Compassion and Capability

I feel a strong, emotional connection with Kat and Maria, best friends who are just beginning their fifth year of medical school in Northern England.  They are very grounded in their femininity, very earthy, compassionate and capable.  Both of them are strikingly beautiful, although quite different, like the sisters Rose-White and Rose-Red.  Kat has pale, …

Namo Buddha (Hail to the Buddha) and Nepali Women

3 July 2, 2011 Yesterday I visited an important Buddhist shrine, Namo or Naya Buddha, with two other volunteers, Shannon and Darima, and a group of Hindu women from the Women's Center. I teach these Nepali women English, and they taught me more about Nepali spirituality than any book or article I’ve read.  They don't …

Good Morning Nepal

Today is the first of my real working days here in Nepal.  For now, my schedule will be: 7am  Orphanage—where there are six children who have been rescued from the street. 9am --Breakfast of dal bhat and water 11am—Women’s Center, where I will be teaching very poor women how to speak conversational English 1pm—short break …

under the radar

I hang out with a group of women in their forties and fifties.  A few of us in their sixties, and a few in their twenties.  What do we have in common?  You could mention loss, heartache, trauma, success, strength, chutzpah, charm, beauty, brains. You could say we are women who are awake.  What holds …