Who are you?

This past week has been eventful and moving in many ways. As I establish closer relationships with the children here at Shanti-Bhavan, we are mutually sharing more and more things about our backgrounds and perspectives. Their initial reactions go something like this: “So let me get this straight…your name and surname are French, you are from Nicaragua and Spanish is your first language, you studied in the United States which is where you became part of ASTEP, and now you are India, with us??? Oh my goodness, who are you?” =) Haha, their puzzled faces are the cutest thing ever, but seconds later their eyes open wide and we begin a beautiful exchange of experiences and ideas.

In the “Artistic Expression Class” that Francesca and I are teaching, the children have so willingly opened up and shared with us very personal things. They have shared with us stories of their lives before Shanti-Bhavan and about how they are grateful everyday for the opportunity of being a part of this amazing community. In that room, there have been many, many tears, and screams, and laughs and hugs and stares that very honestly say: “thank you”. The class has been so rewarding. I cannot explain the feelings I get every time a child places their mind and heart so openly before me, in an entirely vulnerable state, trusting me. What I can explain is that somehow I have known what to say. I feel that the harmony of this place, the many hours of personal time and spiritual reflection I have had and my many interactions with these children have all contributed to those truly unique and gratifying exchanges. We are now creating a piece in which some of the children will be reading a script that we all wrote together, others will be acting it out and others will be dancing. In the past year or so you may have heard me say: The arts can be a powerful catalyst for empowerment. I believe that now more than ever. As they create art, inexplicably beautiful art, I have seen these kids reassured that they are not ‘untouchable’, that they can get past their traumas and sufferings, and that they can not only dare to dream but strive to live up to their dreams.

On a different note, this past Tuesday, Dr. George in company of his youngest son Vivek, his niece Maleka and her husband Arnold, and the entire community at Shanti-Bhavan participated in a moving ceremony to burry the ashes of his father, Mr. Mathew George, in front of the peaceful Prayer Hall on campus. The 300 or so people were all wearing white and we were all asked to hold rose pedals that we then threw on top of the tomb where they buried his ashes. The ceremony was accompanied with beautiful music; a few hymns were sung by Maleka who is actually an opera singer and violinist in Paris and came here for this ceremony and to visit the children for the 3rd time…it was such an honor to witness such talent. The four family members spoke beautifully about the legacy of this man who truly seemed to be an exceptional person. Before his death at the age of 97, he asked to be buried in Shanti-Bhavan because he believed there was no other place as special and as transcendent as this one. They also planted a tree in his honor and two of the younger children planted it. It was a very ceremonial and touching day for all here at Shanti-Bhavan.

Another particular happening this week was Miss blue Jay’s turn at “The News Today”. Every day at the morning assembly a teacher gives a summary of the news that day. My turn was this past Thursday. There is a TV in the teacher’s commons with dish network that I had not yet used. The night before I sat in front of the TV watching CNN and BBC. Although it was relaxing to just sit in front of the television with a cup of tea and no ruckus is the background, I left the commons completely depressed. The news is all about deaths, and lack of diplomacy, and bombs, and more deaths. The next morning I was in charge of informing the school of the scary deal signed between Rice and Sikurski to establish the US missile base in Poland. What is happening to this world yet again? Does THE COLD WAR come to mind? Lets pray this doesn’t break out into a calamity.
On a lighter note, I also informed them that India has won three medals at the Beijing Olympics already ensuring that India will return with its biggest Olympic Medal haul ever. That’s cool.

All right lovely people,

Many hugs and much love,

Until soon.