World Events – Je Suis Charlie

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World Events Take Place In Paris

A day like any other, 07 January 2015, and suddenly a massacre with machine guns. Two masked gunmen forced their way into the offices of the French satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France, and killed twelve people.

Frédéric, the first one killed, just happened to be walking into the offices of Charlie Hebdo to make repairs inside the building. He and his colleague were not even aware of the newspaper. His colleague dragged him into the restroom to protect him and care for him until help came, but Frédéric died in his arms.

World Events – Twitter Hashtag #JeSuisCharlie

As people became aware of the murders of the staff at Charlie Hebdo by Islamic terrorists, France created the hashtag #JeSuisCharlie = "I am Charlie" to represent all the slain cartoonists and the right of free speech. The world responded.

Twitter boards lit up with the most tweeted hashtag in its history. You can see the use of #JeSuisCharlie on Twitter by geographic location in this depiction.

World Events – Those Who Are Murdered

Along with the murder of the staff at Charlie Hebdo, people were also killed in a Jewish grocery store. More innocent deaths took place in the Parisian area, a total of 17 in all.

The initial attack was directed at the newspaper, Charlie Hebdo, known for its satire and irreverant religious and political cartoons. Lest you think Muslims were singled out in particular, they actually focussed a lot on general politics and Catholicism and Judaism were not spared either.

World Events – Uderzo, At Age 87, Comes Out Of Retirement To Draw

Albert Uderzo is the creator of Astérix and Obelix, a much loved French comics depicting the escapades of a group of Gauls under Roman occupation. Uderzo retired in 2011.

Uderzo stepped out of retirement to express his solidarity as a cartoonist as well as his sorrow and anger at the recent events. His drawing is in character with his irascible character, Astérix.

 
 

Historical Day For France – La Marche Républicaine

A Paris march to honor the victims of terrorism took place on 11 January 2015. It was an historical event for France, and for the world. People took to the streets to show their solidarity for freedom of speech and to stand against terrorism.

People held gatherings and walks in other parts of the world as well.

Heads of State from around the world joined the President of France for the event. It was remarkable for all of them join each other and walk down the street together.

A record number of people took to the streets to show their solidarity.  At least 3.3 million people came out, the greatest number since the liberation of France in WWII.

I personally don't like crowds, so this view from the balcony would be my ideal spot to participate. (photo by AFP)

World Events – What Does It Mean To You?

This is not a political blog by any means. We are here to celebrate The Radiance Technique®, and naturally part of that celebration is how we use TRT® in our lives.

Our lives include all the personal details of our individual days; it also includes world events swirling around us. Some events touch us directly, others we watch as a witness. In terms of energy, there is nothing that doesn't touch all of us. We are all connected at the deepest inner point. We truly are connected to everything.

The Second Degree Of The Radiance Technique®

For students of The Radiance Technique® (TRT®) who have studied The Second Degree of TRT® (and above), it is possible to direct universal energy to world events as well as the details within them.

For example, you could direct energy to the events of the murders. You could take time to direct to each person who was killed (refer to the photo above). This could be done over a period of time, even weeks. You could also include their family and friends grieving for them.

You could direct energy to the entire crowd of people at the rally. You could direct energy to peace prevailing and terrorist acts failing. You can direct to whatever speaks to your heart, even if it is to the people who committed these vicious acts.

When you direct energy, it does not change the world events. The past remains the past as a fixed point in time. But, you do offer supportive, healing energy to all involved, in ways you won't know with your mind. Universal energy will be there for them to heal deep within, as they see fit at the inner-most levels of their being. You offer this energy freely, without knowing an outcome. It is not cause and effect.

The First Degree Of The Radiance Technique®

For students of The First Degree of TRT®, you can work with your TRT® hands-on in your meditations.  Maybe these world events make you sad, maybe you feel immense anger, and then sad again.

These are normal human emotions as a reaction to violent circumstances. You can bring balance and healing to yourself with the use of TRT®.  Be sure to use your Radiant Touch®, your TRT® hands-on, in the moment, when you are having these feelings. You can also combine your TRT® hands-on with a specific meditation.

