Imagine 2018 for the Jewish Film Festival

Staffing "Awakened Heart" (Part 2)

[Originally written in Hebrew on Fri. Oct. 22].

This weekend I am volunteering as a staff member in the program 'Awakened Heart," the fourth weekend program on the Shambhala Warrior training. In this program you learn to listen to the heart and feel it, beating, sensitive, vulnerable and courageous.
When I first participated in the program it was a very emotional experience for me. I think I also cried a little. A good kind of healthy cry. And I really felt my heart and started noticing it more. What happens to it in different situations, how the body and the heart respond to things around, and to internal things. I started noticing its beatings, and to times it's very quiet, but still there, very busy with pumping enough blood so I will live. I don't know if I thought of all this at the time. But I felt. I experienced. I experienced the feeling of being a person with a beating heart. And to look at that.

There were more emotional and mental things that happened in that program, but you can't express them in words. These programs are very centered in the personal experience. So for each person it's a bit different, even though there are definitly things that are common among the participants.

So this weekend I am volunteering. I will help the team of people who are on the spiritual path I am on, friends for the road, as they say, sangha, community, in order to help others look deeply at the sensitivity and courage of our beating heart. When you volunteer, you also learn a lot from the experience. It is a meditative act in itself. Because while you staff the program, the awareness to yourself and others is very high, and there is a great aspiration to be very very good to others and yourself, to be of benefit, and to be kind. And then it's possible to experience this kindness within you and within others. That feels very warm. Like a warm welcoming home.

In general, this program includes- talks, a lot of sitting meditation (this is the time in which participants are reflecting, feel and experience a lot), and there is also walking meditation (sometimes even outside, in the middle of Manhattan!) and sometimes some contemplation activities. As volunteers, we prepare the food (fruits and vegtables, crackers, cheese, cookies and cakes, coffee and tea), and we also escort the participants to their interviews and meditate in between. We can listen to the talks , meditate with the group and participate in discussions.
So maybe this gives you some idea about the program. Perhaps I can add a picture here later =)

Love,
Yael

Staffing "Awakend Heart" (Part 1)

This weekend I am volunteering to staff 'Level IV' at the NYC Shambhala Center. It will be an opportunity to meditate and to allow others to meditate as well. I especially like Level IV: Awakened Heart, because when I first did it, it really did allow me to feel my heart more closely, and feel its fragility and warmth. It was very special for me, and I am happy to be there for the program to allow others to explore their own experience and maybe feel their heart throbbing inside their body too. :-)

From the Website's Program info:

In Shambhala Training Level IV, we learn how to awaken and open our hearts so that we can communicate fully with the world.

“Basic goodness is very closely connected to the idea of bodhicitta in the Buddhist tradition. Bodhi means ‘awake’ or ‘wakeful’ and citta means ‘heart,’ so bodhicitta is ‘awakened heart.’ Such awakened heart comes from being willing to face your state of mind. That may seem like a great demand, but it is necessary. The sitting practice of meditation is the means to rediscover basic goodness, and beyond that, it is the means to awaken this genuine heart within yourself.”
— Chögyam Trungpa

Budrus- Israelis & Palestinans unite for a village cause

Going tonight to see the movie 'Budrus' at Quad Cinema.



From the film's official website:

It takes a village to unite the most divided people on earth.

Budrus is an award-winning feature documentary film about a Palestinian community organizer, Ayed Morrar, who unites local Fatah and Hamas members along with Israeli supporters in an unarmed movement to save his village of Budrus from destruction by Israel’s Separation Barrier. [...more].

A Talk: The Shmbhala Buddhist Path

Going tonight to hear a talk in the Shambhala center about The Shambhala Buddhist Path: From Level I to Vajrayana.

This talk will present the Shambhala path of the warrior, the Shambhala lineage practitioner, from "Level I" weekends, and first meditation instructions, until entering the Vajrayana path, which is a more demanding, committed and advanced part of the path. Some lineages, such as the Kagyu lineage, believe that some people were incarnated in a way that enables them to start their path (in this lifetime) straight with with Vajrayana path. In Shambhala, we practice a lot of shamhata, mindfulness meditation, as a foundation before we advance to deity visualization and chants. I am writing this in a very simplistic terms, just to give a short note about it.



Quotes from the program invitation:

One key component will be an introduction to our core curriculum, The Way of Shambhala, which provides a structured path of meditation and an introduction to the foundations of Shambhala Buddhism—wisdom teachings and practices rooted in the ancient traditions of Shambhala and Tibetan Buddhism. The series of weekly courses and weekend programs integrate practice and study, exploring mindfulness-awareness meditation and teachings on contentment, joy, fearlessness, and wisdom, all with an emphasis on application in everyday life.

Shambhala Vision
Throughout history, people have aspired to create societies that express the dignity of human existence within a wise, flourishing culture. This is the vision of Shambhala - a legendary enlightened society. The first king of Shambhala is said to have receive teachings on the inseparability of spirituality and daily life directly from the Buddha. The Tibetan meditation master and founder of the Shambhala community, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, carried this tradition into the modern world. Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, his son and spiritual heir, continues this tradition.

