and forgiveness possible and opens the door for new life.   Rewrite the letter if you think it does not bring life, and send it with a prayer for your friend.  Comment on this Daily Meditation.   Visit our website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community. Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Psalms from The Psalms, A New Translation ©1963 The Grail (England) published by Collins. Photo by K. Smith.

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10 years

10 years

Last Saturday, I stood before several hundred people at Stanford University to speak about my experience as a 10-year survivor of a Bone Marrow / Stem Cell Transplant I received there.  Almost 100 BMT caregivers were there, 300 other survivors and many families.  About 10 of us gave short remarks all of which were received well by the audience, some with standing applause.

I was going to put the text of my speech in this space, but two events changed my mind.

First I was informed that yet another member of my church is dying of a late-diagnosed aggressive cancer   that makes two this spring.
Reading my email further, I found out that a friend, in remission for 5 years had her cancer screening last week and received the dreaded “It may be nothing, but…” message from her Doctor.  She goes in for another scan and more tests tomorrow.  Suffice to say she is frightened beyond words.

So, I cannot rest on the laurels of my recovery and those others at Stanford – yet.  We’ve won our battle but the war against this disease, which now affects 1 out of 3 Americans, is not over.   With prayers and good thoughts for my friend and for the other man and his family, I need to go back – into the breach.

I pray for comfort for the one man and his family, and healing of fear and for a good report for my friend tomorrow.  As I visit patients as a Chaplain this month, I will do the same.

We are getting closer to a cure with more effective treatments and higher survival rates. The war against cancer is one we will win, indeed we must win.   We have no other choice!

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Daily Meditation for July 25, 2011

This spoke to me today.

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Monday July 25, 2011    Digging Into Our Spiritual Resources When someone hurts us, offends us, ignores us, or rejects us, a deep inner protest emerges.  It can be rage or depression, desire to take revenge or an impulse to harm ourselves.  We can feel a deep urge to wound those who have wounded us or to withdraw in a suicidal mood of self-rejection.  Although these extreme reactions might seem exceptional, they are never far away from our hearts.  During the long nights we often find ourselves brooding about words and actions we might have used in response to what others have said or done to us. It is precisely here that we have to dig deep into our spiritual resources and find the center within us, the center that lies beyond our need to hurt others or ourselves, where we are free to forgive and love.   Comment on this Daily Meditation.   Visit our website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community. Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Psalms from The Psalms, A New Translation ©1963 The Grail (England) published by Collins. Photo by V. Dobson.

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The Schoolboy (or the joys of Summer School) By William Blake

Dedicated to all of my friends teaching Summer School this year...

The Schoolboy

by William Blake

I love to rise in a summer morn,
When the birds sing on every tree;
The distant huntsman winds his horn,
And the skylark sings with me:
Oh, what sweet company!

But to go to school in a summer morn, —
O it drives all joy away;
Under a cruel eye outworn,
The little ones spend the day
In sighing and dismay.

Ah then at times I drooping sit,
And spend many an anxious hour;
Nor in my book can I take delight,
Nor sit in learning's bower,
Worn through with the dreary shower.

How can the bird that is born for joy
Sit in a cage and sing?
How can a child, when fears annoy,
But droop his tender wing,
And forget his youthful spring?

O father and mother, if buds are nipped,
And blossoms blown away;
And if the tender plants are stripped
Of their joy in the springing day,
By sorrow and care's dismay, —

How shall the summer arise in joy,
Or the summer fruits appear?
Or how shall we gather what griefs destroy,
Or bless the mellowing year,
When the blasts of winter appear?

"The Schoolboy" by William Blake, from Songs of Experience, 1794. Public domain.

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Daily Meditation for July 11, 2011

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Monday July 11, 2011    A Time to Receive and a Time to Give It is important to know when we can give attention and when we need attention.  Often we are inclined to give, give, and give without ever asking anything in return.  We may think that this is a sign of generosity or even heroism.  But it might be little else than a proud attitude that says:  "I don't need help from others.  I only want to give."  When we keep giving without receiving we burn out quickly.  Only when we pay careful attention to our own physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs can we be, and remain, joyful givers. There is a time to give and a time to receive.  We need equal time for both if we want to live healthy lives.   Comment on this Daily Meditation.   Visit our website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community. Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Psalms from The Psalms, A New Translation ©1963 The Grail (England) published by Collins. Photo by V. Dobson.

