By the time I’d learned of the Animal Vegan Advocacy (AVA) Summit in Washington DC the weekend of Oct 20-24, (Thursday - Monday) the deadline to register for a reduced rate room at the Hilton Mark Hotel where the Summit was being held, had long passed. No way could I afford $350/night. Even the $159 reduced rate was steep. And this was in addition to the $400 for the conference itself. “Is this only for rich people?” I thought. That was the first of a series of obstacles that challenged my resolve and pushed me to prayer. I needed to find a way.
When my knee broke in late December 2021, after my chin up bar jumped out of its holder and dropped me to my knees, I spent the next few months recovering and beginning the memoir I’d wanted to write for decades. By the time of the Summit, I’d written the bulk of it and wanted to engage interest from like minded people. Having barely ventured out of my NYC Harlem neighborhood for much of my recovery time, getting on a bus to Washington DC to attend this major Animal Rights Summit, was a big deal. Like a bear out of hibernation shaking off a long slumber, I peered out my cave.
The Future is Now
My vision of the world is one in which animals are respected and honored; in which people are healthy, happy and long lived; and in which the abundance of the plant universe fills our every need. In this envisioned world, the thought of harming any sentient being is an anathema. Children grow up eating from the abundance of the plant universe - grains, beans, lentils, greens, fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds. Cows, pigs, chickens, fishes are allowed to live their lives without interference from humans, neither confined, castrated nor killed. Milk meant for baby calves goes … to baby calves. They are allowed to form natural bonds. Hens stretch their wings and gather their newly hatched chicks under them. Our fellow sister brother earthlings are cared for as kin.
The idea of being in the presence of a thousand people with the same vision, people who like myself are dedicated to ending the oppression of our sister and brother animals and thereby wars, starvation, disease and misery, thrills me. I am determined to overcome all obstacles.
A Room of her Own
As I prepared to venture forth and make this weekend a reality, thorny shrubs grab at me and test my resolve. Not only does the hotel have no rooms at the reduced rate, but they have NONE at all - neither at full NOR reduced rate.
Time to panic! I’m longing to go, but circumstances are shouting “not so fast lady!” Brambles and prickly shrubs menaced sharp pointy thorns.
With only two weeks before the start and panic causing me to vacillate, I decided to replace my fear and frenzy with prayer and visualization. In my long history of applying the science of mind and mystical truths to all kinds of situations, I’d had enough successes to know how well it works. Each circumstance, however, presents its own challenge.
For this one, I pictured the hotel or Animal Vegan Advocacy (AVA) summit coordinator informing me I indeed DID have a room for the four nights at the reduced rate and with a roommate to boot. As is part of the science and method, I give thanks and conjure up feelings of joy, as if my wish has already been granted. In a sense, it has, at least in the realm of mind and emotions. With calm and resolve, I now take the necessary (baby and big) steps to make this a reality.
I contact the hotel and the AVA logistics person, post on the AVA community bulletin board and share on Facebook. I do this several times a day, every day, that whole week.
The result? Nothing! No room, no roommate, no luck, no nothing. Just as my faith begins to waver, a room finally, finally DOES open up AND it IS at a reduced rate. Thank you dear Universal Mind, Cosmic Intelligence! Obstacle #1 overcome: Thorn bush evaded; Prayer #1 answered and …what I consider Miracle #1
Turns out it’s only for Friday and Saturday, not Thursday and Sunday, for which I’d booked the bus. Back to prayer, visualizing and repeatedly requesting a room at the reduced rate at least for Thursday.
Only a few days before the event, as my anxiety again begins to mount and my faith to waver, the AVA coordinators email: A room for Thursday at the reduced rate finally HAS opened up. I was set for at least the three main nights. Thank you Great Spirit, Divine Consciousness. Obstacle overcome. Prayer answered and … Miracle #2
Still the question of a roommate. On the community bulletin board, I notice a videographer needs a room. He wasn’t coming to attend events, but to interview speakers for his Youtube Channel “Vegan Linked,” https://www.youtube.com/c/VeganLinked.working.
