Finally, we are beginning to see some serious involvement from celebrities who are taking a stand against Domestic Violence. Some are getting involved by using their own talent in sending a very clear message to the public that this kind of hate crime needs to cease and desist immediately. Below is a link for a video in which the actress Keira knightley is sending a clear message to the public in her portrayal as a victim of violence. It is shocking to see. Yet, it is happening every minute of every day to some woman or girl somewhere on the planet. Take a look:

Terming the phrase violence against women as a “crime against humanity”, Ban Ki-moon has asked world leaders to help end the “alarming” number of such cases around the world. “Violence against women cannot be tolerated, in any form, in any context, in any circumstances, by any political leader or by any government,” he said in a speech to mark International Women’s Day which is celebrated every year on the 8th of March.

But I say to you Mr Secretary General, not enough is being done to even make a dent in alleviating the suffering and humiliation that our sisters and daughters are subjected to on a daily basis. You can make all the speeches you want pledging your commitment to end the violence against women and young girls, whom are mostly war refugees. Yet, the very culprits who are committing these atrocities are not interested in listening to speeches. I doubt if they even care whom they hurt.

It seems that the only way to prevent these misogynistic acts of violence against women and girls is to keep the men away from them. Look at the areas where these abominations are taking place and you will see that they have two common denominators — poverty and tribal/religious conflict on a massive scale. Things like basic shelter, food and water are a luxury to these people. They are just trying to survive from day to day. The female refugees are always receiving the brunt of any conflict. It takes more, much more than funding and donations to pull these innocent victims out of the carnage that man has created.

According to a UNICEF report, in the world’s least developed countries, many of which are at war, women are 300 times more likely to die in childbirth or from pregnancy-related complications than in developed countries. With religious/tribal warfare and other armed conflicts affecting entire regions, women are always at risk of rape, sexual assaults and savage beatings. Many times the young girls become pregnant as a result of sexual abuse and because of insufficient security situations, these young women often have no means of safe transportation to reach proper health care facilities to give birth. As a result, a large percentage of them die during child birth.

All the declarations made by upstanding citizens of the world are not going to save the little girls or the young innocent women that will more than likely be raped, beaten or sold into prostitution tomorrow or the next day. Armed conflict and religious/tribal warfare is a disease just like AIDS and Ebola –you get rid of one and then another emerges and can be deadlier than the other. It’s not enough just to stamp out the violence in one area when another potential hotbed is surfacing. By ending the religious/tribal warfare one of the major causes of violence against women would have been rooted out. Poverty is a symptom but it is not the cause of violence. People, especially in poor countries, have proven to live together quite peacefully. But as long as leaders like Mugabe, al-Bashir, the Janjaweed militants and the Taliban are in power, the plight of the women and children who are unfortunate to live under their watch will have to live each day in fear, crying themselves to sleep, praying for help, and suffering an agonizing existence in an unsafe world run by men. As long as there is war and poverty co-existing at the same time, the violence against our sisters and daughters will not stop.

So I ask you, Mr. Secretary General, how do all the world leaders plan to root out the violence against those poor women and young girls who merely survive day-by-day?

A child’s life should be one of joy. . . and through their innocence the adults will find their own joy.

I can recall when our taxi driver turned the car down the drive-way to the Nirarta Center how my eyes widened in amazement when I saw an enormous statue of Ganesh, the Hindu deity, placed firmly at the entrance ready to greet all who had arrived. Ganesh is one of my favorite deities not only because he is widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles but he is a man with an elephant’s head, and I love elephants. My first thought when I saw that beautiful statue was that I’ve entered the magic kingdom.

The Nirarta Center is built on a ridge that overlooks a long, winding river and is surrounded by lush-green, tropical plants, exotic flowers and terraced rice fields. There are six traditionally built bungalows that can accommodate up to 22 guests. Each bungalow has upstairs and downstairs and each offers a stunning view of the tropical landscape. In the backdrop of Nirarta, on a very clear day, you can see the peak of Mt. Gunung Agung, one of Bali’s most sacred volcanoes. Because Nirarta Center is situated higher up on the island the weather is cooler with gentle breezes and soft cumulus clouds that bring the tropical rains.

