How God and Quakerism changes your brain

I've been deeply impressed by a book called "How God Changes Your Brain" by Dr. Mark Waldman, a neuro-scientist who has done significant research on how various spiritual practices affect brain functioning. What most impressed me is how this research validates what I have experienced as a Friend. In fact, I am thinking of writing an article called "How God and Quakerism Changes Your Brain."

Dr. Waldman began his workshop by telling a story that touched my heart as a Quaker. He told of a very old rabbi who was asked to speak at an interfaith event. The rabbi was in his 90s and walked so slowly to the podium that people were afraid he might not make it. When he finally reached the podium, he paused for a long, long time. The pause was so long that some people wondered if he was having a senior moment and had forgotten why he was standing there.

Finally, the rabbi smiled and spoke these wise, memorable words:

"I hope what I have to say will be an improvement on the silence."

This story confirms what Friends and other contemplatives know experientially. Silence is not "dead air"; it is not something to fear or to fill up with words and activities; it is precious and can be deeply healing. One of the important discoveries of brain research is that relaxation through meditation and/or silent worship affects your brain functioning in many positive ways. (Research also shows that yawning can achieve similar results.)

Quakers place more emphasis on silence and "presence" than on words, which confirms what brain research has shown to be important factors in communicating. In a section on compassionate communication, Dr. Waldman notes that the most important communicator is facial expression, followed by body language, tone of voice, speed of speech, and numbers of words used to convey a message. If one smiles, speaks slowly, briefly and clearly from the heart, people are more apt to listen and receive your message positively.

Negative words like "No, terror, bad" instantly cause the brain to emit chemicals that can be harmful, while the use of positive words like "peace, love, joy" causes the brain to emit chemicals that can actually prolong life.

Dr. Waldman is careful to provide notes and sources showing that all his assertions are backed by peer-reviewed scientific studies.

As I took Dr. Waldman's workshop, listened to his CD, and read his book, I began to think about how our Quaker practices use many of these techniques. When people give vocal ministry during Quaker meeting for worship, they tend to speak more slowly and reflectively. Their facial expression tends to become gentler. They often smile in that Mona Lisa type way that Dr. Waldman says conveys compassion.

During a recent gathering of Quarterly meeting clerks, I decided to engage in an experiment. I began to observe how I felt during the meeting. What inward states was I experiencing?

Granted, this was not as scientific as a brain scan, but I have done enough meditating over the years to become fairly alert about what is happening inside me as I go through various experiences. I hope that someone like Dr. Waldman will someday be inspired to monitor the brain waves of participants in various kinds of religious meetings, including a Quaker business meeting. My hunch is that research will show that those who take part in Quaker business meetings have much more peaceful brain activity than those involved in conventional meetings.

The meeting I monitored began with a "check in" in which participants shared what was happening in their lives. The ten of us did this very unhurriedly, over a period of nearly an hour, with each person speaking for around 3 minutes and with approximately two or three minutes of silence between sharing. We began with 5-10 minutes of silence to center down. Then one Friend shared how he had not been looking forward to coming to an all-day meeting, but then had realized he wasn't coming just to give, but also to "draw from the well." The image of "drawing from the well" resonated with many of us and helped create a positive mindset that felt good.

Others shared from the personal lives. It felt good to hear what was being shared, and also to realize we were in no hurry. There was ample silence after each period of sharing in which we could reflect on what had been said. It felt good to know that no one was judging, criticizing, or offering advice. We were listening compassionately. We felt at peace.

I was especially moved when a friend shared her personal struggles. "I feel young, but my body is getting old," she said. She told us about the horrendous physical challenges she had been through over the past few months, but ended on an upbeat note. She told us about joyful times she had spent with her grand children, and how she was looking forward to coming to this meeting. "I knew I couldn't miss this," she said. "I need to be among my good friends."

Everyone spoke slowly and calmly, and from the heart. There was no "spiritual rhetoric," but now and then a pearl of wisdom emerged naturally (just the way pearls are produced in nature). This set the mood for our day's work. We managed to get through the day in a calm spirit of worship, except for one moment when Friends got a little excited about something I no longer can remember. Many of us started raising our hands to get the clerk's attention, and then the clerk said calmly:

"Let's have some time of silent worship."

