in the ending, is a new beginning..

My last few days in Budapest were sweet. I had Eva’s home to myself. I appreciated her willingness to provide me that time alone, as I attempted to bring some closure to my time there.


Briefly, I visited Tibor and expressed my deep appreciation for my connection with both him and Marika. They were an anchor point for me, in their very creative and inspired life.


And then I spent a good bit of time with Andrew. On Sunday, Benjamin was was with him. We had all previously planned to visit the Labyrinth on Castle hill. We met at 11:00 for lunch, and then headed off to explore quite an elaborate underground maze. Many of my questions went unanswered as to its historic use, as most of the signage was either of a humorous nature, including the planting of a giant Pepsi bottle, an imprint of the sole of a Nike shoe, and the mother board of a computer, along with images of petroglyphs sited in other caves throughout Europe. As one, who is always on the look out for meaning, for the sacred, I was a little chagrined, meanwhile Andrew and Benjamin had great fun with it, as did most of the other visitors. With my respect for dark places, I secretly would have welcomed more quiet time in its midst. At one point I was able to venture off alone, paying tribute for the gifts that it has to offer. While also vey much enjoying traveling thru this ongoing underground space with my new buddies.


Andrew and I shared a number of meals together over the course of my last two days in Budapest, along with multiple stops for a cup of cappuccino, all very European and delightful. I will miss that. And of course lots of conversation. The kind of conversation you have, knowing that the time for departure is drawing near. Conversation which includes those topics shared when there is little to loose and even deeper connection to be made. Not really knowing whether the connection will be maintained thru time, or whether it is one in which two souls have briefly crossed paths for the purpose of mirroring for one another the vast range of life experiences, not commonly shared, but a significant part of ones life needing to be more fully integrated in process of making room for the new. I believe we offered that to one another. As our relationship was slow in developing, thru a mutual appreciation and respect for one another, with an ever increasing tolerance for the awkwardness of coming together, parting, connecting, missing connection, deep sharing to bantering we explored our life’s with one another. Bringing into focus the finer aspects of self. Yes, it was a connection of honoring who we are, where we have been and even more precious where we aspire to be, as two individuals deeply passionate about living a True life.
I will hold this connection dear, regardless of time and place. I will keep it tucked away in my heart as a reminder of the real purpose in coming together, with other.

Fearing I would forget, who I had come to experience myself to be, I requested that he share with me, his experience of our connection.Upon arriving home, I received an email from him. I was pleased to read that that which I hold dear about this life of mine, he did indeed recognize. And should I forget, I know where I can go, to be reminded.
In honor of that which I hold most dear, I share it with you.


"On the penultimate day of Abbey’s recent Hungarian visit we again found ourselves travelling down from the Castle district by squat, cube-like bus, down a short hill to Budapest’s (uncharacteristically nostalgically) still-named Moscow Square. Braced standing on the bus at a sudden stop Abbey turned to me and said, “There’s a real art to standing near the door.”
This is how I remember Abbey. Over the course of wonderful weeks stretching into months we met and talked as we toured Budapest about a range of topics from the deeply personal to the profoundly global – and always in the context of the rapid transformation we are all experiencing in this age. Over the course of these weeks I found Abbey a consistently articulate and likeable conversation partner and as we opened up I really learned a lot about her, myself and our respective processes from these talks.
Her ability to stand in simple witness– to ask and to acknowledge and honor others’ narratives compassionately without easy judgment or advice – allows her to penetrate far into the walls of a situation towards the twin aims of understanding and healing. In doing so she stands her ground in terms of her own beliefs, yet is refreshingly open to updating her views in light of what she is encountering.
This European jaunt was a journey for her rich with encountering. I see her in this time coming shuddering back into a present life rich with possibility – rejoining the narrative of her own process of enlightenment to realize gratefully not only that nothing has been lost but that we are all correspondingly enriched by her experience and perspective. At least I am.
Thank you Abbey!

With love,Andrew "

Thank you Andrew for the Many gifts you have offered me, during my visit to Budapest.

Now it is time to leave this lovely City of Budapst. It has served me extremely well, as the base from which to explore new territory. Its richness runs deep and wide, from its history to its culture, politics, people and landscape. Over the past three months, as I wove my own very personal experiences of connection with self, others and Self, into the fullness of this “magical, mystery tour” an incredible tapestry of meaning emerged. One which carried me throughout, gifting me with a wide range of experiences. Experiences that I trust will help to inform me, as I carry on. I do not know where that is, however I trust that it will be into places of ever expanding service.

Many of you have traveled with me during this time. I have enjoyed your company. I have appreciated hearing how you have connected to your own journey, vicariously thru mine. That has been part of the magic, leaving little question that in the mystery of our interconnected nature, my journey is yours as is yours mine. Thru the blog, I have had the great pleasure of being the storyteller. I wish that experience for everyone, for in the gift of telling my story, I have been able to truly honor and celebrate many blessings, as they have come to pass. Thank you dear friends, for bearing witness. I have felt richly rewarded in being seen, heard and received. All gifts beyond measure.

From my heart to yours, may each of us continue to travel into ever expanding unknown territory, together, consciously weaving greater and greater tapestries of being.

With love,
Abbey

And now, to be with dear Sophie. My heart skips a beat as I look forward to being together.

....sweet, sweet connection.

venturing briefly into Romania

After leaving Eva’s for the week, I spent a couple of days with Magdi. I enjoyed getting to know her even better, as well as exploring her neighborhood in Budapest. She lives in the hills of Buda, in a forest of wonderful wildlife. Just the kind of area prime for getting lost in. And as my journey would have it, thats just what I did. It was at 10:00 one evening, after catching the last bus of the night, and getting off at the last bus stop, that I set out up the hill towards Magid's. Some 100 yards up a steep terain, I reached the end of the road and nothing looked familiar. Long story short, I assumed that bus #128 was close enough to #28, that surely it would work just fine. Wrong! Different bus, different route. Lesson learned. And, sure enough, as these kind of travel experiences go for me, “out here, let loose into the wild, dark of the night”, I was found! This time by a young man who was passing by after dropping his girlfriend off for the night. He was equipped with a car, cell phone and good English. After reaching Magdi on her cell phone, and getting us re-oriented, he assisted me in getting to her place. So, just a short time after my mis-step, I was celebrating the speed in which the travel spirits had come to my rescue. Nice job! Thanks.