His work will take the pressure off me to film for MY weekly TV show and Youtube channel (Reaching Out for Animal Rights - ROAR!). I decide to share my room gratis and perhaps receive a hefty dose of good karma. Roommate prayer answered and miracle #3
Busing with Buddies
I arrive at 34th Street and 11th Avenue, early that Thursday morning, way before the Megabus is scheduled to leave. This allows me time to leaflet and “vegangelize” (vee-GAN-gel-lize) passengers waiting on line.
When boarding begins, I mount to the top of the double decker, drop my backpack on a window seat and descend to the bottom. I walk to the front and address the 22 seated people. In my little speech, I offer a leaflet and film/book list and invite my fellow riders to consider choosing a plant-based vegan way of living and eating - for health, animals and planet. Then I return to the top and do the same to the crowd of 59. Whether or not a person has taken a leaflet and film/book list, they’ve at least heard the invitation.
As I make my way down the aisle enumerating the benefits of veganism, I notice my activist buddy, Royce.
When the bus starts moving, he sits next to me, with his phone pinned to his ear. He’s directing our mutual activist friend, Kimari, to catch the bus as it’s already left the loading area. Miraculously, Kimari appears before us, as it turns the bend towards the highway. Thank you One Mind, for Kimari somehow mounting a moving bus and for answering my unspoken prayer - to travel to and navigate DC with friends. Miracle #4.
Corona - the Sun’s Colorful Crown and Big Pharma’s Cash Crop
As we ride past the blur of colorful trees, sun easing down for the gentle afternoon, we share our lives, meditate, eat and consider what to do after Kimari informs us that the Summit is requiring proof of a negative rapid Covid test. I’d received proof over a week earlier, when my sister requested it for a family gathering. As a senior on Medicare, the kit was free.
The four hours seem to pass quickly. After disembarking at the DC bus station, we walk to the “nearest” CVS pharmacy which isn’t near at all and a few blocks along, Royce takes pity and unloads my heavy backpack off my shoulder and onto his.
Waiting on the line at CVS, I relieve Royce of the backpack and put it on a vacant chair. Finally, it’s our turn. We’re told they no longer give out free test kits to seniors and instead it’ll cost $24 a kit or $48 for two. Discouraged by the high price, we decide to wait till we’re at the conference to see how insistent they are about the tests.
Did I Forget my Left Elbow or Some Other Attachment?
From the CVS, we share an Uber and arrive at the hotel around 3:00, in good time to hear presentations and intermingle. As we turn towards the desk to pick up our room keys, I think how nice it is to no longer lug around my suitcase, shoulder bag and backpack, Backpack?!? Where IS my backpack? I ask Royce. He doesn’t have it. Kamari? No.
I panic. Not only does it contain my computer and power cord, but also the expensive wireless headphones my son gave me.
One of my mottos is “When in doubt … cry. ” Emotionally fitting, it isn’t appropriate, so I recall another, “When in doubt … pray.”
I visualize the backpack safely returned to my possession. With my anxiety calmed, I ask Royce, “Where could my backpack be? In the Uber?”
He calls the driver. Nope, not there. The only other place it could be is at the pharmacy on that chair. Yes! CVS! the chair! I think “Oh dear! Anybody could easily walk off with it.” I force my mind to recall the visualization - “backpack safely returned.”
For many years I’ve studied how “The Mind” (All that IS) is One Integrated Whole and we are part of It and It, part of us. I learned how our subconscious is a pathway through which “It” operates on us and we on “it.” In this way, our thoughts, beliefs, emotions interact with the Living Whole Being and allow us to shape our experiences and our world. As Mike Dooley (of TUT.com) says “Thoughts become Things and our Words Give Us Wings.”
