Autumnal Equinox/Mabon

Today is the first day of autumn; night and day are equally long.

It is the time of the autumn equinox, and the harvest is winding down. The fields are nearly empty, because the crops have been plucked and stored for the coming winter. Mabon is the mid-harvest festival, and it is when we take a few moments to honor the changing seasons, and celebrate the second harvest.

On or around September 21, for many Pagan and Wiccan traditions it is a time of giving thanks for the things we have, whether it is abundant crops or other blessings.

Peace Day: Peace Day 21 September

Peace Day: Peace Day 21 September

Each year, 21 September marks Peace Day; a day for wide-scale community action, and a day for UN agencies and aid organizations to safely carry out life-saving work. 

For Peace Day 2012, Peace One Day is calling for and working towards a Global Truce - a day of ceasefire and non-violence observed by all sectors of society globally. To this end POD is engaged in an extensive diplomatic and grassroots communications exercise. POD hopes this will be the largest reduction in global violence in recorded history, both domestically and internationally. Join that community now http://www.peaceoneday.org/en/welcome .

WSSL started this weekend!

It's fall so it must be time to get back into organized sports. Daughter #1 in softball, son in hockey, daughter #2 in soccer.

This fall is our first experience with AYSO West Side Soccer League and it was a great start. Patient, kind coaches and referees; parents on best behavior; kids having a great time. What more can you ask for?!!

Go Pink Panthers!!

Drills

Refueling with a snack

 

For the Benefit of All Beings

Last week I was invited to a screening of the documentary "For the Benefit of All Beings: The Extraordinary Life of His Eminence Garchen Triptrul Rinpoche".

A quote from the promotional materials - “watching this film is the closest experience of Jesus Christ that I have ever had in my life.” - was intriguing enough to ensure my attendance.

I had nominal awareness of Garchen Rinpoche and certain no understanding of this man's life experience. Before I saw the film, I Google the film title to get a better understanding of what I was about to experience. The documentary tells the story of a Tibetan lama who was recognized as a great reincarnation and enthroned at the age of seven. He went through extensive monastic training and was half-way through a traditional three-year retreat when the Communist Chinese Army invaded Tibet. Garchen Rinpoche took up arms against the Chinese, allowing the Dalai Lama to escape. He was subsequently imprisoned and tortured for 20 years during the prime of his life, age 22-42. Its like a Hollywood script, isn't it?

What I learned from watching the film was far more profound and moving. In prison, Rinpoche met his root lama and practiced the Buddhist teachings in secret. Upon his release, he emerged a Realized Being - achieved through mindfulness meditation when the self is seen to be nonexistent, the human being is freed from narcissistic concerns -- the source of suffering. In the following years, Garchen Rinpoche risked his life to help re-establish the Dharma in Tibet. Now, he teaches the path of transformation he relied upon in prison to audiences around the world. 

Even if buddhism is not your religion or a narrative of interest, you cannot help but be awed by Garchen Rinpoche’s story in the face of unthinkable adversity. He is the powerful embodiment of what can happen for any human being who unequivocally commits themselves to living For the Benefit of All Beings.
 
 And this film, directed, produced, filmed and edited by Christina Lundberg, is beyond a documentary. It is a love letter to Garchen Rinpoche's followers, ensuring they and others understand how much benefit his legacy and blessings will bring to the world, long after he has passed away.

See it.

Learn more.... 

http://www.forthebenefitofallbeings.com/

http://www.garchen.net/

The theme song is White Tara Blessings, sung by Mercedes Bahleda.  

The screening was sponsored by Victoria and Michael Imperioli.

9th Annual West Side County Fair - Today on the UWS

Enjoy a little country right here in Manhattan today. Riverside South - on the Hudson River between 59th and 72nd Streets with entrances at 59th, 68th, 72nd Streets - is celebrating the change of seasons with carnival rides and games, music, square dancing, sideshow performers, animal friends, greenmarket and more! 

As with most events on the UWS, there will be "green" education with an environmental corner, including hands-on activities for kids about environmental awareness, green living, and animal care.  

Featured bands are: The Woody Pines,  Oran Etkin'sTimbaloo, Electric Junkyard Gamelan, and Cynthia Sayer.

Post Hurricane Irene Beach Blues

This past week, in the wake of Hurricane Irene, has been a bit frustrating.
No, we didn't sustain any damage, but the beaches we frequent did.  State parks have struggled to get power and water back on, clean up park roadways of fallen tree limbs and mud.  Its hard to complain about the beaches being closed when so many people have been hit badly from Irene, but it was the last week of summer - the last week to hang by the water, soak up the sun and have some fun.  It was frustrating not being able to enjoy the great NYC area beaches.

Jones Beach, Long Island, NY

Thankfully, Jones Beach opened yesterday and we spent a full day enjoying the surf. Jones Beach usually has a strong set of waves that break on the shore but it seemed even stronger this visit.  It was a perfect day - 80F - with beautiful sunshine, and those waves made for great boogie boarding.

The local press came out to cover the re-opening of the beach, just in time for the long weekend. Our child was on camera talking about the benefits of the results of shifting sands left behind from Hurricane Irene - a little lagoon on beach area 4, just perfect for younger children to paddle about it.

Lake Welch, Harriman Park, NY

Lake Welch, Harriman Park, NY

More good news. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced last night that another family beach favorite - Lake Welch Beach in Harriman Park - will be open for the long weekend. Weather holding, that'll be Sunday or Monday's family trip.

Yeah!

Free Admission to NYC Museums This Weekend

I've posted about this program before so this is just a reminder that the first weekend of the month is coming up - time to participate in Bank of America's Museums on Us^®.  In New York City, Bank of America card holders will have access to 8 venues FREE! 

The participating museums are:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Bronx Zoo

New York Aquarium

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

El Musio del Barrio

International Center of Photography

Museum of New York City

New York Hall of Science

Holiday scheduled will be in effect this weekend. Please check individual museum websites before planning your visit.

International Center of Photography

NY Hall of Science

Bronx Zoo

El Musio del Bario