Then, back onto the train and into Romania, making for one more wonderful journey in Eastern Europe. I set out for Oradea to visit my friend Kate, who is doing some work there for the Peace Corp. Oradea is on the western border of the country. Up until shortly after WWI, when large portions of Hungary were allocated to neighboring countries, this region was actually part of the Hungarian Empire. Today, many Hungarians continue to feel a real kinship with this part of their lost country, many of them still living there, speaking their native language and eating their native foods.

As I ventured into the community of Ordadea, I also ventured into relationship with an old friend. Both of the experiences taking me back in time. Oradea seems to be a many decades behind Budapest in the development of a new political and social system, with an infrastructure in disrepair. And as for my connection with Kate, we too have our own social system, based in the past somewhat slow to change. But just as in Oradea, there is promise and perhaps even more importantly, a willingness to explore new life. A life, a relationship which I am hopeful will provide even more authentic and life serving connection. I very much appriciated my time with Kate and her generosity of spirit as we navigated our way along, each of us doing our best at staying connected with self, while opening to the other as much as our comfort level would allow. Letting go of outdated systems while embracing new ones, does not seem to be an easy or quick process for any of us, as individuals or as communities of people. I’d say we did well. Thanks Kate.

So, as I lightly touched down in Romania, I was hard pressed to get a real feel for the country. As I searched for a sense of their unique culture, I was struck by their architecture which was refreshingly different than what I have experienced for the past 3 months. Bright colors and cylinder like fronts. Instead of Catholic churches, the City was filled with Orthodox churches, with very tall multiple steeples. Newly built is a very large Baptist church that the town seems to be quite proud of. Reportedly there is a very large castle in the middle of the City, which we never did find, however we did come across a very old fortress, which reportedly houses an Arts Center. From our limited access it was hard to identify. Oradea, has not yet dressed itself up for the travelers who are passing thru, hoping to get a glimpse of their more vibrant past. The community seems to be tending more to the business at hand, living their day to days lives as they make the adjustments that time is asking of them. Romania has recently joined the European Union. For those living on the countryside, this is creating real hardship for the small, local farmers who do not have the means to purchase the necessary equipment in order to bring their dairy products up to the newly established standards as mandated by the EU.

There are many more Roma’s in Oradea than I have crossed paths with in Hungary. They remind of the indigenous people I have met elsewhere, dressed in bright colorful clothing, ready and eager to receive any financial contribution a sympathetic visitor may have to offer.


On one of my days in Romania, I ventured out on a road trip for the smaller village of Bieus. With no direct bus or train ride available, the most efficient way of getting there, involved negotiating a ride with a local, unofficial taxi driver. The routine is to go to the outskirts of town and start exploring the possibilities, which actually are quite plentiful. Speaking no Romania, I was left to sign language. So, as both I and my potential driver wave our currency in the air, indicating what we are willing to give and what we are willing to accept, we come to an agreement and off we go, along with 5 other passengers. Traveling this ways was a great way see the countryside as well as to be present to local conversation, clueless as to what was being said, but enjoying the sounds, as we passed by large sunflower and corn fields, periodically coming upon a horse and buggy with passengers making their way down the road.

Yes, it was a quick trip. Not nearly enough time to really be able to speak of the country and its people with any kind of confidence, but I can say that I am grateful for having been there for the time I was, feeling as though my global boundaries have been stretched just a tiny bit further into the vastness of it all.


So, here I am back at Eva’s. With 2 days left before heading back to the USA. I hope to write one more blog before boarding the plane. For today, I look forward to being fully present to this time, in this place that I have come to experience as home, while gently and hopefully gracefully say my goodbyes. Ah, those bittersweet moments that make up the richness of life.


Love is the nature of all things.....

stepping out ...

Dear friends,

In honoring the fullness of my 'magical mystery tour', I am sharing this particular stage of my journey with you, as surely it is a significant one. I am at the edge. It is that point of transition in which chaos has broken out and a shift is underway. Emotionally, it feels more like the making of the “perfect storm”. That point when there is a coming together of various scary and seemingly life threatening situations. (I did say emotionally, aware that these are feelings, not reality, even as ‘real’ as they seem to be.) That point when it seems as though there is a possibility of “loosing it”, even while on a level closer to the truth, I know there is nothing to loose. There is nothing to be lost, no place to go, other than to be here, now. I find little comfort here and now, not fully comprehending the fullness of this reality. I feel overwhelmed. Too many decisions to be made, too many life situations unfolding and evolving at the same time, too many connections to be present to, all in the midst of too many unknowns.

At this particular time, in this particular place in Budapest, it is time to move into a new life situation. Eva returns tomorrow, a week early, to prepare for an NVC Board meeting which is convening in her home. This meeting came up well after I was here, so that my plans to return on Sept. 2, were based upon her previously scheduled return home of Sept 1. She has asked to have the place to herself as she prepares for the meeting and multiple house guests.
It is time for me to move from this place I have come to know as home, for the past three months, and move out into the realm of the unknown. Unlike the Fool in the Tarot deck, gracefully and joyfully stepping into the glory of it all, I am feeling nudged off the edge, before being quite ready. More accurately, I feel like I am being tossed out of an airplane, not sure that my parachute will open in time and that I will have all I need for a safe landing. I will call upon the Fool for guidance.

Without going into the specifics of some of the other contributing factors to my little storm, I will just say that the underlying theme seems to have to do with finding my footing, finding my groundedness of being. While traveling, stability does not seem to be important. Stability is in the mobility. And yet as I say that, I am aware that as this journey has been particularly meaningful, I am quite sure that it has had something to do with the fact that in the midst of the mobility there has been stability. And while I would love to be able to declare that the stability has been of an internal nature, in truth, it has been closely connected to this home that Eva has created for herself and shared with me. And out of the stability and the mobility, magic has happened for me in the past three months. I have discovered more of myself, in this world I live, than I had been conscious of before. I have always suspected that there was a vastness to me, I have not been aware of. And while this journey has been an exploration into this fuller self that I am, I have just begun the adventure.

So, while my realities of stability and mobility converge, I feel tossed and turned in the ever expanding and contracting experiences of life moving thru me. As I attempt to maintain deep connection in self, with Self, in this world, I am feeling disoriented and confused. As I attempt to remain connected to the vastness of it, I feel as though I am moving into a realm which is beyond my capacity to integrate, make real. This has been the story of my life, however a change is underway, as this soul is ready to become real, made manifest.

