At last night’s monthly meeting of the Torrance ADT (Animal Disaster Team), one of our group let us know she’s being deployed to Japan by Kindred Circle – an international animal disaster response team, along with JEARS – Japan Emergency Animal Response Services.  Ginny is an active volunteer and also a brain cancer survivor, so has a special perspective on life.  I would like to commend her here and wish her luck and success.

She could also do with a little extra help on the funds side, so if anyone reading this can spare a buck or two or five, it would be very greatly appreciated.  Please message me directly if you want to help Ginny help out in Japan.

I’d also like to share these heartfelt words, forwarded to me by my Buddhist friend (thank you Al):

Subject: Thich Nhat Hanh: Message to Friends in Japan

Dear friends in Japan,

As we contemplate the great number of people who have died in this
tragedy, we may feel very strongly that we ourselves, in some part or
manner, also have died.

The pain of one part of humankind is the pain of the whole of
humankind. And the human species and the planet Earth are one body.
What happens to one part of the body happens to the whole body.

An event such as this reminds us of the impermanent nature of our
lives. It helps us remember that what’s most important is to love each
other, to be there for each other, and to treasure each moment we
have that we are alive. This is the best that we can do for those who
have died: we can live in such a way that they continue, beautifully, in us.

Here in France and at our practice centers all over the world, our
brothers and sisters will continue to chant for you, sending you the
energy of peace, healing and protection. Our prayers are with you.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh is often referred to as the most beloved Buddhist teacher in the West.