Just Another Night at Café Illunination
After the talk on Operation Cast Lead Carla Nguyen and I headed over to Café Illumination Where we began processing what we heard We sat outside as it was a balmy night Odd how calm…
Author: Mark J. Chmiel
A Response to Dear Layla Welcome to Palestine
I received this generous message recently from Sarah Nash, who is a sophomore at SLU. Mark, I’m not even sure where to begin this email! I guess I could start with a huge THANK YOU….
Tasha and The Book of Mev
I count it as a blessing to have reconnected with Tasha Morris, who took a Social Justice class with me in spring 2007. Now finishing her Master’s in Nursing, Tasha sent me the following reflection…
When Young People Go to War: Share the Wealth with Chris Wallach
What is it that makes young men and women and boys and girls join the service and go to war? What is their experience like once they get there? Chris Wallach will share what she…
“It’s Not All about Us?”
Why is so much omitted from our most familiar Vietnam war stories? The very size, length, and complexity of the war’s history is a partial explanation, but the harder truth is that we have simply…
Metta Meditation Modified
May you be filled with lovingkindness (even through all this) May you be well (despite the tempestuous circumstances) May you be peaceful and at ease (though this may seem remote) May you be happy (at…
Good To Be with You, Too
Marky-Mark–you are such a spark! in those terra cotta colored cords, and your tie-dyed T, driving your fancy mini cooper, shuffling through the SLAM, counting the number of paintings that contained the color, periwinkle. Was…
Morning Meditation, 7.18.2013
May I be filled with loving-kindness May I be well May I be peaceful and at ease May I be happy May Irum be filled with loving-kindness May Irum be well May Irum be peaceful…
Share the Wealth This Sunday: Dance Numbers, a Love Story and Spicy Food, Oh My!
For our next Share the Wealth on Sunday 21 July, Nebu Kolenchery will share a short reflection on Bollywood films and the role that they play in Indian culture and identity. This will be followed…
Mev’s Ode to Joy
Sitting across from a friend Downtown Gelateria I’d just given her The Book of Mev (Her silent, deep response I’ll never forget) I offered to read her something So I turned the pages and came…