For that reason, I steadily and regularly hold the vision of a vegan world - one of peace, justice, equality, health, sustainability and love. Seeing (envisioning) this buoys my spirit and keeps me motivated and active. I use this same tool of mind-manifesting for all my needs, major and minor.
As I again affirm “my backpack is now safely returned,” I take a breath and call the drug store.
“Lost and found? Did you find a back pack?”
“Color?”
“Black”
“It’s here. Behind the front counter.”
I’m overjoyed and deeply relieved.
“When will you come?”
“Immediately!”
I hop into the Uber car waiting outside.
During our long ride there (and back) I get to know the driver, vegangelize and give him leaflets and a film/book list. All strangers I meet are subjected to this. Most are receptive; others …not so much. This driver seems happy for any conversation and making ethical, healthy, earth sustaining choices is as pertinent a topic as any.
He parks a little ways off and I dash to the CVS, through the automated doors and return breathless with the backpack safely in hand. “What’s your hurry?” the driver asks.
“That’s my middle name,” I say. With the bag on the seat beside me, safely back in my possession, I give thanks to the Whole (holy) One! Another prayer answered. Miracle #5
Positively Negative
After all this, we still don’t know how we’re going to show a negative test result when we hadn’t purchased the expensive kits. We needed to register but without the test results, how?
Many of us (and millions all over the world) don’t believe in the germ theory of disease, that bacteria, parasites, germs, viruses etc are the primary cause of illness. These pathogens are all around and inside us. We believe that the way to stay healthy is to build our immune systems. Many notice that not once during the pandemic did we hear anything about eating plant foods, getting sufficient sleep and exercise, maintaining a positive disposition or any other way to strengthen our resistance.
We showed signs of sickness nor were known to be immune compromised, so finally, with prayer and faith in others, we shared a photo of a positively negative test result. Another problem solved. Thank you “god of small things” and smart thinking and for Miracle #6.
Step Out of Bed and Turn the World on Its Head
The Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland asks Alice if she stands on her head. This can be interpreted as asking - Does she think for herself? Does she see or envision the world as it should be - right side up?
As has been my routine for decades, I awake early each summit morning, spread a towel on the rug and raise my legs into … a head stand. Yes, Cheshire Cat. I DO stand on my head; from there I move into the scorpion; and head still off the floor, the candle.
I was told in the 60’s, when, whatever another hippie told you was unquestionably true, that for every five minutes upside down, one needs an hour less sleep. Like a bat, sloth or chrysalis, I therefore hang upside down like that for at least five minutes stretching my legs, back, face, even the muscles of my eyes. From headstand to cobra, to leg lifts, plough and finally the corpse. Flat on my back, I meditate for 20+ minutes. Instead of coffee, this routine is the rocket fuel igniting my day.
Pushing people’s buttons
As a vegan of over four decades and a non meat-eater of five, I’ve been known to push people’s buttons … and other buttons as well.
At the elevators on our 13th floor, I push the down button on all four elevators. Then I pace back and forth, push, pace and repeat. I excuse this odd behavior as a NYC thang.
“Scientific studies have irrefutably shown,” I assure those watching,“that pushing and pacing 60% of the time makes the elevator come 30% faster, relieving impatience and anxiety 45% better than simply standing still.”
Where to give an Elevator Pitch?
Finally, the shiny doors open, exposing the golden polished insides and a gaggle of sleepy happy faces. Hanging from their necks are the tags branding them as Animal Vegan Advocacy Summit participants. I enter and give my …you guessed it …“elevator pitch:”
“Would you like to sign my email list about the publication of my memoir, describing my 50 year journey becoming an animal liberationist, starting with my work in a revolutionary organization closely allied with the Black Panther Party; then with a mystical non-denominational Christian order; then to becoming a mom; and finally to being a dedicated vegan animal liberationist.
As I pitch and the elevator descends, I myself am uplifted by the warm-hearted responses:
“I love memoirs. I’m sure yours’ll be great.”
“Looking forward to it coming out.”
