Palestine

Ilana Meallem: Warrior.

February 19, 2012 By Atalwin Pilon 3 Comments

Ilana is a warrior who uses her heart as her weapon. Her heart works together with her voice. Her words seem to flow softly and gently from a deep, limitless source, every word reaching it’s destination in the hearts of others. After walking me to the bus stop she gave me a long warm hug and whispered her blessings in my ear. The only thing I remember is that I had tears in my eyes after 4 sentences and that I felt a river of goodness coming over me, so overwhelming that my concern became not to drown her and soak her shoulder.

Listen to her message:

Openness works miracles

February 10, 2012 By Atalwin Pilon 2 Comments

In order to experience fearlessness, it is necessary to experience fear. The essence of cowardice is not acknowledging the experience of fear. Fear has to be acknowledged. We have to realize our fear and reconcile ourselves with fear. If we look into our fear, if we look beneath its veneer, the first thing we find is sadness, beneath the nervousness. When we slow down, when we relax with our fear, we find sadness, which is calm and gentle. Sadness hits you in your heart and your body produces a tear. You feel sad and lonely. That is the first tip of fearlessness and, and the first sign of real warriorship.

Fighting for peace, against the odds

February 9, 2012 By Atalwin Pilon 15 Comments

The hardest thing is to not give up. Every time I post something I hope that readers, friends or strangers, will comment so I won’t feel like I am exposing myself to a dark, silent void. But instead of creating more it seems like I am creating less. It brings up doubt in me. But seeing the people work here has made me change my mind. I will no longer hope for more interaction nor will I keep checking the visitor statistics. But I will keep sharing, as consistently as possible. Miles lives in his kitchen, Ilana and Itamar in a tent in the desert. They have given up all their privacy; I can give up more of my need for approval and recognition.

Arriving in a difficult place with beautiful people

February 5, 2012 By Atalwin Pilon 1 Comment

The energy of my trip changed this morning. Recently I learned that exercise and meditation is the way to stay grounded in vulnerable times. To honor that insight I started this morning with 4o minutes of sitting on the bed of my hostel in Jerusalem. After breakfast I did 30 more. Then I went into the souk to get my beard trimmed (I’m growing my beard to look more muslim, I’m not kidding). Went back to the hostel to get my bags and stroll to the busstation. I passed by a money exchange and wanted to use the ATM. Instead of letting me use the ATM the guy presented me a portable PIN device like you see in bars and restaurants and swiped my card. Once I as walking outside I realized I was robbed of 20+ dollars. I saw my anger and my impulses to start a riot come up in my awareness. I grinned and realized that practicing meditation doesn’t keep people from robbing you.

Are you ready to become a Warrior?