The Ethics of Torture

There's a disturbing
article in the New York Times this morning which details how the Bush Administration determined that it wasn't bound by the Geneva Convention or federal antitorture laws in the interrogation of detainees at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. The report was prepared in 2003 for Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, who has been the subject of protests here in Taos, NM, where he maintains a residence.

While Lynn & I prefer to "live the change that we wish to see in the world", rather than burning effigies of Rumsfeld, as some did recently here in Taos, I must say that these men represent everything that I DO NOT wish to stand for.

I was greatly heartened to read former Vice Pres. Al Gore's speech last week (also featured in the NY Times), stating that Bush is 'utterly incompetent' and has 'shamed America' with its policy on Iraq, and asked for the resignations of Donald Rumsfeld, George Tenet, Condoleezza Rice and Defense Department deputies. Mr. Gore also said that Bush used 'forged and blatantly false assertions' that Saddam Hussein was conspiring with Al Qaeda.

What a relief it is to finally hear people speaking out after three and a half years of relative silence!

My bottom line: perhaps the committees investigating these and other matters should also feel free to place themselves above the law and use similar "interrrogation" techniques with Bush and his cronies; after all, there is nothing less at stake than the honor of our once proud country.

blessings,

William


William on 06.08.04 @ 11:06 AM MST [link] [No Comments]

Expectation in Relationship

In our Closer to Home workshop this weekend, that William and I facilitated, the dreaded happened: I got "triggered" by a situation that came up.

Then I remembered: only I can re-open my heart. I can choose to feel love. Love for me. I know what my intention was. I know that I was doing my best. Breathe. Open. Breathe. Open. Slowly, slowly my heart started emerging again. I continued through the exercises of connection we had planned and recieved support from others in silent connection, just allowing me to be. Allowing me to be closed, or open, or in between, if that was where I was. Their open acceptance allowed compassion to show up. First as love for me being who I was. Then as love for those allowing me to be. Then as love for my partner's wounded little boy that was feeling exactly the same as my wounded little girl. His defensiveness had dissipated in the act of stating his truth and mine was struggling to be freed in the silent space it was hiding. I got to be in it, talk about it, cry about it and release it in the course of the day. The group energy we had created assisted me greatly in moving through my process and I felt safe and held by all there.

I saw the perfection in choosing a partner that will not pretend to be my saviour when, in fact, I don't need one. No matter how much I think that him showing up in a certain way will rebalance me, it is only me that can do that for myself. Had he shown up as that saviour, I would not have had the opportunity to experience the healing of my heart that occured from within me.

I am grateful for those who showed up this weekend and shared their intimate experiences and supported each other in exploring the truth around them. I truly believe we are changing the world.

Namaste, Lynn
Lynn on 06.07.04 @ 12:10 PM MST [link] [No Comments]

Childlike Faith

Look who followed me home! I responded to his verbose cries for help from a high fence and he followed me all the way home! None of the neighbors claimed him, and from the amount of food he got into his skinny little frame in a two minute period, I assume he hadn't eaten in quite some time!

We're calling him "Punkin" and he is a true reminder of that innocent childlike playfullness we had back when being curious was a natural sense. It seems along the way that our social training eventually covered up that curiosity with blindly believing the teachings of others experiences, instead of continuing to explore and value our own. Childlike faith in the natural senses we were born with to live as free sovergn beings on this planet is the gift of vision we readily accept from our new-found friend!

With Gratitude, Lynn
Lynn on 05.31.04 @ 03:02 PM MST [link] [No Comments]

Good News from the Dennis Kucinich Campaign

The Dennis Kucinich campaign continues to shed it's bright light in the world. They have just opened a convention office in Boston in preparation for the National Democratic Convention in July and their fingers of good news report that:

The National Council of Churches says the UN should take over Iraq.

The United Methodist Church laments the war in Iraq.

Four-star General William E. Odom (Ret.) urges withdrawal of US forces as soon as possible.

The American Conservative Magazine, one of the nation's leading conservative voices, says the administration's Iraq policy is a shambles, and the time has come for the US to withdraw.