“Can’t wait to read it”
“Working the Rooms”
As a child. I’m extremely shy and withdrawn When our father picks up my older sister and me each weekend, I don’t open my mouth the whole time even when he and his second wife have two more children.
Nonetheless, after intermittent years of one kind of therapy or another and decades of dedicated activism, I’ve been able overcome my shyness and muster the courage to speak even before large crowds.
At the summit, the response is positive:
“I love your enthusiasm and excitement.” “Your energy is beautiful and contagious.” “I want what you had for breakfast.”
I Look at All the Lovely People
While running from one event to another and engaging in conversations in the corridors and at meals, I sign up more people to my e-list. My goal is to sign up at least 100 people and by the end, I count 170. Miracle # 7
With the catalyst of my e-list, I meet one extraordinary person after another. The following speakers come to mind:
I’m happy to meet Chris “Soul” Eubanks whom I’ve met before but appreciated meeting again. Chris “Soul” founded and now directs APEX, which is committed to increasing the number of BIPOC activists from the global majority who participate in animal activism, by raising awareness of the impact animal oppression has on our entire society. Chris also helped organize the first animal rights march in Atlanta.
Over lunch, I chat with Naijha Wright Brown, co-founder of vegan soul food bistro “The Land of Kush” in Baltimore, MD. We bond over being native New Yorkers. She’s also the Executive Director of the Black Veg Society; co-creator of Vegan Soul Fest, MD; Vegan Restaurant Week; and has a digital talk show, Naijha Speaks!
Ryuji Chao made the powerful film “How Conscious Can A Fish Be?” It moved me to tears. It also moved the producers of the “The Daily Show” to invite him to be interviewed by Trevor Noah. I’d heard Ryuji speak at last year’s NYC Animal Rights Rally and was thrilled to receive his positive response to my future memoir.
Renee King-Sonnen, with her husband, a former cattle rancher, founded Rowdy Girl Sanctuary. As part of her Rancher Advocacy Program (RAP), she works tirelessly to help other ranchers and animal farmers transition to plant based farming. I appreciated her warm response to my nascent book as well as her Texas, down-home, can-do spirit.
I had purposely planned my stay Sunday night into Monday so I could hear the presentatio 15 year old Genesis Butler. Genesis stopped eating dead animals “meat” at age three, went vegan at age six and inspired by her great uncle, civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, became one of the youngest people to give a TedX Talk at age 10. At age 12, she challenged the Pope to go vegan for lent in return for $1,000,000 to a charity of his choice. She’s also founder of Youth Climate Save (YCS) which points to a vegan diet as a major solution to the climate crisis. I appreciated her staying after her talk to converse with me and others.
After his presentation, I spoke with Dr Faraz Harsini Founder and CEO of Allied Scholars for Animal Protection (ASAP). His speech was moving. Yes, again I wiped away tears. He described the repression of gay men in Iran with photos of hangings and he easily linked this denial of rights and killings to the horrors, injustices and killing of our animal kin.
I heard Miyoko Schinner speak on several platforms at the summit (and elsewhere) and am continually impressed with her smarts, positive energy and expertise. She’s an entrepreneur, chef, cookbook author and perhaps most importantly founder of the dairy-free goods company, Miyoko's Creamery. With a dream, passion and goal, she’s forged quite a path.
Gene Baur is an author, activist and president and co-founder of the Farm Sanctuary, the founding farm animal sanctuary, started in 1986. It was originally funded by sales of vegetarian hot dogs at Grateful Dead concerts. Gene’s been called the "conscience of the food movement" by Time magazine and his kind, positive and patient disposition even won over Fox’s Tucker Carlson.
Brenda Sanders is a vegan food justice activist who co-founded Thrive Baltimore is executive director Afro-Vegan Society, co-creator Vegan SoulFest and co-owner of The Greener Kitchen. I’d interviewed her after her presentation in NYC at NYU many years back and it was good to see her again.