So, as I attempt to do my best in navigating thru this "mess" , I will pray for equanimity and will look forward to the time when we meet and embrace and celebrate that not only did I survive this phase of the integration process, but have emerged with an even greater sense of wholeness, for having done so.

Please keep me in your hearts and prayers for the next period of time. I am imagining that being for the next month, from today when I prepare to leave Evas, perhaps travel to other areas of Eastern Europe, including a trip to Romania to be with Kate, return to Budapest to say my good-byes, pack for my trip back to the USA on Spet. 2, reunite with dear Sophie, find a place for us to live, find meaningful work which is open to and receptive to the fullness of expression, while providing financial stability, and reconnecting with you, my community of friends who have joined with me in this incredible journey as well as those who have not, careful to do so in a way that integrates who I have come to know myself to be. I fear that I will not have the courage and stability to make the transition complete, in order to truley start anew. And yet I must, for I can not go back.

Yes, please keep me in your prayers, knowing that all is well and that in reality, new life is unfolding in perfectly divine order. And that indeed, it is very good.

Renewed in love and gratitude, while approaching peace.
Abbey

? Opportunites in the days ahead

On August 1st there was a solar eclipse.
On August 16, yesterday, there was lunar eclipse.
Reportedly an auspicious time.

Here is what one of my favorite fortune tellers has to say:


"Eclipses always come in pairs. Though both have now come and gone, their aftermath has only just begun to reveal itself. Watch this week and you'll see history rewrite itself and the present redefine itself. No matter who you are or what you're going through, you're not in quite the position you thought you were. There's a new possibility now and, if you look, you'll see reason to feel hopeful, where before all you could see was reason to worry. Some situations may get worse before they get better, but all dramas now, must start a fresh, more encouraging chapter."
-Jonathan Crainer


Surely there is no harm done in being open to the possibility of receiving some galactic support from the planetary gods. Just maybe we have plenty of reason to expect some delightfully refreshing experiences in the days to come.

Cheers!


.

into the realm of Galtung

As I took off for Norway, after spending a week with the NVC community in Warsaw exploring connection, I was primed for something intimate and personal, feeling quite open and vulnerable at the same time.

Making the decision to study further with Johan Galtung involved a financial commitment I was not prepared for, creating a real dilemma for me. I waited to the last hour to make my plane reservation, seeking some clarity as to the appropriateness of making such an investment of time, energy and financial resources.

Needless to say, I did purchase a roundtrip ticket to Bergen Norway, and at 4 AM I set out for the Warsaw airport. My first stop was in Oslo Norway, where I had a two hour layover. As I entered the airport, energetically, I felt a familiarity with this place. In addition to the fair skinned, blue eyed Anglo population, more people spoke English than I had experienced in a couple of months, (in public places that is) in the midst of a very open, expansive, light filled public space. There was a sense of having come home. And in a strange way, more so than I imagine feeling in the USA.


Over the past couple of years, I have been able to do a good bit of travel. For the most part it has been to Mexico and Central America. Those regions inhabited with darker skinned indigenous people. I have a great deal of respect for them and their ancestry and for the most part I return home feeling nurtured from having spent time amungst them. Clearly, none of the generations that go before me, are from that part of the world, however on a deeper level, I feel an affinity with these people, in their less complicated, simple, well grounded way of being in the world. I find it easy to connect with them and their sacred land and the deep deep culture that resides there. It is my soul that is nurtured while in their presence.

Interestingly, Norway, as Johan puts it, has “little soul”. Which perhaps explains why I have not felt particularly drawn to this part of the world, being inclined towards the spiritual, as I am. Before Christianity arrived around 1050, Norway was the center of the Viking civilization and with it came the Norse mythology, including the stories of good and bad forces. According to Johan, a big part of the local mythology has to do with the battle between Balder and Loki. Loki, the god of death, was believed to have won out, and the “stones wept”. In 1650 the country converted from Catholicism to Protestantism. Today, there is a rapid decline in Christian practices while Nordic spirituality seems to be focused on the land and the sea. The sea not necessarily experienced as a nurturing, loving presence. In fact there seems to be a certain amount of fear of its powerful force, taking many lives every year. Nevertheless, I feel an affinity here. I suppose it is in my bones that I feel it. My grandparents’ family sailed across the ocean, from this Scandinavian part of the world in the late 1800’s, so that I do indeed have roots here.

In exploring the possibility of making the trip to Norway to study further with Professor Galtung, it was thru the NVC network that I was put in contact with Bjarte Bjorsvik. He has been practicing NVC for a number of years and has been very involved with peace works, thru different NGO’s. He lives in Bergen, the closest city to Jondal, where the training was to take place. He too planned to attend the training. We had had a couple of email exchanges and he was quite helpful. When I arrived in Bergen, I was invited to stay at his home for the night and then together we would travel to Jondal, a three hour bus ride and 15 minute ferry trip away.

After arriving in Bergen and before heading over to Bjarte’s, I had a chance to do a bit of exploring. Bergen is a quaint town settled in amongst a range of 7 mountains, situated on a peninsula. It is on the northwestern coast of Norway and is the 2nd largest city in the country, with a population of approx. 250 thousand. I arrived on Saturday and the plaza was bustling with activity, including open air chess games and martial arts dance and play. It has a booming oil industry along with a very vital sea operations. It is the largest port in Norway and one of the largest in Europe. Norway has a very strong economy with an average annual income of $80,000. For this reason they have yet to join the EU. I am imagining that the financial well being of the community has something to do with the ease with which the people seem to be about their life.


There appears to be a casual, easy going confidence here. The kind that financial security can help to provide. Getting to Bjartes involved a couple of bus rides. I was thrilled with the experience of getting onto a bus that was packed with great big burly Norwegian men who had gathered together to attend a football (soccer) game. As they belted out their traditional team songs, the bus rocked. I have not experienced that much male energy in a very long time. I absolutely loved it. I had the good fortune to hear that quality of male voice again, the night before leaving Bergen. There had been a Festival that day, and the plaza was filled to the brim with musicians. One of the groups was an older generation of sailors, singing out with great gusto, in their rich bass voices, their beloved ballads of the sea. Again, I loved it. (I decided then, that in future travels, I would not only bring a more reliable camera, but also a tape recorder. The sounds of the different regions of the globe can be as endearing and memorable as the sites.)