Nearby is the village of Sidemen that is within easy distance to some of Bali’s well-known attractions such as, Besakih Temple, the summit climb up Gunung Agung, Tenganan and other local villages known for creating traditional painting and weaving artistry. All of these are easy day trips and can be organized through one of the staff members at Nirarta. I went a little mad looking at all the beautiful handwoven silk and cotton cloths, jewelry, carvings and paintings that if I could have, I would have bought most everything in sight. And bargaining with the Warung keepers (shop-keepers), who enjoy the art of negotiating as much as the tourists do, was also part of the wonderful Bali experience.

The group organizer of the Wellness Retreat program facilitated a solid routine of early morning breathing and stretching exercises in the Great Hall plus mid-morning and afternoon Silat Kung Fu training, as well as some evening classes for advanced students. Breakfast was served at 7:30AM. It was either ala carte or buffet meals of traditional Balinese recipes prepared with Nirarta’s organically grown vegetables and fruit. After consuming a sumptuous and healthy breakfast each participant would venture out of the centre to go exploring nearby villages or sit down at the riverbank and enjoy a cool dip in the fresh clear water until the mid-morning workout session began.

After another good sweat from a vigorous workout we would return to our rooms, shower and rest a bit. At 12:15PM we would meet at the dining area for a luncheon feast of some more traditional Balinese food. Come early afternoon or late evening I would give a therapeutic massage to one of the attendees in a cute little hut situated on the ridge above the river. The sound of the cascading stream was better than listening to mood music and would literally lull the person into quick relaxation mode.

Part of the Wellness Retreat wasn’t only about having a great workout or receiving bodywork, we were also there to experience the Balinese way of life by participating in some of their traditional customs and rituals. On the first night we were entertained by a group of male Gamelan musicians and a traditional Legong dance performed by the nearby village girls and boys.

One day we were taken on an adventurous trek to a mountain temple where we would have to climb not only a mountain but ascend at least 1000 steps (or so it seemed) to reach the famous temple. What the Balinese call a gentle hike and was only supposed to take a half day to climb up and back, us westerners would call a “black-diamond ski run” which took most of the day to climb up and back. Yet that adventure was one of the most memorable and invigorating experiences of my time.

Our guides from the Nirarta center prepared a moveable feast so we could have lunch in the atmosphere of the mountain temple.

For each ceremony we attended or each temple we would visit we would have to wear the traditional attire of a kamben, a cloth (usually batik) wrapped around the waist (wrapped and tied differently by men and women). Women would have to wrap a sash tied around the waist, and the men would have to wear a headdress called an udeng. The Balinese follow the Hindu dharma path and on one of their religious holidays we were taken to the sacred temple on Mt. Agung to attend a ceremony. A heavy mist shrouded the peak of the temple giving it a mystical quality as worshippers ascended the ancient steps leading to the area of the main shrine. Once we were inside we found a place to sit on the ground and followed the example of our guide on what to do during the ritual. The atmosphere was super-charged with a feeling of love and great devotion. Throughout the entire temple the sweet fragrance of incense permeating the air induced me into a sublime state of mind. After the priest bestowed his blessings, we rose and went into another area of the temple and everywhere I looked there were dozens upon dozens of hand-woven baskets decorated with colorful flowers and filled with various food offerings. There was no shortage of those colorful displays which added to the ethereal atmosphere. The sacredness of participating in such an ancient ritual and receiving the blessing from the priest was truly an honor and an unforgettable experience I will always treasure.

Sunsets are especially grand in Bali as it occurs every evening around 5:30PM. Dinner time was an absolute delight and we all looked forward to this convivial atmosphere of great cuisine, affable conversations, and comfortable weather. But most importantly, each participant was precious and significant to the success of the Retreat as was the amazing generosity of the entire Nirarta staff. On our last night we engaged in a huge celebration with a delectable feast, dancing and being entertained by the staff members playing their traditional musical instruments.

Peter Wrycza, the owner and proprietor of Nirarta, is an affable English gentleman who along with his Balinese wife, Dayu, took exceptionally good care of us. Peter’s broad vision in creating an atmosphere of incredible beauty is further enhanced by his expertise in guiding people on a path of harmony and well-being.

