DECEMBER 29, 2023 HOLIDAYS Happy Holy Daze I am the first born child of deeply religious parents. My father was a convert from sin to salvation. God was a better high than alcohol. I’m sure he once woke up with a hangover on January 1 as the holidays ended in a “holy daze.” He learned from my mother that Jesus was our friend of unconditional love. The belief in unconditional love led to marriage in the context of World War II. I was conceived a month after Pearl Harbor and was born the following October. The Battle of Stalingrad was raging and the American people were praying for a Red Army victory over the German Nazi “blitzkrieg.” It was the bloodiest battle in human history and the beginning of the end of Hitler’s Third Reich. The Canadian Broadcasting Company had a Big Battles series and was given access to both German and Russian archives to present an epic experience of “The Battle of Stalingrad.” Absolutely unforgettable! Our family celebrated Christmas with a deep belief that the birth of the Prince of Peace was a holy breakthrough. If we would follow the example of Jesus, we would experience peace and share it with the world. Our KEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 tradition came from the revolutionary expression of the Reformation, called pietistic Anababtists; The Brethren, Mennonite and Amish churches come from this heritage. We are committed to a simple life of service. The military is not considered service and we are encouraged to do ‘alternative service.’ In my case, I was assigned to a German industrial mission boy’s home. Gossner Mission in West Germany was founded by Horst Symanowski, a veteran of the German resistance to fascism. It was so interesting that I extended my service for six months to participate in a seminar about the mission of the church under 1960s capitalism. We went to a socialist country, in our case Poland, and worked in the German peace movement to settle World War II and agreement to the boundary between the two countries. We also organized against German troops in Vietnam. Fascism is a belief in supremacism. There is a new book “Wealth Supremacy” by Marjorie Kelly which explains our current supremacism. Can you imagine my inner turmoil as I experience the commodification of Christmas and the simultaneous march of the war machine becoming the main context of our lives? The next war begins before the last one ends. Millions can aspire for peace in the face of our habitual addiction to self-destruction. We have not yet reached critical mass for peace. More love is the answer. As Thich Nhat Hanh taught, “Meditate on your worst enemy until you see yourself in them!” The illusion of a permanent separate self will dissolve into a more complete reality, the all good expanse of primordial purity; all holy beings are at ease here. This may sound impossible until you begin to experience that reality has no borders. Look for the best teachers who embody this truth and can point the way. When the student is ready the teacher will appear. A natural breath will open the door. Continue as long as necessary. You will come out of the holy daze and become pure holiness. This is my faith assumption. I choose this over the prevailing cynicism and nihilism, two words which mean “nothing matters.” The study of actions and their results is the way to knowledge and wisdom. When holidays become a holy daze we can come out of the trance by remembering our ancestors and all our relations. Find your center in this community! CONTENT correction Jenny Sehenuk died in a motorcycle accident, Oct. 1, 2010. Groundcover writer Jane Reilly regrets the error in the December 15, 2023 issue of Groundcover News. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 PUZZLE SOLUTIONS
12 Publizr Home