At first meeting Bjarte, I felt a quick and pleasant connection. I felt welcomed into his community. After catching a quick nap and freshening up, we decided to go into town for a bite to eat, settling on an open air restaurant. Helga, a friend of his, joined us. After a somewhat intense week in Poland, the carefree and casual conversation was most enjoyable. I felt like I was catching up with old friends, sharing a great meal of seafood, salad and wine, while listening to folk singers in the background, singing a combination of local tunes, Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel. As it got late, Bjarte and I started back to his place, making our way to the bus stop, strolling along the harbor, thru the vibrant Saturday night crowd of Bergen. Quite a romantic colonial city it is. During the late night bus ride home we engaged in intimate conversation. The kind you don’t have in broad daylight, meeting needs for a different kind of connection. Feeling quite satisfied on so many levels, I was soon ready to settle in for a good nights sleep. Waking up the next morning well rested, we were able to carry on with our intimate sharing, giving each other our full attention. Oh my, how sweet this is. As we dropped in and out of conversation, while preparing for the week ahead, there is something emerging within me. Privately I am formulating a request. A request that we find the courage to maintain our connection. That we stay current with one another, no matter what arises. That we not flee. And that if we must, we say so, before departing. The request does not get spoken.

Onto Jondal we go, filled with excitement for the week ahead. Not only am I going to be with Johan who I greatly respect but also with this precious new connection with Bjarte. And on top of that, in the midst of the most incredible landscape, filled with mountains and streams, fjords and waterfalls, a glacier and bright blue skies. All of it quite breathtaking.



And then, something happened. He was gone. Almost as quickly as he appeared, he disappeared. Oh, dear Abbey. Surely, with all of our honesty, we can retrieve what seems to be lost. Figure out where we made a wrong turn and retrace our steps. Was it something I said, or did or did not do? Where did he go? After requesting some time, in hopes of meeting needs for clarity and understanding and perhaps connection, we do meet. We talk, we empathize, and I grieve the lose of something dear. Even though in NVC I am trying to stay more connected to the metness of needs, and not get attached to strategies as to how they are met, I am in pain. For a long time now, I have kept my needs for intimacy and companionship neatly tucked away. And now, here they are, just a short time ago in great celebration and now crying out in pain. It seems as though Bjarte’s need for safety and autonomy and self connection are making requests of their own, and his strategy seems to involve disconnecting from other, in order to meet them. So while theoretically I understand, my heart aches. Fortunately, I am still riding on a wave of resourcefulness, along with my great interest in what Johan has to offer. I am able to maintain my balance, but there were times when it is quite a challenge. Slowly I began to cultivate nice connections with others. Also, Helga decided to attend the training. We roomed together and she was great support. I felt like a had a real sister in her, for which I am grateful. I hope we can stay in touch. I also had nice connection with Cesar, a man from the Philippines, Moses from Sudan, Federico from Germany and a number of others, including Randi and Lars, who were both singers. They were as curious and interested in me, as I was in them. Their evening music helped to soothe my tender heart.

So, as I am engaged in my own intrarpersonal conflict, attempting
to make peace with seemingly different bodies of needs appearing
to at odds with one another, Johan begins to speak of the cultivation of peace on a global level between Nations, tribes and political leaders. And my body begins to reverberate. He is telling my story, made global. It is one and the same. As above, so below begins to takes on new meaning. I and the world are One and like never before, it becomes clear to me that the starting point begins with me! Familiar concept, new realization. And for Johan, what message does he have to offer in this creative, dynamic process?

His body of work is named Transcend. The path is one of exploring new understanding, new language, new projects. Transcending beyond where we have been and into new ways of relating to one another. The journey is one of mediation, conciliation, connection with the specific goal being Peace. His focus is clear and his heart is open, as he welcomes others to join him in this important work. Yes, I am ready to join him, doing my best to embrace and integrate the teachings he so graciously shares. I am grateful for his courage in forging the way for the past 50 years.
Yes, Johan Galtung, I love you and I appreciate the fullness of your life as it is made manifest. You are a harbinger of light and an inspiration to many. Namaste

With both the personal and transpersonal connections with Bjarte and Johan this week, my time in Norway was extremely rich and meaningful. I look forward to the fruit that it will bear as the ground of my being has been overturned, with many seeds having been planted. For now, I will do my best to remain fertile, ready and receptive to new life, as it emerges. And as it does, I welcome the opportunity to join with others in co-creating a more loving and peaceful world.





As I flew back to Warsaw to catch my train to Budapest, I am grateful that navigating from the airport to the train station was easy. The trip home was as comfortable going as it was coming. Interestingly enough, there was a four hour delay. While in no hurry to get any where soon, I was fine with the additional travel time. And with the “travel gods” looking over me, it provided time to get acquainted with the two men who stayed in the cabins on either side of mine. They were from China. Interested in engaging in conversation, they invited me into their cabin for some chat. Having traveled through out the world with Johan for the past week, I had some information on the current situation in their country. Curious to hear of their perspective, wasting no time I asked “WHAT about Tibet?” That was enough to open up a conversation that lasted for the next two hours. Basically, they expressed a lot of frustration and disappointment in that they do not feel as their country is understood. For these two men, the situation in Tibet, is about maintaining a united nation, which translates into a strong and well protected country, serving to provide safety for the well being of China and therefore its people. I do not pretend to really understand it all. What I do know is that once again, I had the opportunity to open my mind to different perspectives, different points of view, while recognizing that as misguided as we may sometimes seem to be, we are all seeking a safe and life fulfilling existence.

I pray that we become more skillful in creating this reality in more compasionate and mutually life serving ways.

Heading North......

Briefly though, before heading off to the train station for my overnight ride to Warszawa, I decided to get a much needed hair cut. I scheduled an appointment with a member of the B’hai community, a friend of Andrews. While the haircut served its purpose, I was most pleased with my connection with the young male hairdresser, who is a Roma. Roma’s are those individuals referred to as Gypsies in all travel guides. “They are the ones to be aware of and avoided at all cost, the thieves.” They are the same ones that Hitler attempted to exterminate along with the Jews and Homosexuals. They are the ones that today, are heavily discriminated against as second class citizens, perceived to be a burden upon the welfare system. Human rights groups are beginning to speak out on their behalf. After sharing an hour and a half with Artur I found myself easily letting loose of any prejudices I had become familiar with during my time here in Hungary. As is often the case while traveling, I am delighted with the way in which seemingly serendipitous connections are made, serving to expand my awareness of other realities. I am grateful to have had a personal connection with a member of the Roma family.