May peace prevail.

 

The Berlin Wall Falls, Dreams Are Rebuilt

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The Berlin Wall Falls Down

It's November 1989.

The Berlin Wall, built in 1961, came down.

Ripped down by the people.

The Berlin Wall comes down - East German soldiers look on 

I remember the day well, reading about it in The New York Times as I rode my commuter bus into work in the financial district of San Francisco. I was utterly amazed.

If you had asked me back then, in the 1980s, if I thought The Wall would come down, I would have answered, "Yes, someday, but not in my lifetime."

And then, there I was, in my lifetime, with a fallen wall.

You see, it seemed for my whole life, I'd only known of that Wall being up.

 

West Berlin, East Berlin

I visited West Berlin and that Berlin Wall when I traveled to Northern Europe in the winter of 1983.

I know, that's a crazy time of year to go, but that was our only downtime when I was singing with the San Francisco Opera Company. It was the break between performance seasons, before the next round of rehearsals that would begin in April.

My journey into West Berlin came by a round-about-way – from Moscow on the train. I had stayed 10 days in the Soviet Union (not Russia in those days) and was coming back out from behind the Iron Curtain.

(It's funny, because now we easily and simply say "Berlin" – but, back then, it was clearly either West Berlin or East Berlin. A single Berlin did not exist.)

Below is the Ampelmännchen – pedesterian stop signal used in East Berlin.

Stop! East And West Cannot Meet

I stayed in a modest pension, run by a quiet man in his mid-40s. He served us soft boiled eggs in ceramic egg cups at breakfast. I got to talking with him and he disclosed that his mother lived on the other side of The Wall. He had not seen her in over 20 years. This was not a time of easy-access home computers, FaceTime or Skype internet telephone calls.

He could not go to the East; she could not come to the West. That is, not until she retired. Then she could go to the West and stay there, thank-you-very-much, so the East would not have to pay for her retirement. He described the situation with such sadness.

When The Wall fell, six years later, I directed radiant energy to my hotel man and his mother, hoping that they were happily reunited. I didn't have his name or address anymore.

After The Berlin Wall, Reunification

Even though it was fiercely desired, reunification was no easy feat. A lot of history had to be reconciled and East and West differences in thinking and attitude had to mend. No longer would manufactured goods say made in West Germany on the bottom – only Germany existed now (and again).

Granted, I speak as an outsider. I am not German, only German heritage. But, while The Wall was up, my German friends confided with me how they experienced a deep, dividing schism in the psyche of the German people. They often spoke about the need for enormous healing for Germans from both sides.

25 years later, long, good strides of healing have been accomplished. Isn't it interesting that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is originally from East Germany?

They said it would take at least one generation to fully reintegrate East and West in spirit, some said it would take two. We've passed one generation now.

I recommend taking a look at this article by Spiegel Online, with its wonderful gallery of photos showing the same place before and after The Wall.

Do you remember The Berlin Wall falling down?

 

Summer Olympic Games, London 2012

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“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the struggle.
The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well.”
— Olympic message
 

The Summer Olympic Games, London 2012

We stand as witnesses now to "the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat" to quote the famous lines from the ABC Wide World of Sports television broadcasts.

Now unfolds a time of human endeavor that ranges from the sublime to the mundane. Olympic records are broken and gold medals are won and 150,000 condoms are handed out to the 10,000 athletes. Human events transpire at the, oh, so human level.

This display of human spirit touches my heart at its most symbolic aspect, even though I am not terribly athletic and have never played team sports. For me, it really isn't so much about the sports themselves, although discovering more about them is delightful, but rather the energy with which they are played.

Displayed before us is an inspiring array of human discipline, persistence and training. These are the same attributes that help us meet the challenges of the spiritual journey.

We celebrate the victories and share the disappoints; human hearts are elated and crushed. It's a reflection of the struggles of our own lives.

Goodwill Between Nations

We share the love people have for their countries and celebrate our differences.

We embrace and enjoy our diversity. The Olympic message, at its core, embodies this principle of celebrating our differences while embracing our oneness.