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Daily Meditation for June 26, 2011 A courageous life

As i read this, I am at a conference where we are trying to learn to make a difference to those around us.  How interesting that this popped up this morning!  Be courageous!

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Sunday June 26, 2011    A Courageous Life "Have courage," we often say to one another.  Courage is a spiritual virtue.  The word courage comes from the Latin word cor, which means "heart".  A courageous act is an act coming from the heart.  A courageous word is a word arising from the heart.  The heart, however, is not just the place where our emotions are located.  The heart is the centre of our being, the centre of all thoughts, feelings, passions, and decisions. When the flesh - the lived human experience - becomes word, community can develop.  When we say,  "Let me tell you what we saw.  Come and listen to what we did.  Sit down and let me explain to you what happened to us.  Wait until you hear whom we met,"  we call people together and make our lives into lives for others.   The word brings us together and calls us into community.  When the flesh becomes word, our bodies become part of a body of people.   Comment on this Daily Meditation.   Visit our website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community. Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Psalms from The Psalms, A New Translation ©1963 The Grail (England) published by Collins. Photo by V. Dobson.

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Prayers answered

I just heard from my friend who I took to hospital the other day.  She's out and in a much better place, though her friends and family have a lot of caring ahead of them so she can get back on her feet.

Thanks to Chaplain Art and to all my friends who said a prayer the other day!  BEN

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Tough day for a friend.

I took a friend to hospital this afternoon.  This friend is suffering from the darkest night of the soul.  She needs thoughts of love and prayer sent towards Sacramento tonight.

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This song spoke to me when it was played in church last Sunday. "I won't let go" Rascal Flatts

http://youtu.be/Af8mB9ABuJA

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"If It Be Your Will, Leonard Cohen, Copps Coliseum, Hamilton Ontario, May 19, 2009"

This song made me sit right up, and the tears began to flow.  Had to share it!

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Let the GOP debate begin!

In case you missed this!  BEN

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A Story of Faith Unshaken

A story of a simple solid faith in the face of direst adversity. It made my day!

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/06/faith-unshaken-by-tornado/

BEN

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Osama Bin Laden

We have seen so many times the last few years people in other parts of the world rejoicing in our losses on 9/11. It's only fitting that the United States has it's moment now that the ringleader of this attack who boasted about it over the decade has met justice.

I lost people I knew in New York on 9/11/01. Another friend is permanently scarred from escaping the Twin Towers that day, I am sure that few reading this did not know someone personally affected. This battle is not over, not by any means. But this is a win for the sake of those we lost on September 11. We need to take this moment. Bin Laden has met justice. I am not sorry at all this has happened.

So tonight we cheer for a bit. We honor the memories of those we lost. But tomorrow, we must return to pray for and work towards peace in this world.

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A military story

It is 0100 on Sunday morning.  I need to be up in 5 hours but I've not yet gone to sleep.  I've been on duty as Chaplain since shortly after lunch.  It has been an amazing day.

I cannot say how touched I am today to see how our local men and women in uniform take care of each other.  A sewrviceman at a nearby base was critically injured last night and life-flighted here.  Right now it is touch and go.  The family lives far away.

I went to the ICU expecting a very difficult afternoon.  However, as soon as I got off the elevator, I saw that most of the people in the large waiting area were in uniform.  A man came up to me and introduced himself as the base's Colonel, Another was a Commander and there were a Lieutenant and some Sergeants as well.

 The enlisted men and woman were shell-shocked but the officers took over.  They made sure the family was transported 3000 miles to Sacramento.  A hotel was arranged.  The injured man's Pastor was brought up from the Bay area.  The enlisted's were each assigned to an officer to talk quietly and to process what had happened to their friend.

As the Hospital Chaplain, I was there along with the local Pastor of this man's denomination.  There was little for us to do, othetr than just be there, as a spiritual presence and pray with those in the waiting room.  And of course to stand in awe at the caring and love we saw around us.