"Seeds of Peace"- Empowering youths for coexistance

Organization's Mission:

Our mission is to help young people from regions of conflict develop the leadership skills necessary to advance reconciliation and coexistence.

Treaties are negotiated by governments; Peace is made by people.

Seeds of Peace is doing what no government can. It is sowing the seeds of peace among the next generation of leaders. It is educating them to develop empathy, respect and confidence. It is equipping them with communication and negotiation skills. It is enabling them to see the human face of their enemies. By empowering them to emerge as tomorrow’s leaders, Seeds of Peace is working to forge the personal relationships so critical to peacemaking and reconciliation.

Incredible Trailer:

Encounter Point & Burdus Trailers - Israeli-Palestinian 'Bridges'

Here's a continuation of my exploration of documentaries and online footage of Jewish Israelis and Palestinians communicating with each other in non-violent terms:






Encounter Point- Interview with producer







From the website of the The Parents Circle - Families Forum

The Parents Circle – Families Forum : Introduction

"Peace is possible when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable (…) the members of the Parents Circle have experienced this truth In the depths of their Suffering and loss. They have found that there Is more that unites us than Divides us, that we are All members of one family, the human family (…)" Desmond M. Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus
Letter to The Parents Circle – Families Forum, April 2004

It is, as far as we know, a world precedent that bereaved families, victims from both sides, embark on a joint reconciliation mission while the conflict is still active.
Consisting of several hundreds of bereaved families, half Palestinian and half Israeli, The Families Forum has played a crucial role since its inception in 1995, in spearheading a reconciliation process between Israelis and Palestinians. The Forum members have all lost immediate family members due to the violence in the region.

Voices of Tolerance in Israel

Beautiful!

Amores Perros

Tonight: Amores Perros @ IFC

Watch Trailer

One of my favorite movies, and favorite directors.

Alejandro González Iñárritu

Sweet Tweet

Today I decided to "join the conversation" and start an Twitter account.

Here's a video about how to use Twitter for research - education & technology and other subjects. Another video explains how to sign-up and use it.

Videos for Hebrew speakers:
The Marker explains what is Twitter, why and how to use it, and here's a step-by-step tutorial about how to sign up.

Anthropology of Twitter:
Twitter and the World Simulation
demonstrates the use of Twitter and Jott in the World Simulation, a radical experiment in education coordinated by Michael Wesch, Kansas State University
More about this World Simulation Project

Sign up, and follow my Twitter account!

"My So-Called Enemy"- Israeli-Palestinan attempts at bridging gaps

"My So-Called Enemy" is a kind-hearted exploration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through they eyes of 8 young Jewish & Arab women who are meeting in America in order to bridge the gap between them. I found it to show a lot of the realistic mosaic of Israeli culture, showing both the despair of being unable to bridge the gap and the hope that it is actually very possible, at least starting on the personal level.

I was very curious to see this wonderful film at the Woodstock Film Festival a few weeks ago, sitting next to filmaker Lisa Gossels. I think I was crying half of the film because I found the subject to be very emotional and personal. I would really like to share my thoughts and feelings about this film with you, but it will be a challenge. So if you're interested, check again as I will post it up later on.

For now:Movie Website- Watch Trailer & get more info.

I recommend this film for opening a discussion about the situation, and for those who wish to understand more aspects of this all-too-famous story.

Read About Seeking Common Ground and Building Bridges for Peace

Arts in process- Observation. EFA Open Studios

Going tonight, with Danny, to observe art in process.
71 artists opened up their studios for us to see.

The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts Studio Program announces Open Studios 2010

"Meet the artists. Witness the process. See where the art is created."

Opening Reception: Thursday, October 14, 6:00-10:00pm
Open Studios: Friday, October 15, 6:00-9:00pm
Open Studios: Saturday, October 16, 1:00-5:00pm

"New York- The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts annual Open Studios event offers visitors a rare portal into the artists' creative habitat and a unique opportunity for the public to witness our vibrant and diverse community of 71 contemporary artists. Rarely can the public visit so many internationally recognized artists working under one roof in the heart of Midtown Manhattan."

Official Site

The Body Has a Mind of Its Own: How Body Maps in Your Brain Help You Do (Almost) Everything Better- by Sandra Blakeslee and Matthew Blakeslee

"The Body Has a Mind of Its Own: How Body Maps in Your Brain Help You Do (Almost) Everything Better" by Sandra Blakeslee and Matthew Blakeslee, is a book I found in the Chicago O'Hare airport while waiting for the flight back to New York City.