Kate Clere and Mick McIntyre are the wife and husband team who created EATING PLANTS, a new series of six films (more coming) in which they travel the world and explore the benefits of plant foods, a variety of products, restaurants and experts in the field. I enjoyed the films as well as the Q&A period. Kate generously brainstormed book titles with me.
It was neat to see Brialle Ringer again after recently being introduced to her at the NYC Vegandale Food Festival.
With a degree in Social Work, Brialle is a holistic health coach, director of Global Majority Caucus, Be Well with Brialle and APEX Advocacy. She views personal transformation as an integral part of collective liberation.
Haruko Kawano whom I had the pleasure of meeting during meal time is with VegeProject Japan.
Eloisa Trinidad, with whom I’m happy to do activism in NYC, is founder & executive director of Vegan Activist Alliance.
There was also:
Melanie Joy, a social psychologist, author and founder of Beyond Carnism
Dr Michael Greger, creator of NutritionFacts.org, author of “How Not to Die,” presenter with a great sense of humor
Leah Garces, president of Mercy for Animals
Julia Reinelt, organizer of the AVA Summit along with Michael Webermann, also MC
Ashley Byrne, associate director of campaigns - PeTA
Almira Tanner, lead organizer of DxE
Dawn Moncrief, Founder/President of A Well-Fed World
Eric C Lindstrom, Executive Director of Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM)
I was impressed also to meet people from all parts of the world, China, India, Japan, the Philippines, Mexico, Central and South America and dozens of other places.
In the large conference lobby, I recognized Sarina Farb, scientist, educator, speaker and activist. I’d seen her on Will Tuttle’s summit about “plants over pills” and “people over big pharma profits.” She was born and raised vegan and is founder of “www.bornvegan.org;” co-founder and co-host of the 2020 Climate Diet Summit and host of a plant-based science and policy TV show. She shared her plans to travel the country in a camper and speak where invited raising awareness about our current food system.
When I met and pitched to Molly Elwood on my first elevator ride, she gave me her Elwood’s Organic Dog Farm flyer (ElwoodDogMeat.com). She confessed to wanting to write an Animal Rights horror film. I thought “great idea.” I call the brutal business “animal agri-torture” and “animal agri-slaughter.” I’m currently reading a Stephen King thriller fantasy sci fi novel and coming up with a few “thrilling” AR film ideas myself. Join the brainstorming if you dare.
The Elders
Being only one of maybe four white haired attendees, I was delighted to be welcomed at the table of Maria Vigo McMacken. The mother of Dr Michelle McMacken, a vegan doctor in NYC whom I’d enjoyed hearing speak at veg food festivals, Maria, herself, is a phenom. At 78, she teaches health and fitness classes; has an MS in Physiological Chemistry and wrote Renew and Flourish. We had a blast getting to know one another.
Karaoke
Saturday 9-11 pm was Karaoke night and I thought “This is for the young folk.” I went by the “Arbor” room, heard the music and poked my head in. I took another step and then another and somewhere between the entrance and the gyrating bodies, I remembered how much I love to dance! Elated, I joined in and boogied with abandon in rhythm with the joyous bodies around me.
With a side dish of…
I have to mention that the food was delicious and plentiful. As soon as platters were near empty, servers swooped in to replace them. Besides the three hearty daily (eat as much as you like) meals, they served a rich afternoon snack. I ate sumptuously and shamelessly, paying dearly for it later.
Sleeping only a few hours Saturday and Sunday nights and over eating dishes with their S.O.S. (Salty Oily and Sweet) additions that I usually avoid, by my return in the downpour Monday evening, my immune system was quite compromised. My body used every oriface to expel and cleanse. Instead of immediately writing this article, I was for three days and nights forced to rest and recuperate.
Working the BIG room:
On the last day, Sunday, as things were winding down, I walked around the big exhibit hall to people standing by their organization’s tables. I first approached Addison Lantz, with F.A.R.M. (Farm Animal Right Movement) who said she wanted to feature Maria Vigo McMacken and me in a video, as two (very active) “elder” activists. I’m looking forward to this.
