Monthly Archives: May 2009

Permalink to Human Potential

Human Potential

by admin|on May 30, 2009 |in Thoughts |tagged , , , , , |Leave a comment 


Never Under-estimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.”


- Wilma Rudolph


As I walked into the arena with 50,000 pairs of eyes watching me I felt a sense of awe. For years I had trained, failed and succeeded and every moment had prepared me for this one. As I looked around the course I turned my focus to my horse and the course lying before me. I was competing at the most renowned competition in the field of Show Jumping: The Grand Prix of Aachen, in Germany.


Athletes often speak of “the zone” – a state of pure focus; optimal for peak performance. On the day of competition you have done all the preparation – the training is behind you – now it is up to you to rise to the occasion and enjoy the fruits of your labor.


Over the past year I have had the privilege of working with a group of women, who have been training consistently towards their running goals. Their improvement, through utilizing Keith Raniere’s patent pending technology R-Tech, has been remarkable.

Tomorrow will be a benchmark for them as they race a 5km! It is a stop along the way – in their journeys towards their own “four minute mile”. Tomorrow the crowds will turn their eyes towards them and cheer them on – and I feel as though a part of me will be running with them.

                        
        


    
    
    

    

	


	
    

    
    	
Permalink to A forgotten Nation?
    
        
A forgotten Nation?


        


            by admin|on May 25, 2009
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naartsfest01


“You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man’s freedom. You can only be free if I am free.” 


- Clarence Darrow


In 1493 Christopher Columbus returned to Spain with tales of a discovery of the “New World”. This “New World” was the discovery of what is now known as America, a land that had been long inhabited by a civilization of self sufficient and spiritually evolved human beings. This discovery marked the inception of a new era for this civilization – the need to fight for their heritage and right to live freely in a country that was their home.


The catastrophic clash between the “Native American’s” and European American societies maybe one of the most well hidden, under publicised atrocities of the world today.


When the colonies revolted against the United Kingdom and established the United States of America – the idea of “Manifest Destiny” became an integral part of the American nationalist movement. Manifest Destiny (1845) was a term coined to explain/justify the American expansion and invasion into Native American territory. The American government took it upon themselves to capture the children of the natives and sent them to boarding schools where they were forbidden to speak their native language, denied the right to practise their religions and forced to abandon their Native American Identities. This process was deemed “naturalisation” and mandatory for Native Americans to become citizens of the “New” America – a country they had inhabited for centuries.


The Native American people of today’s world are still struggling to keep their traditions alive. Over time their land has continued to be captured and their way of life controlled and suppressed by the American Government.


We had the privilege of meeting and learning from Russell and Pearl Means and Phyllis Young during our inaugural WEFC event. They shared a unique perspective on life and a culture so few of us have ever heard of. The Native American way of life promotes compassion and respect for all life. They believe in a Matriarch system – a system provides for a strong, compassionate, peaceful and harmonious foundation. It is a tremendous tragedy we have oppressed a civilization we could learn and benefit greatly from. How different could our world be if we were able to let go of our fears and live peacefully amongst one another recognising our differences are blessings as each individual, race, culture, religion and country brings something unique, and potentially beneficial to all of humanity.

                        
        


    
    
    

    

	


	
    

    
    	
Permalink to Nature
    
        
Nature


        


            by admin|on May 24, 2009
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loopypetals


“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better”. 


- Albert Einstein


As summer is here I am once again reminded of the incredible cyclical process of death and re-birth. I am constantly amazed and in wonder of this amazing place we are privileged to inhabit.

The majority of my childhood, I was either playing with horses, out in the fields or exploring in the woods. I grew up on a farm outside a little village called Hartest in the lush English countryside. This is where my curiousity and love of nature began. Over the years I have always turned to nature to find a sense of peace within my self – whether it is hiking in the Himalayas, sitting on a fallen tree in a forest in Australia, galloping through the fields on a horse or lying on my hammock in my current suburban neighborhood staring up at the trees. There is perfection to nature I have not yet found in humans (or perhaps myself) – where I find myself in awe. Have you ever looked at a flower and been amazed by the symmetry, by the intimate and delicate design of every petal? When I was about nine years old I remember spending what seemed like several hours watching an army of ants cross a dirt track somewhere in Kenya. They all seemed to know exactly where they were going, and I perceived they knew why! I found it fascinating.