My memories of Bali and Nirarta are indelible to say the least. If there isn’t a retreat taking place in Bali that you can join, then take some time for yourself to be by yourself in the magical paradise of Nirarta where Peter and his staff will look after you. Once you are there you can attend the twice-daily meditation practice that takes place in the meditation hall or have a private consultation with Peter who offers re-patterning or transformational coaching. For more information about Nirarta for Living Awareness visit their website at: www.awareness-bali.com

There is much to do in Bali or you can simply do nothing and just be present and alive in each moment in paradise. But this much I do know, be prepared to extend your Bali sojourn.

I will be back!

For Christmas I received such a gift. I am one of many sponsors of a baby female orphaned elephant named Dida who lives at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya. A group of railway workers found her trapped inside a manhole. She was only four weeks old at the time. Her mother and family were nowhere in sight. If she had not been found by these concerned men, she would have faced certain death inside the manhole or would have been eaten by the local tribes who consider elephant meat a delicacy.

After the baby elephant was pulled out of the manhole, the workers notified the Sheldrick Trust and soon a group of Keepers from the organization went out to retrieve little Dida. She was flown to the Trust Nursery in Nairobi where she is being properly nurtured and cared for. Through the support of the Sheldrick Orphan Project young elephants and rhinoceros are placed in a nursery where they are fed a particular milk formula, receive 24-hour care by the many keepers of the Trust, and are in close contact with the older orphans that become the baby’s extended family. This is a very crucial stage for the newcomers, as it provides the familial bond that is vitally necessary for their emotional well-being.

Elephants are one of the most amazing species of animal life on the planet. Their emotional and familial instincts are so closely related to humans that some of these baby elephants can easily die of a broken heart if they aren’t quickly cared for. The time for senseless slaughtering of these magnificent animals must come to an end. No more poaching and butchering for ivory. No more acts of mutilation for the rhino’s horns. No more culling and mass murdering of these magnificent animals simply because their natural habitats have been dramatically reduced and had crossed boundaries with that of humans. Join the many caring people of the world who want to bring an end to the senseless killing of these majestic giants.

You can help now. For in depth information about fostering an orphan elephant or rhino, visit the website of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust at: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org and see how easy it is to become a foster parent. This is a very special honor and one that will generate awareness of our animal kingdom and the great responsibility we have to protect them.

All photos of orphaned elephants and rhinoceros are copyrighted by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Organization.

Since the start of the 2008 Presidential race, all the candidates have been talking of change. Well, we know there will be a change in the White House with another president come January 2009, that’s the first step accomplished in bringing about change. What I want in our next president is someone who can bring about change for the better, and not replace one bad set of ideas for another. What does it take to transform our moribund country? There are several dynamics which a President should embody to manifest change: Leadership through strength of character, intelligence, unity, inspiration, honesty and integrity and belief in the principles of the U.S. Constitution. Is this asking too much of our next leader?

Simply put, change means many things, not just electing a different administration but having someone as president who can meet all the requisites of change that can bring about positive results. Someone who can inspire and motivate just by their mere presence. Someone who can unite people through their words and deeds. Someone who can let vitriolic attacks pass through them without reacting immaturely and hastily, but rather through tact and diplomacy. Someone who can call upon the support of the people, and our allies when a crisis arises, and they will come. Someone who will work on behalf of the American people by creating opportunities that will benefit the whole rather than the few. Someone who can look upon racism and see it as a weakness in character, and tries to change it not through force and coercion but through tolerance and encouragement. Someone who is not tainted with the stench of power and greed; and lastly, someone who sees that the strength and richness of the United States can only be expressed through the strength in character and richness in mores of that of the American people, and not the other way around.

Of all the candidates who have taken on the enormous challenge of wanting to be the next President of the U.S., which one best reflects the aforementioned dynamics of change?