We took a deep breath and centered down. After three or four minutes of calming silence, a Friend raised her hand, made a very clear point, and our issue was resolved. We moved on to the next business item in the spirit of worship.

During the meeting, we took time to make sure we were clear about our decisions. Our recording clerk read them back to us, and we paused and reflected. Is this really what Spirit wants us to do? Does this really convey the consensus of the group?

At the end of the afternoon, the minutes were read a final time, just to be sure we were all clear about what we had decided. Everything was done with deliberate slowness.

It felt very good, very calming.

What I have described is, I think, pretty typical of how seasoned Friends conduct business. When I first began to attend Quaker meetings 25 years ago, I found this process rather slow and even boring. But having experienced other groups and how they conduct business, I am convinced that the Quaker way is probably very good for the brain, as well as for the heart and the spirit. My hope and prayer is that other groups can learn how to conduct their business in a slow, reflective and Spirit-led way. I believe, and research has confirmed, that inner peace begins when we listen and communicate compassionately.

Good news about Muslims and Quakers

I'd like to share with you a post I just wrote for quakeruniversalist.org. This new blog is doing very well, by the way, and now has 36 subscribers. We post interesting news about Quakers and the interfaith movement almost daily. Among our most popular posts have been ones about Quakerism and Judaism, Khalil Gibran, the documentary "Out of Cordoba," Quakers and Buddhism, and Ram Dass ("Be Here Now").

*************

During the late summer, when the big story nationally was about opposition to the Islamic Center in lower Manhattan (the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque”), the big story here in Southern California was the effort on the part of fundamentalist Christians in Temecula to prevent a mosque from being built 3,000 miles from Ground Zero. Some of the opponents used zoning issues as an excuse, while others openly expressed their prejudices about Islam and their fears about terrorism.

I’m glad to report the Temecula Muslims have finally be allowed to build a place of worship just like other religious groups.

It wasn’t easy. Interfaith groups both locally and throughout Southern California rallied in support of Temecula Muslims, and so did Friends. Santa Monica Friends signed on to a letter of support you can read at http://laquaker.blogspot.com/2010/08/supporting-right-of-temecula-muslims-to.html. The Muslim community was very grateful for the support they received from non-Muslims, including Jews and Christians.

The city council of Temecula faced enormous pressure but stood firm in support of religious freedom. A meeting went on for eight and a half hours, in which both sides aired their views in a heated debate. Thanks be to the good sense of the city council, the First Amendment prevailed, and the Muslims were allowed to build their mosque:
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs092/1102150755525/archive/1104307004287.html

Another bit of good news came by way of Facebook. I learned that Friends from Chapel Hill, NC, have opened up their meetinghouse to the Muslim community:
“Some 30 Muslims from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community met to pray at the the Chapel Hill Friends Meeting, the worship hall facility for local Quakers, on Raleigh Road. Women gathered in the rear, while the men knelt in front, all facing toward Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the Muslim holy city.”Up until now, we were restricted to a room at UNC Hospitals,” said Yousef Mohsin, a junior at UNC from New York City. “I’m glad to have a place to worship.”
“It’s wonderful for students and the Muslim community, and provides a great platform for Muslims to get together,” said Sanam Sheikh of Chapel Hill.
Read the rest of the story at:
http://www.chapelhillnews.com/2011/01/26/62150/a-place-to-pray.html

It is always gratifying to read that Friends have opened up their meetinghouse to other faiths. When I went to Minneapolis Meeting this summer, I learned that Friends there are sharing their meetinghouse with a Jewish congregation. Such hospitality and sharing of worship space is what Universalism is all about.

Haiku written during a year at a Zen Center

Just
Sitting there

"Don't just do something…sit there!" - A Quaker expression

These haiku were written 25 years ago during a year I spent at the Providence, Rhode Island, Zen Center. This was an intense period of my life: I had just completed my Ph.D in British literature, my first marriage had come to a crashing end, and my mother was dying and needed my help as a caregiver. During this time of crisis, I discovered with great joy and relief the Quaker meeting in Princeton, NJ, and found the supportive spiritual community I desperately needed. I also found solace and empowerment in the practice of Quaker silent worship and Zen meditation.