At midnight, the first family members were whisked in from the airport in an Air Force van.  They were escorted by an officer in dress blues.  Over at the hotel, their luggage was being unloaded and food were being laid out in the both the ICU waiting room and at the hotel..

I think I am blessed to have three siblings and a strong family.  But because of his service this young man has 50 siblings, sitting with him, taking care of his family and friends and forming a circle of love, support and prayer. 

I am not sure about the wars we fight today, but I have no doubt that our men and women in uniform have our backs and have each others' backs as well.   "Leave no man behind".   I saw this embodied tonight in a way I've never seen it before. 

It's still touch and go for this young Airman.  But the support I saw tonight will as much as anything else help lift he and his family through the next few days.

We are blessed to have our men and women in uniform.  We owe them nothing less than our gratitude and respect.

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Check-up today

Went up to Roseville for a medical check-up this morning. Results? Still healthy still sane! It's a twofer!

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Wisconsin concerns

What concerns me most about Wisconsin is that the whole fair employment agreements - public and private are predicated upon the good faith standards put forth by the Hatch Act, the predecessor to the National Labor Relations Board, among others. If a government feels it can just invalidate a large chunk of law, "because times are hard" that is the start of a slide down a slippery slope. The Governor would be wiser to reopen bargaining with the state workers and let the workers decide themselves whether they want to accept some reductions for the good of the whole or strike. In this economy strikes are usually short and decisive as ours was. We wound up splitting the difference. By just killing all of the agreements, the Governor now has a tiger by the tail. A tiger whose rights will be upheld int he Supreme Court. By invalidating contracts he will pay far more in legal bills and lost production rather than going through the bargaining process. Union representation is assured by Federal Law. It is wiser to work with that system than try an end run around it. The crowds in Madison bear that out.

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Rappin. the Canterbury Tales!

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Ben's email got hacked

Dear friends:

My Yahoo email got hacked today. A mail server at a [place I volunteered got hit, then my yahoo account (the only place which does not use strong passwords or kerboros ) got compromised too.

I've changed my password and tightened account security on my \Yahoo account. I will also be deleting most names in the yahoo address book. I have other ways (like Posterous) to reach people in a hurry.

If you need to talk to me about this, please contact me at drben54@gmail.com.

Thanks and sorry,

BEN

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February 8, 2011 - Care, the Source of All Cure A thought for caregivers from Henri Nouwern

As a hospital Chaplain, who sometimes has some really tough cases, this jumped out at me.  This, my friends is why we do this!  BEN

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Care, the Source of All Cure

Care is something other than cure. Cure means "change." A doctor, a lawyer, a minister, a social worker-they all want to use their professional skills to bring about changes in people's lives. They get paid for whatever kind of cure they can bring about. But cure, desirable as it may be, can easily become violent, manipulative, and even destructive if it does not grow out of care. Care is being with, crying out with, suffering with, feeling with. Care is compassion. It is claiming the truth that the other person is my brother or sister, human, mortal, vulnerable, like I am.

When care is our first concern, cure can be received as a gift. Often we are not able to cure, but we are always able to care. To care is to be human.

---

Share your thoughts on this reflection.

These reflections are taken from Henri J.M. Nouwen's Bread for the Journey.

Visit HenriNouwen.org for more inspiration!

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Sarah Palin's Statement on the Tuscon Tragedy

Listen to this - all of it.  Make up your own mind.  Other than the misuse of a Hasidic term, I found the actual speech, rather than just reading the partisan analysis from both sides, interesting.  Ms. Palin and I remain in most ways on opposite sides of the political debate, but this video gives us an unfiltered view of her,  from which we may make our own decisions. 

In High School, at the urging of Mr. Marshall, a conservative teacher, I bought a few issues of William F. Buckley's NATIONAL REVIEW.  Immediately I was taken by some of  "the other side's" thoughtful  iterations of their beliefs. Stupid people did not get published in the REVIEW. (neither did many Liberals <g>.) Still, I remained a fan of Mr.s Buckley's until his death last year, despite remaining a Liberal.  The "other side" (both "other sides")  are being de-humanized in the current debate in the wake of this tragedy.  Sound bites and statements out of context  do not paint an accurate picture. We need to listen to what people have to say.  To all of what they have to say.  And then, make up our own minds.

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