Off to the train station I go. A couple of metro stops later and I am at the Keleti terminal. It is 18:00 and time to board the train. As I enter into my cozy cabin I am delighted to be here. Well provided for, with a most comfortable bed to snuggle up in, plenty of bottled water, a Gyro sandwich to-go, a large window providing great views of the passing landscape, my ipod with all of my favorite music, and an engaging book I am just finishing up, all in the care of a most attentive conductor. Now, to just settle into the rhythmic motion of the train as I travel thru northern Hungary into Poland. . I am grateful to be where I am. Life is good.

Akasha meets me at the train station. I am grateful to see her, and even more so as she navigates us thru Warsaw as we head towards the boarding school where our group is meeting for the week. After a number of bus changes and a long walk, we arrive. All the while she enthusiastically shares with me, her love of her city, its history and her hope for its future. As we make our way, I am struck with how tattered the city looks, unkempt and in disrepair. The architectural wonders I have been surrounded by for the past months, are no where to be seen. As the story unfolds, many of the large tall concrete buildings are constructions of the Russian regime, that occupied Warszawa for forty some years. Before that, the city was ravished by the German army. At one point it was questionable as to whether the city should be rebuilt elsewhere, as there was so little that remained after all of the bombings. Poland resisted the German’s occupation and as a result paid a very heavy price.

After arriving to the school, some 20 miles outside of town, I had a bite to eat, unpacked and was ready to return to the city, for more site seeing. I am so glad that I did, as it was my last time to experience Warsaw, other than my taxi ride to the airport, at 4:00, heading out to Norway. So, with all of her enthusiasm, Akasha led me on quite a rigorous tour thru her city. Wanting to show me as much as possible in the 4 short hours we had, before needing to be back for our groups first meal together. The pace and intensity was at times a bit overwhelming. We spent most of our time in the old part of the town. Most of which has been completely restored, so that in fact what we actually saw was, to a large extent, the reconstruction of a demolished city. And while I would not have known that, the Polish people do and are committed to reclaiming their buildings, their structures, their historic treasures, filling the plazas and walking streets with their presence. Regrettably I did not have my camera with me. So I have no picture to share. I really thought there would be more opportunities to photo shoot.
On our bus ride back to the school Akasha shares with me that she is a trained opera singer. She loves to sing. 12 years ago she quit singing, while in a very difficult relationship. Some 10 years later, she realized that she had lost her voice. Out of a deep commitment to reclaiming it, she sought out professional help, in repairing any damage done to her vocal cords. With much therapy, a lot of practice and patience, she is able to once again express thru song. I was deeply touched by her story, as I reflected on her commitment to reclaiming her full expression. Her story is Warszawa’s story. I will carry it with me as I remember Poland.

Ah, where to go from here. Well, it was not long before it became clear to me, that my time here in this part of the world was somehow a reflection of an aspect of my own life, as I have traveled thru my own demolished past, reconstructing my life as I go. I too have resisted occupation, in my own rebellious ways, and I too have paid a heavy price. Sounds a bit melodramatic, I know, but there is something about it that rings true, and I am appreciating the correlation. It helps me to get some perspective, it gives me hope, it connects me to the greater whole.

As I entered into the week with 12 other practitioners of NVC I was looking forward to an experience of deep connection, empathic listening with mutual support and understanding. Loosing site of the fact that all of us, committed to a life of non violent connection, carry with us our humanity. And with that humanity comes…….you name it! Deep structure, deep culture, wounded, unhealed realities seeking meaningful resolution. Much to my own dismay, family of origin dynamics were recreated, providing rich opportunity to rewrite the script. Fortunately, after having had two months of self connecting solitude, I was well resourced and able to move thru my own storylines with little trouble. It was actually quite an affirming experience for me.

In a fairly unstructured environment we all experimented with speaking our truth, receiving varying degrees of support as we ventured into authentic communication.
We explored making requests, along with negotiating our way thru different needs as they arose within the group. Truly a rich opportunity to harvest some potentially transformative insights. Not always pleasant, nor fun, but seemingly necessary in the process of healing into wholeness.


The group represented citizenship from different parts of the world, including Poland, Hungary, India, Iran, Israel, United States. In retrospect, I mourn that there was not more mutual interest in providing empathy for our cultural wounds.



I regret that when Sahara from Iran shared her computer
with me, so I could make my plane reservation to Norway, she
showed me a series of pictures of US soldiers dining on gourmet
meals in Iraq, and that I did not request some time for mutual empathy, as we each observed the photos. But instead I merely expressed my own disgust.

I regret that when Yoham from Israel boldly expressed his disrespect for Christians, that Christinn, a Catholic priest from Shri Lanka was not able to empathize with him around the pain, connected to the mutual suffering of their own cultural past.

I mourn that as Ike, the charming white male from the US spoke, the East European women seem to have lost connection with all else, including themselves, as they were so impressed by what I interpreted as the dominate whilte male culture. I mourn that we did not choose to empathize with Anna who recently lost her husband to bone cancer and Eva whose husband is currently dealing with kidney failure.

So, while it appears as though there were some missed opportunities for some healing work, I do trust that we all did the best we could and that each of us left with exactly what we came for.

And for that, there is reason for celebration. Additionally, for the connections that were made and for those that will be maintained.

Upon my return from Norway much to my delight, I received an email from
Chris. I look forward to staying in touch with him, along with a couple of the others.

Yes, it was a good, full week in Poland and I am ready to head even further north into the Nordic region of the world, where my own cultural roots lie deep.