On leave from academia, I began editing a magazine called "Fellowship in Prayer" (now called "Sacred Journeys"). This job gave me the opportunity to meet spiritual teachers from various traditions and to explore a variety of spiritual practices--thereby beginning what has become an interfaith ministry. Feeling drawn to Zen Buddhism, I decided to spend a year at the Zen Center in Providence, RI.

A book could be written about this fascinating year, and I intended to write one. But what I ended up writing was a series of haiku describing my experiences as a series of snap shots.

My teacher was Seung Sahn, one of the first Korean Zen masters to settle in the USA. I never formed a close bond with him--he traveled a lot, supervising his various Zen centers--but what I remember best is a story about him that my friend Ellen Sider told. Ellen was a sculptress as well as a Zen practitioner. Early in her practice, she went to Seung Sahn with some haiku she had written and asked for his opinion.

"They are very nice," he replied. "But you must learn to be stupid."

I have never forgotten that lesson. In the spiritual life, we must not strive to be clever, but rather to tap into the deep wisdom that is beyond words.

During this period I also learned important spiritual lessons from my Quaker friend and teacher Teresina Havens. Terry, as she was known, was a brilliant woman who had completed her Ph. D. at Yale in the 1930s--her dissertation was about the Buddhist teacher Nichiren who she felt was closest of all the Buddhists to the spirit of George Fox and Quakerism. During their retirement, Terry and her husband Joe started a retreat center near Amherst called Temenos. This center had close ties with the Providence Zen Center, and I often went to Temenos to spend time with the Havens.

Terry was one of the most vitally alive people I have ever known. She and her husband put into practice the Quaker testimony on simplicity and lived on a hilltop in a camp without running water or electricity. They organized workshops and raised awareness about social as well as spiritual concerns. Despite her aged body and stooped back, Terry had taken up sacred dancing and was eager to explore new ways to embody the Spirit.

One day as I watched Terry brush her hair out doors in the midst of a birch grove, a haiku came to me. In that moment, in a flash of insight, I saw that Terry's spirit as eternally spring-like, continually renewing itself.

I hope that in reading these haiku, you catch some glimpses of what is eternally present--this precious moment in which we live and breathe and have our being.

A number of these haiku have been published in various magazines, and a series of them appeared recently in a Quaker book called "Enlivened by the Mystery: Quakers and God": http://westernfriend.org/books/#more-425 I encourage you to go to this site and learn more about how the Spirit works among Friends.

****************

harvest moon
entering the dark temple
i bow to shadows



in silence
awaiting the teacher's bell
windchimes


meditating-
our shadows on the floor
pass so quickly...


a parked car
racing its engine; an incense stick
drops ash


chips scatter!
he whacks away at his still
unfinished Buddha


straining to see
the blue heron come again....
frogsplash!


just before dawn
moon fading above the trees--
deer at the saltlick


first freeze--
a leaf on a film of ice
trickling water


a fly
buzzes round the window. . .
icy winds


Buddha's
enlightenment day--so much ado
about Nothing!


stopping by
the drugstore on a snowy evening--
may i help you, please?


running across
the room, a child plops down
on Master's cushion


shaku hachi flute
by flickering candlelight--
butterfly dreams


cold spring night--
no wind, no sound at all...
then two peepers


Beneath cold stars
a monk walks slowly past us
following his breath


meditating--
a black fly leisurely breakfasts
on my nose


put down your broom!
this hairy humpbacked spider
was also your mother


near some birches
a woman brushes her white hair
first day of spring


fee-bee, fee-bee
the song the chickadees sang
the day my wife left


spring winds:
so much depends
on what i can't see


in the old garage
ledgers and notebooks rot
with last fall's leaves


among misty pines
at sunset, a hermit thrush
lifts its tail and sings


how brightly the sun
glistens on the web spun last night
on this tarnished buddha!

A Re-birthday Poem for Bill Taber, Quaker mystic

I have decided to dig into what I call my "Emily Dickinson drawer" and pull out some old poems written in other lifetimes. This poem was written at Pendle Hill 25 years ago when I was studying with Bill Taber, a Conservative Friend with such a deep mystical awareness it was contagious: you couldn't help feeling peaceful in his presence. He wrote a classic PH pamphlets like the "Four Doors of Worship" and "Prophetic Stream." But what was most memorable about Bill Taber was the fact that more than any other Friend I have known, he lived almost continually in an altered state of consciousness, deeply mindful of the Inward Light within himself and others. Just sitting next to him, you could felt as if you were entering a river of peace, what he called the "prophetic stream." So I wrote this poem to convey something of what it was like to be in the presence of a true Friend.