After watching all the debates and following the Iowa and NH primaries, and reading endless political blogs, so far, I can honestly say that only two of the candidates meet every one of the dynamics that was mentioned, Barack Obama and Dennis Kucinich with Ron Paul and John Edwards a close second, and Hillary Clinton and Bill Richardson third. Even though Kucinich would be a great leader of peace, the media pundits and the majority of the people at large haven’t yet realized his true strength, and the needed support isn’t behind him at this time. But, we have Barack Obama and from what I’ve seen in the show of support from the exuberant young adults, the Independents, and people from all walks of life, i’m not the only one who thinks that he is the one to lead this country. Obama has motivated people to get involved in their country’s most important election who would’ve otherwise not become so engaged. Sure, he will be put through the grinder by his opponents and the media, but I believe he will show that his character is not a veneer; it is deeply rooted within, and it will guide him in the right direction. Nor is his lack of experience on Capitol Hill a major factor affecting his ability to lead a nation. I mean, Bill Clinton had no experience on Capitol Hill, even though he did govern the small state of Arkansas and the people elected him for President against an incumbent who could boast years of experience. I think we can debate on experience until the moon turns to cheese, it will always come down to who has the most support of the people. Obama will prove that his expression of unity is not a mere soundbite and that he is a person of great inspiration, integrity and intelligence. So in good conscience I can support him, believing that he has the substance to clean up the mess and chaos, the division and revulsion, and the bitter taste left behind by the Bush administration, by inspiring us to work with him as a united people and that’s what is needed in order to bring about the change we seek.

Please, I encourage any of you who read this post, to consider the character of what a good president should reflect. It’s not about 35 years of experience, or the color of his skin, it’s about integrity, unity and motivation–Obama 2008!

After watching a video on youtube.com (a few of them) of Andrew Meyer being forced to the ground and tased, one has to wonder why it took six buffed police officers (2 policewomen) to restrain this young guy, and why did they have to tase him? No matter if his questions to Kerry seemed provocative and loaded, the problem here is the Gestapoesque way the police handled the situation. This young man was in no way posing a danger or threat to Senator Kerry or anyone for that matter, so why the brutality? What has our country come to when Peace Officers resort to such brutish means to keep the peace? I must have watched the Meyer video a dozen times in order to make sure I didn’t miss any small detail in this disastrous fracas. But I kept seeing the same tyrannical method of operandi used by the police. Meyer can be heard screaming out: “Help me, someone help me!” I’m confused here, aren’t the police supposed to assist someone in need of help?

The President of the University of Florida, J. Bernard Machen, described the event as “regretful” and said two officers in the incident were placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Somehow, suspension is not the answer to the problem.

Now, I’m sure that the police, with all their training and skills, could have done something else to encourage Meyer to leave the premise in a peaceful way. He may be a prankster and an instigator but he didn’t deserve the roughshod treatment to which he was subjected. This incident is not the only shameful display of police brutality. There are dozens of reported police harassment cases. Yet, in every barrel of apples there are a few bad ones. I am not trying to judge the Police Association in general, but there seems to be a dark pattern of behavior and that is what I find eerily mysterious. Are they operating out of fear all the time? Have they seen too much violence and their minds are tainted with disgust and intolerance? Or are they on a power trip? There is a lot of power in wielding a badge and bearing a firearm. Just the sight of them walking a beat or cruising a neighborhood is enough to make an innocent person behave as if they did something wrong.

In the end, if there is something urgent and I need to call for police assistance. I will do so because I still trust them, and I also know that they risk their lives many times in the line of duty. However, a man or a woman who wears a badge and carries a firearm is supposed to be mentally, not just physically, fit to do so. The people who choose to become Peace Officers or Law Enforcers know the inherent risks involved with the job, but that does not place them above the law. Perhaps they should take some needed R&R and seek help when they are feeling too overwhelmed in doing their jobs properly. Keeping the peace seems impossible to achieve when the balance of power is skewed heavily on one side, then it becomes oppression. People always react to oppression in one way or another. I hope I don’t have to read or write anymore stories like this one, ever again. I hope that this is not wishful thinking.

Some say that God will finish a great deliverance or judgment with three major elements: An earthquake, dark sun or blood moon and falling stars. At the end He comes to execute judgment and deliver righteousness.

According to Gustavus Hindman Miller who has written Dream Dictionary Moon, to see a blood red moon, indicates war and strife ” . . . and she will see her lover march away in defence of his country”.

Astronomers and scientists say that the moon appears red because light scattering through the Earth’s atmosphere is reduced to predominantly-red wavelengths, which reflect off the lunar surface.

But on thie morning of August 28th, 2007, a blood moon eclipse has taken place. So what happens when the blood moon is seen? Will the revelation of Luke 21: 11, 25-26 come true? Is this another prophetic sign that the end of the age is near? Or is this blood moon eclipse another cosmic phenomenon?

Whatever the case, don’t waste time brooding about “the end” or waiting for the Second Coming, instead, spend time probing within yourself for a better understanding of your own nature.

Relish the moon’s energy!