In honor of Hungary

I am feeling a bit rattled this morning. I did not sleep well. Magdi and I got together for dinner last night. It was good to see her. It has been a while. We met at a quaint little outdoor cafe, sweetly tucked away under a canopy of trees, in the midst of some pretty incredible architectural wonders. So very very romantic, for one that comes from a more austere region of the world. For the locals, this environment is just part of their lives, as they have always known it. A tasty salad, salmon crepes with a glass of wine, and then a cup of hot chocolate. Oh my, the very rich creamy chocolate drink was unlike any I have ever had. Quite wonderful. Surely I will have another, some day soon, now that I know of this delicacy. (a pondering; I’m intrigued with the notion that something as wonderful as this has been present all along, but not until I become aware of it, could I partake. How many treasures are just waiting to be discovered, enjoyed and fully welcomed into the life? And not even hidden, but rather treasures just waiting to be discovered and and enjoyed , because that’s what they were created for. That is their purpose, to provide pleasure. Some are even publicized, right there on the menu, ready to be ordered up. Ready to give and to be received. I will keep my eyes open, and in the meantime be grateful when someone helps by pointing them out to me and when appropriate,I will do the same.. . Thank you Magdi! )

So, here I am with Magdi, born and raised in Hungary, with deep ancestral roots in this land. And as you can imagine, I am eager to hear of her life story, as a native Hungarian. How has it been for her, living in the midst of such an important period in the life of Hungarian history ? (She lived in the USA for a number of years and teaches English, so we are able to have a thorough conversation.)

As we finished our meal and are sharing life stories, the topic of alcoholism comes up. I know it well, from my own family of origin, and I had heard it was a problem here in Hungary. Hungary ranks high on the list of European countries plagued with the illness along with depression and suicide. There is unhappiness in Hungary. What does she attribute it to? Hungary is finally a liberated country, free to create Her own future, so it seems, now that the Russians are gone. What is the burden? After having visited the Holocaust museum on Sunday, it is not difficult to imagine. Additionally, after having dipped into Hungarian history for the past two months, it is clear that the challenges Hungarians have had to deal with for a very long time, run deep. SHE has had a hard life, with many hundreds of years of having to defend her right for freedom and independence and respect. Unfortunately too many times, partnering up with the “wrong guy”. The guy who did not have her best interest in mind, but rather His own, self serving power seeking, domination driven interests. I am speaking of Austria, Germany and Russia. And yes, Turkey before that, although She did not choose Him. They all recognized something precious and valuable here and unfortunately She was all too willing to receive their “support” Undoubtedly with many regrets, having paid some very heavy prices for that “support”. (I recognize this story, feeling as though I have heard it before).

Sadness wells up, as I write this. As it did for Magdi as she tells a story of her family making their trip to Germany to visit family. They were allowed to travel outside of Hungary, once every 3 years. Her aunt invited them to come live with her. To move out of Hungary, and be free from the oppressive Communist government. . Her father declines the offer. And the sadness, I ask as I try to connect with Magi in her grief. .She shares how touched she was that her fathers love for his country, his homeland was so great that he would not abandon Her. This is where he and his family belonged. And there is sadness. Because with that deep seated commitment comes hardship, difficult and challenging times for himself and his family. And that hardship lives on today. Her father is an engineer, an educated man. He is in his mid 60's and is loosing his memory. Magdi is not sure whether it is a physiological condition or whether he no longer chooses to remember. She fears he has "given up, lost interest". The burden has gotten too heavy, and he needs to set it down. He has carried it long enough.

As we talked about the depression and the alcoholism, I asked about how people are getting help in dealing with their haunted past, in order to heal. Were there public programs available to help the masses process such unhealed wounds that lie not- so-dormant, within the psyche of the Hungarian people. She felt as though it was an inside job, one person at a time, while also hopeful that with each generation, the consciousness of the times, would serve as a healing agent. For now, she will do her own inner work and when waking up with nightmares, she will continue to let them go, affirming “they do not belong to her”. She is part of the generation that does have an opportunity to participate in the creation of a new life, here in Hungary. And today, the people struggle as they attempt to do so, with little clarity as to how to make such a major shift from one political system to another. It is as if they are still recovering from years of trauma, not quite ready to make necessary changes required in order to move into full potential. For those with vision, patience seems to run a bit thin, while the commitment and love for this place remains steady.



With the Holocaust experience fresh in my mind, having just visited the Museum I asked what her understanding was regarding Hungary's' role in the genocide. Since my journey thru that dreadful time in human history, I have had many questions. How could the Hungarians have participated in the demise of so many hundreds of thousands of innocent individuals, Jewish Romas-Gypsy and homosexual? One third of the millions of the victims were either Hungarian citizens or deported from Hungary. Many of these crimes were committed by Hungarians themselves, who were part of the political and intellectual elite, social and professional organizations. I found myself taking a second look at the people of Hungary. There were so many stories told of the involvement of the Hungarian Arrow Cross regime, and their participation in the utter atrocities committed against their own people, people who they had lived and worked and played with for many generations. And the churches, who turned their back on these people, all children of God. And the “innocent by standers” who allowed their neighbors, friends, colleagues to be deported off to concentration camps to be tortured, brutally used for so called medical experimentation, forced into slave labor camps and eventually murdered in masses? How could they possibly have supported a government, committing such horrific acts as that of Hitler and his followers, Hungarian, Austrian and German?? How could it happen ?

(Unable to fully comprehend it all, unfortunately, as is often the case when in such a predicament, I leaned towards drawing a conclusion. A conclusion which fell within the realm of good and bad, right and wrong. In do so, there is no question which camp Hitler belonged to. But, what about the Hungarian people. The people of this country I have enjoyed living in the midst of for the past two months. Where do they fit, in my simplistic, naive, self-protecting storyline. Yes, I am rattled.

Since being here, I have had the real pleasure of developing relationships with both Andrew, whose Jewish grandfather left Hungary to live in the USA, and Magdi a native Hungarian. Obviously, each having very different history's here. Both carrying wounds of their ancestry, as they are products of their past, as we all are. I care for them both. I feel a deep connection with them. And, as I bear witness to the realities they are part of, I am confronted with my attempts to ease the pain as I try o reconcile the two.


As Magdi and I continued our conversation, she talked about the guilt that the Hungarian people carry regarding their contribution to the Holocaust and the incredible amount of fear they felt as they lived with the brutal, life threatening intimidation f the Nazi's.
The Jewish themselves felt some of the same, as the question would arise, did they resist, at the risk of creating greater harm or did they comply. The Zionists resisted, often generating criticism from their own. Comply, as I use the word, I feel a heavy dread sweep over me.

My paradigm does not serve me and I am willing to set it down and open my heart to embracing the fullness of the Story.