RE-BIRTHDAY POEM

(For William Taber)

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time unto his mother's womb, and be born?--

John, 3:4

Softly, but irresistibly, the wind blows....
he feels it deep inside
and does not shrink away.

He sits and waits
until the healing breath flows through him--

until the eyes of his heart open
and the red bird flies
out of its cage, lights on a withered tree,
and sings....

He sits until the song of silence
turns his silver hair to gold.

Marriage as a Spiritual Journey, and a Leap of Faith

I have been thinking a lot about marriage, and re-marriage, lately. Marriage is a very challenging spiritual discipline, a leap of faith, though very few people see it in this light. Many see marriage as a romantic adventure, or as a commitment to raise a family--both good and necessary components of marriage. But there is yet another dimension--what Christians call agape, or selfless Love. Agape Love is the glue that keeps a marriage together and strong, and makes it fulfilling and beautiful, for the long haul, "until death do us part," and beyond.

Today over half of marriages in the USA end in divorce, leaving both parties traumatized and wary of love. Those who marry a second time have a 65% divorce rate, and the rate is even higher for third timers. Yet people keep trying, hoping against hope. As Dr. Johnson said, "Marriage is the triumph of hope over experience."

Many people experience romantic love and have sex, and then bear and raise children; and if they are lucky, their relationship evolves into something like friendship. But few discover their soul mates and experience what it means to love with one's whole heart and soul.

Over the past few months, I have talked to quite a number of women and very few have a clue about what it means to love and be loved deeply. Those who have an inkling of what it means are for the most part widows who have had a relationship similar to the one I had with my wife of blessed memory. It's been very precious to share memories and insights with those who know what it's like to be married to one's best friend and soul mate.

Last night, I opened the journal that my wife of blessed memory kept during the year before she passed. Her words, written on November 20, 2008, describe beautifully and simply what a marriage of true minds (and hearts) is all about. Since this experience is such a rarity, and yet one that so many wish to have, I feel her testimony is worth sharing.

"Anthony and I had a very special time a the end of today sharing our feelings of deep love and appreciation for each other! At our cancer support groups this evening we realized that we are at a very different level of healing than the other members of the group. Most of them are still struggling with emotional healing. Anthony's caregivers' group especially are struggling to care for traditional husbands who show little appreciation for their hard work. Emotional upheavals, blame, hurt feelings and frustration is the pattern of their struggle to give care.

"We remember those times in our marriage when we had those deep painful struggles as well. And as we talked last night, we realized that our practice of constant words and expressions of appreciation and thanks to each other over the years has healed the deep pain felt by most when their needs have not been met. In fact, we spend most of our energy trying to meet meet other's needs. That is in fact our greatest goal, to serve each other with love. Whatever we give like this we receive as much back.

"Anthony reminded us of the words of St Thomas a Kempis on how to live a Christian life: 1) Seek to serve others 2) Seek to work in the humblest place.

"Then we laughed at the reaction our support group would have to this advice--they'd think we were hopelessly out of touch with 'reality,' living in a romantic dream world.

"But it's really the 'fullness of life' world that God created us to live in! We both feel blessed to have found a life partner who was eager to work on emotional feelings, healing of mind and spirit through the years. It is miraculous when two people of like mind find each other."

*****

Living the 'fullness of life' with one's partner, even in the face of death, is a miracle too deep for words. But I hope these words help us to see that such a marriage is not rocket science, it simply requires constant practice and care, like learning to sing or to dance or to play a musical instrument. I am grateful to Kathleen for taking the time to practice this sacred dance with me, and to help us both live in harmony with the Spirit who created us to love and be loved forever.

"Black Tulips": A Story of Love and Courage from War-Weary Afghanistan

Over 400 members of interfaith community of Los Angeles, along with dignitaries from Afghanistan and elsewhere, gathered at the Museum of Tolerance to view the movie “Black Tulip” by Afghan film-maker Sonia Nassery Cole. This film is the official submission from Afghanistan to the Academy Awards so this screening in Los Angeles was an important event. The film was also screened in Kabul, an extremely dangerous venue. Afghanistan once had a thriving film industry, but the Taliban closed it down. Since this film is highly critical of the Taliban, screening the film in Kabul took a lot of chutzpah. Ms. Cole was advised by General Petraeus not to screen this film in this venue, but she was determined to do so.

