For those who are able to join — see you tomorrow, Thursday 11/27. Practicing with you has continued to help with my recovery from the mild traumatic brain injury. It is so joyful to move and breathe together.
I recently practiced the Haudenosaunee Greetings to the Natural World with the Tranquil Lotus Sangha in the Plum Village tradition and wanted to share the resources with you. As I read and listened to these greetings and expressions of gratitude to our relatives in the natural world, I was reminded of qì gōng—how we move qì in relationship with the abundant qì of water, earth, trees, and so much more.
Resource:
https://www.btpm.org/local/2024-11-28/the-haudenosaunee-and-the-power-of-thanksgiving
Gratitude and Genuine Security
Giving thanks is not complete without genuine security and action
- such as supporting landback movements in the U.S.
– feminist landback movements in Okinawa (trigger warning: sexual violence)
youth-led movements for sovereignty and demilitarization—such as those in Palau.
End of the Month Reflection: $15 Comic Book – Okinawa and Genuine Security
As we approach the end of November, thank you for practicing together. I invite you to reflect on how our community of practice has nourished you and your commitment to genuine security.
If you have the capacity, please consider offering dāna to a community working toward genuine security—or to me, if that feels right.
People have sent poetry, drawings, checks, cards, seeds, puzzles, tea…
Dāna for me can be sent to:
PO Box 1313, Monterey Park, CA 91754
Another option is purchasing a $15 comic on Okinawan feminists fight for genuine security by artist @samnakahira, commissioned by Women for Genuine Security.
Artist @samnakahira writes:
“Thank you Women for Genuine Security for this commission, a comic about Okinawa’s decades long struggle for demilitarization and protest against the U.S. military occupation. Print copies are available through @genuine_security at bit.ly/wgscomic & I’ll have copies available at @comicartsla 🫶
In my bio, I attached a report with U.S. military crimes and sexual assault against women in Okinawa between 1945-2016 (selection of reported cases, not all encompassing). Truly, U.S. imperialism is built on the oppression of women.
While this comic focuses on Okinawan women, the violence they live under is shared by all non-white women and non men who live along the fence lines of the 800+ U.S. military bases. The U.S. needs to gtfo of Okinawa and everywhere!
Cw for sexual assault, violence towards women and girls, US military, war. Please take care while reading ❤️🩹”
Sending loving kindness.
Dr. Kathy Yep 