I recently heard that Mother Mary is the Patron Saint here. I certainly have felt Her presence, from the beginning of my visit, as I have explored the feminine in the many different aspects. Starting out with the video describing the ecological state of affairs on planet earth, to my curiosity with the women, and their high heeled shoes and exposed cleavages, to the multitude of young ones helping to repopulate this country, to the celebration of the Goddess at the Festival, to the luscious hot baths, the quiet dark places of a low burning flame, and the playful, all embracing rain; all so deliciously feminine. SHE has been most present and available to me, while here. So as I heard of the Mothers prominent role in the culture here, I was not at all surprised. And a real sense of peace came over me. Peace in knowing that in the midst of such a time of transition, the country is well cared for and loved. And just as Magdi''s father has a great love for his country, this country has a great love for Her people and with that love, the much needed healing of the past surely will take place and the Hungarians will flourish into their fullness and there will be reason to celebrate, not only for them but for the entire European community they are an honorable part of. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to experience Her in this particular place and time.

a pilgrimage

A couple of nights before leaving for Budapest, Juli and I attended an evening event with Latif Bolat, a Sufi musician and storyteller.
Somehow it came up in conversation, that I was going to be spending the next three months in Budapest, at which point Latif enthusiastically encouraged me to be sure to stop by and meet Gul Baba, and while there "please give him his love". I have always felt a kinship with the Sufis, not really understanding why. Suspecting that it probably has something to do with a past life. Don't know? But I certainly welcomed the opportunity to meet this highly respected and much loved spiritual leader of the Bektashi derwish order, right here in his region of the world. Somehow it all felt very auspicious and certainly something I looked forward to. Finally, a truley authentic Sufi experience. Maybe I will even get to whirl!


As you know, I have already visited the Turkish Ruddas Bath a number of times now, and continue to enjoy them. Patiently though, I was reserving my visit to meet Gul Baba for just the right time. I knew it was going to be a significant visit and I wanted to make sure I did not rush into it prematurely. Meanwhile, as my weeks unfolded I began to get some perspective on this country, this place and its people. I started becoming familiar with its history. And sure enough, a history which included the rulership of the Ottoman Empire for 150 years, back –in the 1500’s. That was up until when they attempted to over take Vienna, and were defeated by the Hapsburgs. At which point the Austria Empire began to move in and take control of Hungary, forcing the Turks out of the country. As a Christian regime, there was a thorough cleansing of that which represented the Muslims including the destruction of all Mosques, many bridges and fountains. The Ruddas Baths survived the demolition, being the first of a very long and highly valued and much enjoyed tradition here in Budapest. The Turks contributed a great deal to the culture of Hungary, introducing many new trades, including tayloring, leather and tin smithing, and new techniques for tanning. And not to forget that most treasured spice, no Hungary kitchen would dare be without, paprika! (I am suspicious that there is a deeply esoteric connection between New Mexico and Hungary and even Turkey, and it is in that red hot spice that neither would we want to be without!).

So, onto the website I go, hoping to find my way to Gul Baba, “Father of the Rose”, representing the beauty and purity of his heart. As I googled, much to my chagrin, I discovered that the wise man was actually bigger than life, and that in order to meet with him,
I would need to visit his turbe (tome), where he has been laid to rest since 1541. With a quite lovely bronze statue made in his likeness and

the six sided mausoleum memorializing his life, visitors are welcomed to pay him homage and sit in his presence for as long as one likes. In fact, as the northernmost sacred site for Muslims, many people of the faith do so, every year. I made my pilgrimage there and am happy I did.
And so while I was not able to actually meet with him in person, flesh to flesh, in my time of meditation I imagined that I did, actually leaving feeling quite satisfied with the visit. I did indeed give him Latifs warm regards and he responded in kind. I later emailed Latif, sharing of the message, along with some pictures. He replied with a note of appreciation, expressing his own desire to make the trip some day.

Don't be a spectator on this trip,

There is no death worse than just waiting around.

Set your heart on the heros's gold

and go.

-Rumi

the week that was with Johan Galtung.....

For a number of weeks now, in my mind and heart, I have carried this blog entry with me.Somewhat, patiently waiting for the right time to share it, encountering reservation, reluctance and resistance along the way. Meanwhile, I have done a good bit of journaling about this part of my adventure, including the downloading of pictures onto my blog site. I have been perplexed by the hesitation, while contemplating the meaning of it. Could this seemingly significant experience possibly have been a figment of my I imagination? Or could it be more about a creative process in which a new life is requiring needed privacy in order to gestate into the fullness that it holds the promise of becoming? Today, I am going to take time to capture, to the best of my ability, my days in Austria, June 23rd-27th 2008, honoring its passage in my life, while continuing to respect its autonomy.

So, here we go.
On June 20, Eva called and asked if I was interested in visiting her at the college she was attending, for summer school; The European University Center for Peace Studies, in Stadschlaining, Austria. They welcome visitors and she was happy to accommodate a roommate for the week. I asked her if there were any programs she recommended highly enough, to warrant the trip. While I welcomed the opportunity to see the countryside, I was still quite protective of my time here in Budapest. I was not too interested in leaving anytime soon! She informed me that they were all good, but that beginning on Monday, June 24th, one of the founders of the program would be providing the instruction. “He is controversial” she warned, “but quite intelligent.” Not one to shy away from “heavy-weights”, actually quite attracted to them, my interest had been piqued and with my readiness intact, I started packing. Just two days and a three hour train trip away, and I would be there. Sunday afternoon I set out for the train station, which actually was quite an experience. Hungarians are not any more enthusiastic about speaking English, than the French. That is not to say they are unwilling, especially if they have any interest in our language. I am sure that as a predominantly English speaking country, we in the USA could be experienced similarly. Here, though they are burdened with the expectation that they speak at least some English! The Hungarians have been told what they should do, for a very long time. I take no offense to any indignation they may carry. And, finding someone that was able to help me in purchasing a train ticket, in order to get to a town I had not a clue as to how to pronounce, was a real challenge. Somehow, with a piece of paper in hand, with my destination written in my very best hand writing, I achieved my goal, and onto the train I went. Later discovering that I had actually purchased a one way ticket, rather than the round trip one I had intended. Oh well, I was well on my way.

Eva and her new friends from Africa greeted me at the train station. First, off to the grocery store, to shop for the week. Yikes, still an overwhelming experience, with so many unidentifiable labels. This was clearly going to be a fruit and vegetable week, with lots of salads. And then, onto the college, some 30 km down the road. During the 40 minute ride, I sat in the back seat with two of the woman. One was a Sister from Uganda, and the other a mediator from Zimbabwe.
They were quite eager to respond to my infinite curiosities, regarding life in their countries. The Sister works in an orphanage, taking care of children who have lost their parents to warfare. The other woman works in a reconciliation program. I asked about the HIV epidemic in Africa, and was told that it is in fact on the decline and that the biggest health concern today is malaria. I was touched by the conversation and felt an ongoing connection with them, thru out the week.