I am very curious about it. I just started reading it, and would love to share some quotes and ideas as I go along. So for now, here's what 2 reviews wrote:

From Publishers Weekly

What do golfer's yips, the ability to see auras and the hypnotic appeal of video games all have in common? Each arises from the brain's body map. New York Times science contributor Sandra Blakeslee and her son, science writer Matthew Blakeslee, begin with a quick overview of the sense of touch. According to the Blakeslees, body maps are created by the brain, using touch, to spell out the brain's experience of the body and the space around it. These maps expand and contract to include objects such as clothing, tools or even your car. Some of the more interesting subjects the Blakeslees cover include muscle tone disorders, phantom limb sensations in amputees and the inaccurate body images associated with anorexia. Sketches and sidebars explore topics in more detail, while a glossary explains technical terms. With its breezy this is so cool style, this entertaining book will appeal to readers who prefer their science lighthearted and low-key. (Sept. 11)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

This popular synthesis of a technical field in neuroscience explores how the brain constructs its models of the body. Entangled with the perception of self, these maps are multitudinous and dynamic, as experimenters have discovered. The Blakeslees ground the idea of mental maps in the work of Wilder Penfield, a 1940s researcher whose probes on the brains of living people localized which areas of the brain represent which parts of the body. Subsequently, scientists have refined the concept of body maps, a history that binds the Blakeslees' informative explanations of specific maps, case studies, and psychic disorders. Expressed in an amiable, we're-all-in-this-together manner, their tour describes one's personal space and its extension to one's clothes, tools, instruments, and sports gear. The body in motion generates its own set of changing mental maps, distinguishing the graceful from the clumsy. Maps are plastic, report the Blakeslees, yet they also have permanence: successful dieters may still feel overweight, and amputees retain a map of the missing limb. Varied and revealing, this will intrigue readers interested in the clinical perspective on self-perception. Taylor, Gilbert --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Official Site

Buy the book on Amazon

"Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

"Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, was recommended to me by Suzanne, the sweet girlfriend of my boyfriend's flat-mate and long-time buddy, Greg.

We were talking about my interests and her studies, and she recommended this book to me, since I was talking about the 'aesthetic experience' and 'meditation' and transformative experiences, values and so on. She asked if I know of this hard-to-pronounce scholar and his theory of flow, and I didn't. She explained he writes about people's experiences after they see an art exhibition, which reminded me of Pierre Bourdieu, a sociology and education scholar I've studied about, but this was different. There would be less French complications and more down-to-earth spiritual air to this, perhaps. In any case, my eyes were wide open, my ears perked up, and I was TOTALLY interested.

Fast-forward a few weeks, and I lay my hands on a fascinating book, in the Chicago O'Hare airport - and guess what? I can hardly pronounce its author's name. Flow? I guess there aren't too many 'flow' theories out there. This is probably it!

I'm reading it like I sometimes like to read books- from the middle, back and forth, on random pages. Tasting it.
So far, it keeps me very interested and mystified!

I'd love to share what I learn from it here.


Wiki: "Flow" Psychology

Wiki: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Vid of M.C on 'Positive Psychology" [7 min.]

Vid of M.C. on "Flow Theory" [3 min.]

The book on Amazon

"If the Buddha Dated" by Charlotte Kasl

"If the Buddha Dated: A Handbook for Finding Love on a Spiritual Path" by Charlotte Kasl was given to me by a house-maid of a luxurious Southampton villa, who was inspired by Buddhism and thought I would like it. I do like it very much! I am grateful for receiving this gift from her.

Being on a spiritual path, for me, means being honest with myself and comitted to be as good as I can. To be "fully human being," as Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, my spiritual teacher, would say. So it is very interesting to explore this notion in two! How to be kind to myself by finding a partner who can be kind to himself (or herself), and how to cultivate a relationship that is deeply honest and kind.

To synchronize with our partner, it helps us if we are synchronize our own body and mind. To be authentic with our lover, we need to search for that authenticity within ourselves. And that means being brave to handle the ugly parts as well as to acknowledge the beautiful parts.

It also helps, as the book suggests and gives exercises, to know ourselves, and our values. What do we actually want, or need from a partner? What would we like to give? The clearer this is, the easier it is to see if it's a match between two people.

Ultimately, the spiritual relationship is deep, willing to cope with whatever arises, combines mind and body of the two lovers, and brings out the best of both.

What do you think or feel about this subject?

Charlotte Kasl Official Site

Buy the book on Amazon

Getting Things Done / by David Allen

"Getting Things Done - The Art of Stress-Free Productivity" by David Allen, was recommended to me by my precious friend, Michal Harari, who helps people achieve their life goals, dreams and visions.

I often find myself procrastinating, or planning to do one thing and then doing something totally else. Sometimes I have a long list of things to do and then I feel guilty about not doing those things, or not accomplishing all of them. I have gone to a time-management workshop in New York once, and it opened my mind to the possibilities of efficient planning.

This book guides us to create a system that works, and more importantly, that works for us. It explains how our brain gets in our way of "flowing" with activities and feeling great, and how we can stop interfering with this natural flow. Once we let it be, and understand how our mind actually works, in relations to goal-achievement, we can achieve a lot, and feel great and energized!

I am very interested in this idea, because I prefer doing many things and feeling energized, joyous, harmonious and flowing, rather than stuck, disappointed, frustrated, and guilt-stricken.

So, I am reading this book, trying to implement it in my life and see how it goes. So far it has been really good. Maybe I can share some quotes here, and some experiences of the process.

Recommended!

Official site

Buy the book on Amazon

My first Post as Pema Chotri

Hello World,

I am eager to share with you my fascinations and inspirations!

And I shall start right away!

Love!

Pema Chotri