Moving to the next table, I was delighted to meet Anita Krajnc, the founder of the Toronto Pig Save and the Animal Save movement. I’d heard so much about her and listened to her speak at the NYC AR rallies and marches. At the rally of 2018 she described how, in 2010, she’d adopted a dog and while on a walk, saw pigs looking out of trucks with terror in their eyes. Since the slaughterhouses were five minutes from her home, she started doing vigils three time a week. Others joined and the movement spread worldwide. People gave water and comfort at the trucks and also slaughterhouses where many animals were rescued.
Making Links, Breaking Chains
In that large room, I also saw Jane Velez-Mitchel, a former co-anchor on a three-hour prime time news broadcast on a local Los Angeles TV station. She is the founder of JaneUnChained and UnChainedTV, a digital news network for animal rights and veganism which uses more than 60 volunteer contributors from around the world to showcase vegan festivals, restaurants, cooking, animal rights conferences and organizations. The videos originate on the Velez-Mitchell's Facebook page, which has 16.5 million video views in 2017.
I’d always held Jane in high regard, respecting her tremendous contribution. In 2019, she came from the West Coast to NYC to show JaneUnChained’s first documentary, the newly released "Countdown to Year Zero,” featuring Dr. Sailesh Rao with ClimateHealers.org (and edited by Jeff Adams). I filmed the Q&A of Jane, Gene Baur and others - which I uploaded to my TV show and youtube channel.
Afterwards, a bunch of us went out to celebrate. Some gathered around Jane who was inviting anyone to work for/with her and capture events live wherever they lived. Although I volunteered, perhaps she didn’t heard me, because she turned away and towards a young woman and proceeded to instruct her on how to go about the work.
When I saw her in the large exhibitor’s room, I therefore hesitated to approach though I’d wanted to ask if she’d sign my e-list about my book. I stood off to the side, so you can imagine my amazement when she approached ME asking,
“Would you please take a photo of me next to my sign?”
“Sure!” I replied.
She DID sign my email list, then asked about my book and work, and even checked out my Youtube channel for which she offered excellent feedback and suggestions.
It was then that miracle, #8 occurred. She asked ME if I’d like to do newscasts for her … and her UnChained TV! She gave me one of her “UnChained TV” hats and showed me a dynamic way to introduce myself, spinning around with a NYC flair saying “Live from New Yawk City!” I was honored to be asked and I look forward to pursuing this.
Goldilocks and the Three Beds
I’d paid for a room for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights but still have no place to sleep Sunday night. As that night approaches and at a more desperate pace, I continue to ask if anyone had an empty bed.
My prayer and visualization were for BOTH my previous roommate and me to have a room IN the hotel, EACH with our OWN bed, as we’d had the past three nights.
I do receive offers, one in someone’s home and another on a rollaway cot, but these don’t fulfill my actual prayer. As evening turns into night my prayerful vision seems like a mirage.
Bedder Late than Neveh
At 8:00 pm, Sunday evening, I see my roommate seated with a man and two women. I join them.
The man says “I have a meeting early tomorrow and it’d be quicker to leave from home. Soooo, one of you can have my hotel bed.”
His roommate chimes in, “I too have work early tomorrow and will likewise sleep at home. The other of you can have mine.”
Another perfect answer to a seemingly impossible prayer! Thank you One Mind! One Spirit! Miracle #9!
The Great Debate
It was then that one of the videographers asks if he could interview me.
“Sure! Fine!” I answer.
i raced after him as he zipped down a long hall. He’s set up the media room as if for a press conference. There’s cameras, other impressive equipment, an umbrella sized light which is shining down on a large cushioned chair for me.
“This man works hard,” I thought “seemingly nonstop.” I am surprised however when his questions wander down paths perhaps neither of us expected.