And, for the first time, polls are showing that a clear majority of Americans no longer believe it was worth going to war!!!!!

It is clear the the 100th Monkey Energy is nearing it's peak. Stay open! Be conscious! We are making a difference! Be the change. Please.

Love and Light, Lynn

Much more info on Dennis at www.kucinich.us

Lynn on 05.13.04 @ 02:12 PM MST [link] [No Comments]

Taking our Community back through Personal Responsibility

I just heard of yet another incident of our crazed preoccupation with our need to have an exterior source to blame. A mother with her daughters went to the neighbor who had 2 domestic wolves to ask if her daughters could photograph them for a school project. The neighbor said they could not go into the yard, as the wolves were not familiar with children but could perhaps photo from outside the fence. They returned later to do so, and finding the neighbor on the phone who asked them to wait, one little girl went to the fence on her own and was bitten by one of the wolves. The mother is pressing charges against the neighbor.

Now, my question is, how will this assist anyone involved in living in their highest joy? I see that our need for safety has infiltrated our belief systems so far to the core that it has replaced our entire society base from freedom to fear ..........
Lynn on 05.06.04 @ 01:56 PM MST [more..] [1 Comment]

April Closer to Home Workshop

Wow! It continues to amaze us what can happen when a group of souls come together in the spirit of connection. We feel very blessed and grateful for those who came together this weekend in making the space of a loving community such a great success. We fumbled a bit the first night, and all hung in there to go on with opening a space and creating a circle of support and trust for sharing. We took opportunities to look at where we have been blocked in our lives, to make other choices and to allow ourselves to be held in love while exploring. The need for coming together in this way became sooo aparent as all souls expressed their visions and shared their connections they made with nature as a part of the web as well.

A few quotes from participants:

"It's been a long long time since I so completely fell in love with a group of beautiful people so thoroughly in such a short period of time."

"“Closer to Home” was a powerful combination of being held by an unconditionally loving family and being a part of holding a safe space for other participants to heal and be held…"

"Heart-opening; Inspirational ways to help one choose joy in one’s life."


With Sincere Gratitude, Lynn
Lynn on 04.21.04 @ 03:10 PM MST [link] [1 Comment]

The new table was a success!

Two days after completion, we managed to get at least 6 people around our new little gathering space! We enjoyed lively conversation, celebrating several birthdays and finger feeding our neighbors in our cozy corner together! Stuffed grape leaves and falafels are great for intimate sharing! Good too!

Lynn
Lynn on 04.21.04 @ 03:07 PM MST [link] [No Comments]

Dining Nook & Closer To Home

The finished product. Not a great pic, but you get the feeling...

Well, we're scurrying about putting the final touches on tomorrows "Closer To Home" workshop and looking forward to a magical weekend with friends, new and old!
blessings,
William

William on 04.14.04 @ 02:59 PM MST [link] [No Comments]

Gettin Ready for some dinner folk

Here's William building what will be our cozy little bohemien table space! I can't wait to stuff it with pillows and put up the mood lights!

Lynn on 04.06.04 @ 06:44 PM MST [link] [No Comments]

Well-Being Circle, March 31, 2004

Kathy led the circle tonight where we took time to honor the directions, and voice our connections to and appreciations for them. We each had a chance to share what was present for us in our lives and the recurring theme of frustration with the current state of the country persisted. We noted that there is power in each one of us, and we have the choice to retain it, and not give it away to the powers that be. I recognized a part of me that is also present in those in control right now. The part that is holding on very tight to an illusion of control in this swiftly shifting world. I actually felt compassion for those I consider to be my opposites, and saw that by letting go of my control ogres inside, I am raising the energy level of that release button so that it is brighter for others to find and grab onto. I feel very grateful for this circle, as it supports my spurts of courage as I step freely into the world. I so welcome those of you who are connecting with these words to join us. It is so important that we have each other. We meet again in two weeks, April 14.

