I began a writer's retreat as part of my interest to create surroundings for myself that protect me from distraction and inspire me to write my book, do my research and midwife the WeCare Network for Health. Over the last few weeks as some chaos from other people spilled over into my life, I decided to take 3 days to slow down and just be was how the walls and surroundings provides me remarkable stories of healing in this challenged economy that is burdened by the chaos of the economy, war and terrorism.
The activity that surrounds the Peace Abbey has grown with the ebbs and tides of the economy and the global peace movement for the last 37 years. In 1988, Mother Teresa came to visit the Life Experience Program directed by Lewis Randa. The program is housed in what is now the conference center and museum of the Peace Abbey property, where the community gathers for an interfaith meditation service every Sunday at 10 am.
Mother Teresa during her visit noted the private home behind the Conference Center and pointed to it and described to Lewis and those who gathered with them that this home was to be a Peace Abbey. A few years, later the owners of that home came to Lewis and asked him if he would like to buy it.
Since that time, the Peace Abbey like all non profit organizations has known some very trying times. In 1991, after a visit to the Abbey, Paul Winter, Jazz Saxophonist
called his friend Yoko Ono and made her aware of the potential foreclosure of the Abbey property.
Yoko kindly donated the $40,000 critical to protecting the Abbey. By 2008, while the Peace Abbey continued to serve so many who serve Peace and join the hearts of so many who had experienced loss through War in many different ways including 9/11, the Peace Abbey Debt grew to $400K.
During a New England Peace Studies Association meeting in 2008 at the Abbey, Clark University professor Joe de Rivera suggested tackling the debt on a smaller scale than what had been done in the past. The concept that Joe presented grew from the idea that a group of 400 stakeholders could each contribute a loan of $1,000 to reconcile the debt. When you drive by the Abbey you now see a sign that says the Peace Abbey, now under care of its shareholders. By May 30th, more than 300 shareholders stepped forward to loan or donate a sum of $1,000 to the Abbey. Anyone who lends is able to request their loan back at anytime. So far no one has.
The merits and how this place in time and its community add value around the world to Peace and people like me seeking time for contemplation and inner peace is an endless story captured on its walls and every room you visit, meditate or simply sit in. The stories are endless and some of the merits are as simple as this
Members of the Peace Abbey Stakeholder Community and volunteers create social impact by
1. Serving animals who are ill, e.g. cerebral palsy and giving them a home;
2. Providing work for people who can not find employment through any means (I hesitate to say ordinary means, since at present there is no such thing);
3. Providing a quiet place of retreat to all who come for a few nights or just to visit from the local area;
4. Serving as a hub of global peace and connecting bringing together networks of people of all faiths and practice;
5. Supporting a program called Learning Experience for children who are disabled and developmentally delayed; recently this program lost $90K of state funding.
6. Organizing displays and memorials for the victims of war, 9/11 and Iraq; there is now a wall here with a bracelet recognizing each American Soldier who has given their life in Iraq and I think Afghanistan.
Lewis and other members of the community know that in life there are ebbs and tides and changes. If you are a New England, recessions and ups and downs are just part of the experience. The faith practice of this interfaith community finds it ways and adapts and changes its consciousness with the time.
As I regroup to find a beginner's mind again with which to form my writing; I feel like an artist facing an empty canvass and I don't know how the canvass will fill. This is my experience at this time as I work to find my inner voice to create WeCare and redefine to a global community what health means from a view different than what health is or how to reform health care.
My self-initiated retreat has a purpose to build with a few others in my network an incubator that addresses the simple right of every human being to have economic sustainability that assure a person in any life cycle the best quality of life no matter their health status from cradle to death. Conditions surrounding us in this current economy have challenged that kind of access that assures the best care in and outside the health care system that goes beyond the walls of any insurance and delivery system. I found inspiration and comfort during my time at the Abbey to face the emptiness in which I am now writing and conducting my research
Today, I have moved on to the Kundalini Yoga Center of New England, thanks to some sweet souls hearing my silent prayers, I am now regrouping to shape where I live to give me a studio where I can spread out and gather my research and thinking to focus working with my personal network to incubate WeCare. It is beginning to have sturdy roots thanks to the conversations of some very caring and talented people, so I can take this project out into the world and engage with many people from many sectors to inspire change through inquiry and cooperation.
I believe the Peace Abbey was a good spot to visit for renewal and direction. While I am going to continue to insure that type of environment for myself no matter where I wander, I am glad I stopped at the Peace Abbey. The Peace Abbey, unlike my experiences in meditation centers, permits you to interact with life and express who you are in the world by renewing your view and giving sustenance to your health.
To Lewis, Madeline, Brian, Roberta and all the community, thank you for your wonderful and quiet hospitality.
Warm thoughts,
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