I was coming from decades of fighting for the rights of African Americans, immigrants, prisoners, LGBTQ people, women, workers (etc) AND animal rights. And he was coming from fighting for animal rights AS WELL AS the point of view: “Why can’t ‘they’ just pull themselves up by their bootstraps like I did?”
He shared his own story - a dysfunctional family, hardships growing up poor, doing manual labor. He reasoned “with all my misery and obstacles, I was still able to work my way through college; get a degree in psychology; maintain a career in social services; marry; have a kid; and buy a house. If I could do that, why can’t everyone else?”
How to explain the nature of capitalism and how it pits worker against worker, race against race, men against women, native born against immigrants, as it goes about extracting wealth, exploiting whomever and laughing all the way to the bank. I tried to present the historical fact of slavery and the negative impact it, jim crow and segregation had on African Americans and in turn, all workers.
Racism, like Speciesism, is a Social Construct
It’s hard for my interviewer to face his white privilege and the racial disparities inherent in our society. He thinks of racism only as individual prejudice and certainly, he insists, HE isn’t prejudiced. Neither, he thought, were most others. I tried to make the distinction between institutionalized racism and individual prejudices.
I told him about the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act which established federal standards for minimum wage and overtime pay, but excluded millions of domestic and agricultural workers, overwhelmingly black.
I told him about the G.I. Bill which allowed Vet Administration counselors to steer black veterans into trade schools instead of academic ones and away from skilled, professional jobs into menial ones. They couldn’t obtain home loans.
I explained about the 13th amendment, which ended slavery except … as punishment for a crime, thus insuring a large and growing (mostly black) prison population from which capitalists could exploit unpaid slave labor.
I shared about the racist police policies which target black, hispanic and poor communities, starting with Nixon’s War on Drugs (1971). As reported in Harpers, in a newly discovered decades old interview, Nixon’s aide, John Ehrlichman said ``We knew we couldn't make it illegal to be either against the (Vietnam) war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities.” I told him about housing discrimination and jobs requiring applicants to check “the box” admitting to a criminal record.
In the end, my interviewer remarked that by sharing all these historical facts, I’d presented a good case. He said the interview/debate gave him something to think about. It did me too.
Four hours later, at around 1 am, I couldn’t hold my eyelids up. We ended. I counted this interchange Miracle #10
The Morning After - Concierge Kindness
The Concierge guys, Ibrahim, Christopher and Alal all hear my invitation to consider choosing veganism and accept the leaflet and film/book slip promising to check them out. Christopher gives me enough good-bye hugs to last the whole journey home.
I talk with Alal about each of us being different light facets of one diamond. He asks if I’d ever read The Celestine Prophecies.
“Yes, in 1993,” I answered, “shortly after it first came out.”
Written as a novel it follows the narrator to Peru as he attempts to discover spiritual truths revealed in an ancient text. It stayed on the NY Times best seller list for just shy of three years.
The concierge, Alil, seemed pleased I’d read it and asked if I’d also read The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle. I hadn’t but had however read enough of a similar nature to last a lifetime.
At 29, this best selling author thought “i can no longer live with myself.” The idea a self that couldn’t live with a seemingly other self, shook him into a profound spiritual realization of "the eternal, ever-present One Life beyond the myriad forms of life that are subject to birth and death." This #1 NYT bestselling book is a compilation of all his teachings.
As if sharing a precious secret, the concierge confides in me that these two books completely transformed his life.
At the Back of the Bus
As I sat in the back of the bus, watching the trees exude yellows, oranges and reds, I think “what an amazing and fulfilling weekend!” So many near catastrophes and disappointments averted, so many wishes fulfilled, connections made, lessons learned and visions reinforced. Here, I’ve simply used verbal snap shots to reveal what some of the most precious moments meant to me,
I hope I’ve inspired you, deepened your faith in our species and helped you advance in your journey. As we nurture each other, we nurture ourselves and all life on the planet.