The Olympic Flame Burns Bright

At the center of these Games, there is a fire burning day and night in the cauldron at the Olympic stadium. This is the Olympic Flame that was lit from the sun in Greece and carried with dedicated care throughout the British Isles.

For those who wish to go deeper, it is an outer flame that also represents the inner flame within each of us, within humanity, our planet and animal kingdoms, and at the heart of our own solar system.

Off we go in the celebration of us.

 

The Kiss Of The Olympic Flame

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Passing The Olympic Flame

When the torchbearers in the Olympic Torch Relay pass the Olympic Flame from one torch to another, it is called "The Kiss."

I discovered this when I was visiting friends in England as the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London were about to begin.

I heard someone say, "The Kiss will take place a block from where I live." Never sure if I'm hearing another unfamiliar British English-ism, I checked in for a translation and clarified its meaning.

Come to find out, we were talking about the Olympic Flame passing from one torch to another as it journeyed throughout Britain.

The Olympic Flame Travels The British Isles

The Olympic Flame went on a journey of 70 days and 8000 miles that covered all corners of the British Isles.  Everyone was a-buzz about the Olympic Flame passing through their towns and villages. I loved hearing their stories. This Olympic Flame seemed to connect with people emotionally, even those who previously thought it wasn't all that interesting.

Many people were able to take time off from work to be there in person. They would patiently stand on the sidewalks with everyone else from their town as they waited for the Flame to pass. 

One woman went out to the street with her mother to watch the Olympic Flame make its appearance. She recounted how they were initially there more out of curiosity than anything else.

However, as the Olympic Flame drew near, people around them became hushed with anticipation as if something wondrous were about to happen. She and her mother found themselves caught up with other spectators in a warm camaraderie.

People called out to one another in muted, respectful voices, "It's coming, it's coming!"

Everyone marveled as the Torchbearer drew near with the Olympic Flame held high. There was something about this Olympic Flame, this Light, that represented all of them in a spirit of goodwill.

Then, as the Flame passed by, both she and her mother began to cry. Quiet tears rolled down their faces as they looked from the Flame to one another. She said they felt their hearts opening and expanding. 

It was entirely unexpected. She couldn't explain why.

The Flame Is Symbolic Of Greater Light

Cherished and protected, the Olympic Flame is kept burning throughout the Games as a reminder of the goodwill and cooperation between nations. The Flame evokes something that is timeless within us; the connection of an inner flame.

One Torch Lights Another, And Then Another

Originally lit from the sun in Greece, the Olympic Flame was carried by 8000 people around the British Isles traveling through rain and shine. People from around the world, with modern means of communication such as Facebook, followed its light-filled journey.

The Olympic Flame is for everyone.

Let the Games begin.

 

D-Day, A Day To Remember

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06 June 1944

 
“Those who fought, and died, to free Europe on that day altered the course of history.”
 

The Allied Invasion

On 06 June 1944, during World War II, the Allies launched a massive landing on the beaches of Normandy in France. It became known as D-Day and it's a date we recognize and remember each year.

 
“More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe.”
 

This was no easy beach landing. The Germans were entrenched with strong fortifications. Initially, it was a massacre of Allied troops, but still they pressed on.

It was imperative to take those beaches at all costs. And for those who died that day, it was, indeed, at all costs.

 
“The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard slog across Europe, to defeat Adolf Hitler’s crack troops.”
 

WWII AMERICAN CEMETERY IN NORMANDY

Present Day Awareness Of D-Day

Imagine the trembling fear and simultaneous bravery that must have surged through the troops as they landed. The sacrifice of human life that was required to take those beaches is immeasurable. Who will die? Who will survive?

Maybe you know individuals in your family who were at the landing. Healing is still needed for all participants of the war, for both sides.

Some of us are moved to sorrow by the plants and animals affected by the war. The earth itself bears the wounds of many bombings. We hold it all in our hearts and awareness as we remember them.

D-Day beaches with craters from bombings – pointe du hoc

On this D-Day – we honor those who came before us for their willingness to step forward into the heat of battle and for their immense sacrifice.