If an award were given for courage, Ms. Cole would certainly deserve it. “Black Tulips” was filmed in Afghanistan under extremely dangerous and trying conditions, something that the makers of “Kate Runner” didn’t have the audacity to do. (That movie was filmed in China.) As “Black Tulips” was being shot, bombs were exploding in the streets near their hotel and several camera and crew members went home, afraid for their lives. Neither these defections nor daily death threats nor rampant corruption deterred the irrepressible Ms. Cole.

“Come hell, come shine, I was going to make this movie,” she said.

Ms. Cole also deserves kudos for her inspiring portrayal of Afghan women. They are presented as intelligent, courageous, compassionate and extraordinarily beautiful. When I told this to my Afghan woman friend, she replied, “Of course, she was just being accurate.”

The plot involves an Afghan woman named Farishta who, along with her reluctant but supportive husband, opens up a restaurant called “The Poet’s Corner” where patrons are free to voice their opinions and feelings via an open mike. Many speak out again the Taliban, and this of course leads to trouble.

The film is visually powerful and captures the beauty of Afghan life and landscape in a way I have never before seen on film.

Ms. Cole, 45, is a woman of many talents and gifts--a true visionary whose work springs from a deep spiritual base. In addition to directing the film and writing the screenplay, she plays the leading role. The film is partly based on her own experiences. She knows first-hand the cruelty of the Russians since she was forced to flee to the U.S. after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. She was also harassed by the Taliban during her filming of the movie.

Ms Cole is not only a film maker but a humanitarian. As noted in her bio, she “created the Afghanistan World Foundation, which supports the economic and social development of her home country. Cole then made The Breadwinner, a short documentary about a day in the life of a nine-year old Afghan boy, Farouk, who supports his parents and siblings.”

I was deeply impressed and moved by The Black Tulip, and even more impressed by the film maker herself who was present for Q and A and shared the story of how her film was made. That story is so interesting it deserves to be made into a documentary.

I did not find the film entirely satisfying, however. As a peace activist, I was concerned that it presented a distorted view of what is happening in Afghanistan--one that could help imperialistic Americans to justify the "Long War"--the 50-year war that the military is planning in order to "tame" the Muslim world and make it safe for American interests.

A big red flag for me was the movie's idealized portrayal of American soldiers. They are not only benevolent, but also heroic. They totally supported the "Poet's Corner" restaurant--symbol of Afghan freedom. When the owners' daughter is abducted, the American soldiers bravely rescue her.

There is no hint that American soldiers ever do anything that cause the death of innocent Afghan or do anything that might provoke a backlash or an insurgency.

If American soldiers are so benign, why did a recent poll show that 55% of Afghans want them to leave? In the Q and A, Ms. Cole was challenged by a woman leader of the Afghan community and asked about the presence of 150,000 American soldiers in Afghanistan. Ms. Cole responded that most American soldiers don't understand or mingle with the Afghan people very much, that the killing of Afghan civilians by American soldiers is a big problem, and that there should be fewer soldiers and more humanitarian projects. In other words, what Ms. Cole says in person is the opposite of what the movie suggests and very close to what many of us in the peace movement are saying.

The movie also glosses over the corruption that is endemic in Afghanistan. At one point in the film, a mild-mannered government official shows up at the restaurant to offer "protection" and Faristhta offers him a whiskey and free meals. The official smiles and is satisfied with this token gift and eventually becomes a close friend of the family. The reality of corruption is much uglier and more sinister, as Ms. Cole herself revealed in the Q and A. Just as she was about to leave the country, the management of the hotel where she was staying demanded $38,000 in extortion and confiscated her passport until she paid up. All she had in the bank was enough money to pay the extortion money required to take her expensive equipment through customs out of Afghanistan--another $40,000. It is only through the miraculous intervention of a rich Afghan "angel" who offered her $58,000 in cash that Ms. Cole was able to leave the country with her film.

Nowhere in the film is it suggested that this kind of corruption might lead Afghans to turn against the Karzai/American government and join the insurgents.