The train station was actually in Hungary, so that we had to cross the Austrian border in order to get to the college. . Crossing into Austria, the concrete barbed-wired border remains, lifeless and unpatrolled. I found myself thinking of the street artists, imaging what a great place this would be for them to declare themselves and celebrate their independence. Finally, after arriving, unpacking our groceries into a ‘filled to the brim’ refrigerator shared by 5 students, getting situated in the room and washing up, it was time to go to bed. There was a big week ahead.

I am now going to move forward to the journal entries I have written since returning home to Budapest. They actually begin a couple of days after returning from Austria and with great enthusiasm I write;

“Back, after one of the most exhilarating weeks of my life! It has been two days since returning to Budapest and I am still reeling from the experience. I have put off writing, in hopes that all that I took in would somehow calm down and I would find the means of sharing the fullness of the experience in a coherent manner. And yet as the days unfold, I remain as stimulated as the days before.”

-so, onto the week that was; and into the classroom with Professor Johan Galtung, self identified as the resource person, rather than teacher. From Oslo Norway. Prof. Galtung is considered to be one of the founding figures in the academic discipline of Peace Studies, having written and published an infinite number of articles and books on the subject. For over the past 50 years, he has taught in Universities and meditated conflict throughout the world. (for more http://www.rightlivelihood.org/galtung.html ) In addition to his illustrious academic career and vast range of experiences, as a long time practitioner of Buddhism, his understanding of peace runs deep. I found the combination of his fine intellect and expansive consciousness quite frankly, mind blowing. Thru-out the entire week, I felt to be in the presence of a great being, with the capacity and willingness to share deeply and compassionately the full range of his knowledge and wisdom. Never before has my mind and all of its interests concerning global issues been addressed so fully. And my heart burst open from the rich and overflowing generosity of this peace maker.

Having committed my life to more fully comprehending my divine nature, I have for the most part, overlooked the realities of this world, in which I live. And while harboring a desire for greater understanding of the rich complexities within it, it has seem to have alluded me.

As a traveler, I find my greatest sense of meaning in the journey. . It is here that I experience the fullness of life. It is here that magic happens. It is when traveling that I come face to face with life. It is when traveling that I connect with my larger self, and I love it. Even in the midst of the languages barriers, even in the midst of learning new territory and all of the awkwardness’s that come with it, I feel most alive in this place, out on the edge.

So here I am in Dr. Galtungs’ classroom, in the presence of 40 some students from all over the world, traveling with them into their homelands of Ireland, England, France, Italy, Norway, Austria, Japan, Afghanistan, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Albania, Canada, USA, Australia, addressing specific conflicts. What an incredible journey , as each student spoke of situations in their own country, situations that are touching them and their loved ones, quite personally.

Galtung discussed deep culture and deep structure, as major contributing factors in the wide range of conflict as it manifests. I had planned to share so much more about this theory, but have decided not to, other than to say that the "Manifest Destiny" that we as Americans hold firm to, appears to contribute greatly to our own deep culture. Unexplored, wrecking havoc.

He began his career as a peacemaker at the age of 12, when he witnessed his father being taken away to a Nazi concentration camp. Throughout his fathers’ incarceration, he continually encouraged the other detainees that the war would soon end and that they would eventually be freed. When asked what made him so sure, he replied,” because Hitler does not know when to stop. His insatiable hunger for power would be his demise." An aspect of deep culture that continues to create great violence, personally and globally. Prof. Galtungs' father did survive the holocaust, unlike millions less fortunate.


In Johans late teens, as an activist, he spent 6 months in jail, after insisting that his social service, in lieu of military service, be done in the area of peace works. From then on he has committed his life to civic duty in pursuit of peace. His commitment runs deep and thorough.

For four full days, we roamed the world, moving from the depths of genetics to the human psyche into social and cultural beliefs and values to the far reaching manifestations of acts of violence and into the means in which to reconcile the past, embrace a more peaceful presence and cultivate a more life supporting future. Quite a vast range of territory we covered. No wonder my mind was blown and my heart was overwhelmed with enthusiasm which comes with greaeter understanding and hope.

As one would expect, he had quite a good bit to say of the US Empire, as he called it. He and his wife have lived in the United States a good bit, continuing to have a residence there. And while he is able to recognize the contributions that the USA does have to offer the world, he is quite confident that we are rapidly moving towards our own demise which according to him has been in the making for quite some time. And while Evil Empire was not part of his vernacular he made it perfectly clear just how misguided he believes the US government to be, particularly in its international relations. I, along with the other US patriots present, did our very best, not to take it personally, while the question continued to roam around in our minds as to what it is that we can do to participate in the intervention of such narcissistic, irresponsible behavior as demonstrated by our own government. Our government which is causing so much strife for individuals thru out the world. Howard Zinn doe a nice job of describing the US Empire in this little video: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article20258.htm

I think I will stop here as my journey continues to unfold and I wish to stay current.



The classes at the EUPS are held in the Schlaining Castle, which dates back to 1271. In 1982 it became the home of the Institute for Peace Research. In 1987 the Peace University was created. Together the two programs presence in the castle reflects a commitment of moving from a "place of power and war, to the nurturing of a consciousness of peace". Once referred to as the castle for the devil is now known as the Castle for Peace.

Here are pictures of Stadtschlanining, Austria, very quaint and well manicured. It is the smallest university town in the world, with a pop. of 600.

I will not forget my week with Prof. Johan Galtung. He has surely sparked an even greadesire to contribute more fully to the healing of past wounds, while contributing to the cultivation of deeper life supporting connection.
The mystery lies in what form this passion will take. I do believe that with each desire comes the means for fulfillment. I am enjoying the journey there.

I will always be grateful to the Professor for the gift he has given me. Thank you Johan Galtung for sharing the fullness of your being. You are an inspiration to me and many others.

"Peace appeals to the hearts; studies to the brain. Both are needed, indeed indispensable. But equally indispensable is a valid link between brain and heart. And that, in a nutshell, is what peace studies and peace practice are all about."
Johan Galtung