Because of my deep sense of love for nature, I focused my philanthropic tendencies towards trying to save forests and animals. One day a good friend of mine asked me what the world would be like if humans never interfered with nature – my face lit up, and with a huge smile I described lush forests, with flowers and animals thriving! She then asked me what the problem was; nature or the treatment of nature by humans?


Treat the earth well.

It was not given to you by your parents,

It was loaned to you by your children.

We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors,

We borrow it from our children.



- Ancient Indian Proverb


I sincerely hope we can evolve our way of thinking and transform to be a more mindful, ecological race living in harmony with ourselves, each other and with nature, I would love to return this earth to our children, and inspire them to seek awe and beauty through it.

                        
        


    
    
    

    

	


	
    

    
    	
Permalink to The meaning of Friend
    
        
The meaning of Friend


        


            by admin|on May 23, 2009
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“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born” – Anais Nin


I was talking with someone I consider a friend last night about the concept of a friend – how do you define friend? I think most of the time we tend to get caught up in the traffic of our own lives – work, relationships, family stuff – and we tend to forget the people around us until something happens at which point our help, support and care is needed. In those times we can change our perception of humanity. Being the one in need, we expose where we are most vulnerable, and being the person to help we learn what it is to care, and through projection we are able to experience both. Can you imagine if we lived such a way without needing tragedy to inspire it? If everyday through genuine care and genuine vulnerability we en-richen our experience of being human and break down the barriers of fear? 

When I was living in Germany during my show-jumping career, I remember a very dear friend of mine used to call me everyday – just to check in. To me, it was one of the greatest gifts someone could ever give me. Despite feeling very clear and motivated as to why I chose to be so far away – there was something missing; friendship – a nurturing of my soul. I am forever grateful for Pamela Cafritz for her love and care during that time and for creating a new world for me – a world where people care.

                        
        


    
    
    

    

	


	
    

    
    	
Permalink to Wise Words..
    
        
Wise Words..


        


            by admin|on May 18, 2009
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Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear. 


~Ambrose Redmoon


“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”


 ~Mahatma Gandhi 


In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

~ Albert Einstein



                        
        


    
    
    

    

	


	
    

    
    	
Permalink to Courage in the face of injustice
    
        
Courage in the face of injustice


        


            by admin|on May 16, 2009
                            |in humanity, quotes, Remarkable People
                        
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Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi


There are few individuals who have the strength to uphold their principles in the face of violence and oppression. Aung San Suu Kyi is such a person. British Prime Minister,Gordon Brown said “Suu Kyi’s courage is the courage to sacrifice her own happiness and a comfortable life so that, through her struggle, she might win the right of an entire nation to seek happy and comfortable lives. It is the absolute expression of selflessness. Paradoxically, in sacrificing her own liberty, she strengthens its cry and bolsters its claim for the people she represents”



Today, Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has spent 13 years and 204 days in detention.


Her “crime”?


Believing in human rights and having the courage and strength to uphold her ideals.


Since winning the presidential election by an 82% margin in 1990, Aung San Suu Kyi has spent over 19 years in and out of detained arrest. Since her original detention the military regime has continued to make excuses to continue her detention. This year is no exception. May 27th, 2009, was to be the end of this long endured injustice, however on May 14th 2009, Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested for allegedly breaching the terms of her arrest after an uninvited American man broke into her home. She was taken to Insein Prison; notorious for its horrific conditions and abusive treatment of detainees, she is being denied medical treatment by her captors who are aware of her fragile health.


I think Aung San Suu Kyi herself describes this injustice profoundly in her “Freedom From Fear” Address: “It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.” 


The question remains: How can we transform this fear, disseminate the need for power over others and build our own inner strength? 


www.burmacampaign.org.uk

                        
        


    
    
    

    

	


	
    

    
    	
Permalink to Albert Einstein
    
        
Albert Einstein


        


            by admin|on May 16, 2009
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Albert Einstein, 1921
Albert Einstein, 1921


“The ideals which have always shone before me and filled me with the joy of living are goodness, beauty, and truth. To make a goal of comfort or happiness has never appealed to me; a system of ethics built on this basis would be sufficient only for a herd of cattle.” 


Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist. He was a man of incredible intelligence who was hugely driven toward furthering humanity. His many, theories, discoveries and scientific-written works earned him the admiration of the world – in 1999 he was named Person of the Century by Time magazine.


Einstein lived through an era of much oppression and violence- he chose to use his standing in the world to provoke thought and promote peace. He flouted the ascendant Nazi movement and tried to be a voice of moderation in the tumultuous formation of the State of Israel, he also braved anti-communist politics and resistance to the civil rights movement in the United States.


Today, as a society, we have made incredible advancements technologically, our quality of life, by some standards, has increased dramatically, however we are also enduring times of immense violence, oppression and poverty. In many ways our current lifestyles shield us from the atrocities in the world. Most of us live relatively comfortable lives – and when we do see violence in the news or on a movie screen it is so far removed from us it ceases to exist the minute we turn off the screen. The fundamental question remains – if we pretend such atrocities do not exist – will they disappear? How long can we continue living our comfortable lives before the violence ends up on our back door? Recently I have spent time with some of my Mexican and Tibetan friends – it is so sad to hear their stories yet so beautiful to watch them stand up for what they believe is right. I have watched them transform as individuals – gain a strength within themselves – a deep understanding of who they are and what is important to them. I believe if each of us stood up for something we believe in everyday the world would be a very different place.




What will it take for us – who live comfortably, shielded from the violence, to stand up?

                        
        


    
    
    

    

	


	
    

    
    	
Permalink to “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”
    
        
“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”


        


            by admin|on May 13, 2009
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images


If there is one person in the world who truly represents a non-violent stand against injustice, it is Mahatma Ghandi.  He was the pioneer of satyagraha—resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, firmly founded upon ahimsa or total non-violence—which led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.


Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for easing poverty, expanding women’s rights, building religious and ethnic amity, ending untouchability, increasing economic self-reliance, but above all achieving Swaraj—the independence of India from foreign domination.


Ghandi swore to always speak the truth and encouraged others to do the same. His dedication to his principles earned him his place in history as an icon for non-violent revolution.

                        
        


    
    
    

    

	


	
    

    
    	
Permalink to In LaK’ech
    
        
In LaK’ech


        


            by admin|on May 11, 2009
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n34964518941_1261Last year a group of people, who I am honored to say are some of my closest friends came to Keith Raniere for advice. Violence and Mexico are two words that have long been paired together; they decided that something needed to be done. It was time to reclaim their culture and put an end to the violence.


With Keith’s help, this group of committed humanitarians have developed the In Lak’ech movement, a non-violent movement, which seeks to “reduce fear and violence through community participation, expression, organization and community work”. With several projects already underway, and an ever growing number of followers – In Lak’ech is making strides towards change: bringing back a sense of community, a sense of pride in the beauty of the Mexican people. In Lak’ech is a noble cause both Sara and I’s foundation; The Ethical Humanitarian Foundation, are proud to wholeheartedly support.


www.inlakech.org.mx

                        
        


    
    
    

    

	


	
    

    
    	
Permalink to His Holiness inspires us to evaluate
    
        
His Holiness inspires us to evaluate


        


            by admin|on May 10, 2009
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Photography by Michael Eldredge




His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit has come and gone, and I believe left a distinct impression on those of us directly involved in his visit, those who came to, or saw, his public talk, our entire community and I believe the world. For me he leaves an impression of nobility. His leadership is exemplary; his firm commitment to uphold the values he deeply expresses despite adversity is such an inspiration to me. His ability to balance being firm, direct, compassionate, humorous and humble is remarkable – something I hope to learn from and grow with in myself. 


 


Due to the on going struggle several of my closest friends and I have here in Albany – how we have been portrayed in the media – his visiting and message was particularly moving. His coming brought about a certain contradiction: what is written about NXIVM, Keith, Sara and myself in the press – being labeled as a cult – and a world leader showing his support for us after thorough investigation. 


 


How do you resolve such a contradiction?