Finally, the Taliban are presented as the embodiment of evil. Treacherous, cowardly, greedy, and fanatical, they are without a single redeeming trait or quality. No effort is made to explain why some Afghans have become such vile creatures. At the risk of spoiling the ending of the film, let me say that the film perpetuates what theologian Walter Wink calls "the myth of redemptive violence."

This Good vs. Evil scenario is one that may play well in America since it reinforces our cowboy mentality, but it doesn't help us to understand why some Afghans become Taliban, or why the Afghans want us to leave their country. Recent polls show the a majority of Afghans want US forces to leave, 85% feel the Afghan police are corrupt and untrustworthy, and most think badly of the Taliban. In other words, Afghans don't have good options. But a vast majority agree that the fighting needs to stop and there needs to a negotiated settlement that includes the Taliban. Polls are not infallible, of course, and public opinion constantly shifts, but it is worth noting what the latest polls suggest that Afghans are tired of war and want a settlement:

While human rights organizations and women’s advocacy groups mount a spirited
campaign against any accommodation with the Taliban, 73 percent of those [Afghans] polled said it was time to negotiate with the insurgents. While the Taliban do not enjoy much popularity in the country — only 9 percent said they would prefer them to the current government — it seems that the appetite for conflict has waned among Afghans, who mainly just want to get on with their lives. http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/afghanistan/101208/afghanistan-war-us-troops-counterinsurgency-public-opinion

"Black Tulips" is a well-intentioned effort to promote the views shared by many in the human rights and women's advocacy movement, namely, that there is no way to reach an accord with the Taliban and therefore we need to fight them to the bitter end. This attitude is understandable, given the horrendous behavior of the Taliban, but such intransigence will probably not help bring peace and stability to Afghanistan.

Peace generally comes about when all parties--including those that feel the need to resort to violence and terrorism--see an advantage to coming together and working out a compromise solution. Bringing about a negotiated settlement will not be easy, but the alternative is never-ending war, as the British and Russian empire learned when it attempted to "tame" Afghanistan.

And as many Afghan women have learned, war is never good for women, children, and other living creatures.

Honoring Dr. King in diverse ways

This has been a very special MLK weekend. On Saturday, I took part in a Martin Luther King conference called "Building the Beloved Community" sponsored by the University of Laverne, Christ the Redeemer Church, and the the Parliament of the World's Religions. This event featured Dr. Mark Waldman, a neuroscientist who has written extensively about religion, based on the latest scientific research. His most recent book "How God Changes Your Brain" shows how religious practices like prayer and affirmation alter your brain functioning in positive ways. He led us in a series of exercises to teach "Compassionate Communication." I led a workshop on Compassionate Listening with my Sufi friend Noor Malika. This is the kind of practical skill building we need to cultivate in order to bring peace into our daily lives as well as into our peace activism.

On Sunday I took part in a joyful and uplifting celebration sponsored by the South Coast Interfaith Council in Long Beach. We heard a thoughtful keynote address by the Honorable Deborah Sanchez, a judge who is also a leader of the Chumash Indians. The highpoint of this celebration was the amazing music--gospel sung with gusto by both whites and blacks that rocked our bodies and fed the soul.

My weekend culminated in the MLK parade in S. Central LA. Marching with the peace community was a special blessing. It was also uplifting to see my dear Quaker friend Donna Buell bring her grandkids to this parade so they would learn to be Quaker peace activists at an early age.

I am glad I had the chance to honor his commitment to peace by handing out ICUJP flyers about the Cost of War (see http://icujp.org/). And I'm pleased to report that this message was well received by the crowds who come to honor Dr. King.

There are so many diverse ways to honor Dr. King! It also occurred to me that MLK Day is the only national holiday that has not been drained of meaning due to commercialization. George Washington birthday has become simply an excuse to go on a shopping spree, like Lincoln's birthday. Labor Day has become a time to relax with one's family, not think about the important contribution of organized labor to American life. The 4th of July is about fireworks and barbecue, not about reflecting on the birth of our nation and what it means. Thanksgiving has become a sentimental holiday, a mindless affront to Native Americans, that whitewashes what really happened between Indians and white colonialists.

Only MLK Day challenges us to think and reflect on important issues, like racism, economic justice, peace, and our spiritual lives. Thank God that Dr. King's spirit lives on, challenging as well as inspiring us!