Nawal’s Path
1. When I came out of prison there were two routes I could have taken. I could have become one of those slaves to the ruling institution, thereby acquiring security, property, the state prize, and…
Twin Verses
The Dhammapada chapter 1 Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draw it. Our life…
A Hard Rain: Afghanistan, St. Louis, and How to Make Peace
Join us for a round table discussion with Andrew Wimmer on his article, “A Hard Rain: Afghanistan, St. Louis, and How to Make Peace” (Karen House Round Table, Winter 2011) … Monday 28 February 2011…
Looking Back on Pope Pius XII: 1948
It has been explained to me since That the condemnation was indeed voiced But that it was in the style of the encyclicals Which is not at all clear The condemnation was voiced And it…
Subversives
1. The very definition of democracy is the right to innovation, invention, and imagination. Since nothing in the current social organization is sacred, democracy becomes subversive by nature. Subversion is the driving force of social…
You Know Who You Are
You grace this world And my little world Within this whirl of worlds
Modus Operandi
If you want to build a ship, don’t herd people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea. –Antoine…
After Attending the SOA Watch by Carol Wright
A year ago, many of us were in a course called Writing as a Spiritual Practice. Carol was part of that gang, and she just sent me the following reflection, which I offer for your consideration….
450 Years Apart: From the Beginnings of Western Civilization in the Americas To Several Years Ago
(Or, How to Treat Those Who Are in Your Way, Actually or Potentially) Several of us are beginning to make our way through Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States. A couple of…
Rashid’s Vision
… Rashid was one of the few Arab intellectuals to have first hand knowledge of Israel, of the heartlessness as well as the humanity of the settler people who have colonized Palestine and largely cleared…