Love and Light, Lynn
Lynn on 03.31.04 @ 11:10 PM MST [link] [No Comments]

Albuquerque Meeting, Conversations With God

What a great group of people! We went to a bi-weekly discussion group over the weekend in Albuquerque. We did a short presentation on Full Circle Center and then moved into a discussion about community outreach. There were members in the group already facilitating teen spirituality groups, sexuality groups, and are collecting interested parties for an emotional support group. There were members active and informed in the political arena. The discussion then came back around to the most effective method for outreach: being the change. To practice choosing love over fear and to support each other in doing so. To accept what we already are doing and being and feel enough. We also shared the vision of not giving our power away to any outside source, including "CWG", but living from our internal truth. Ahhhhh, like-minded souls. Space to be me.

Lynn
Lynn on 03.31.04 @ 10:50 PM MST [link] [No Comments]

April "Closer To Home" Update

The April "Closer To Home" workshop is full. Since there are several people on the waiting list, we decided to add another one in June (the 3rd through the 6th). This will be a donation based event, so that all who wish to participate can do so at a cost that is comfortable for them. Lynn and I are really excited that there are so many of us who wish to create a new reality from the inside out!

There are still a few openings for June, so if you're intrigued by the possibilities, check out Closer To Home , and if you would like to attend, give us a call, or register online. We're looking forward to two magical and transformative events.

blessings,
William
William on 03.30.04 @ 11:10 AM MST [link] [No Comments]

Wind Power!

It's important that congress pass HR 507, extending the wind tax credit for 5 years.
More here: http://www.tomudall.house.gov/issues2.cfm?id=7861

Maybe by then we'll have the hydrogen thing all worked out, eh?

William


William on 03.24.04 @ 02:37 PM MST [link] [No Comments]

Happy Spring Peace Day!

Spring Equinox, A World Day for Peace. What a wonderful combination! I visualize the universe assisting the gatherings of many in rebirthing this world into a society of peace during this special time in Mother Earth's natural cycle of spring. Dennis Kucinich is speaking in New York City today about his plan for a U. S. Department of Peace. Last year on this day, Dennis addressed the National Newspaper Association About the U.S. Invasion of Iraq (click more to read on)

Here in Taos there are prayer circles, equinox dances and the toppling of a statue of Donald Rumsfeld. Two weeks ago I went to an Act Coalition meeting who was planning the toppling and asked what they had in mind as a positive vision after the toppling. I suggested a Dept. of Peace sign, perhaps? They listened and even contemplated the idea in the midst of their excitement about the statue before glossing over, which I took as a wonderful sign! People are open to "buy-cots" instead of "boy-cots"! Let's put our energy into living the change we wish to see in the world without giving most of it away to what we don't want. Focus on the solution, not the problem....anybody interested? Call us!!!





Lynn on 03.20.04 @ 03:29 PM MST [more..] [No Comments]

Reconnecting With Nature to Get Through Divorce.

I am facilitating an on-line course "Introduction to Educating and Counseling With Nature" in completing my Applied Ecopsychology Certificate and I came across this entry I had written a while back while going through the aftermath of my divorce. The instructions were to "Go to an attractive place in a natural area. Gain its consent to help you with this activity. Write down what you like and why and identify what part of yourself has that aspect." I thought I'd share so that others may allow nature to help them through tough times, too.

Here's the entry...
Lynn on 03.15.04 @ 12:54 PM MST [more..] [No Comments]

"Tomorrow's God" NewBook by Neale Donald Walsch

Went to Santa Fe to hear Neale Donald Walsch explain a bit about his new book, "Tomorrow's God". It was just a quick book-signing presentation so he didn't go into too much detail. The main just was that God says that in the next 20 to 30 years (possibly sooner) our world will adapt a new spirituality as we have never known it before and then goes into visions of what that looks like. He talked about Humanity's Team (see our web page for more on this) and how there are over 8,000 people in the United States and I can't remember how many more in the rest of the world who have already joined this grass roots movement that the CWG foundation has outlined. Here are my ideas....

Lynn on 03.11.04 @ 10:39 PM MST [more..] [1 Comment]