Human Rights Day

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. 

- Article 1, Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on this day in 1948. The UDHR is a vision of a world where respect for human rights is a way of life.

This year's Human Rights Day theme is "Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always." It aims to promote and raise awareness of the two Covenants on Human Rights: the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly 50 years ago, on December 16, 1966. 

Today kicks off a year-long campaign that revolves around the theme of rights and freedoms -- freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear -- which underpin the International Bill of Human Rights. For more, see the website of the UN Human Rights office.

Today I will celebrate what we have accomplished in building equality, freedom, and justice in the world, and consider what remains to be worked on.

1. Investigate:

I want to learn more about current human rights abuses in the U.S. and around the world. Today I will go to the web page for Human Rights Watch and do a little research.

2. Journal:

What issue or need in my community or world is calling me for attention?
What steps might I feel led to take?

Choose the issue I want to take action on.
List what I could do this week or month to put my compassion into action.

3. Speak out:

Tell at least one other person what I have learned and what I am doing to mark Human Rights Day.

4. Go to an event:

Our city Human Rights Commission is hosting an event tonight to celebrate International Human Rights Day, with a focus on homelessness, with speakers, information tables, and musical entertainment. I hoped to attend, but I'm not too mobile yet after my accident so we will see!

Rohatsu

Rohatsu is Japanese for "eighth day of the twelfth month," always on December 8. Today Japanese Buddhists observe the enlightenment of the Buddha. It's also known as Bodhi Day. Here's the short explanation:

After years of searching for answers, Siddhartha Gautauma finally vowed that he would sit under the Bodhi tree until he found the truth. Siddhartha fasted and meditated under the tree for a week, and on the morning of the eighth day he was enlightened by the principles at the heart of Buddhism. After that he was called the Buddha - The Enlightened One.  

In Japanese Zen monasteries, Rohatsu is the last day of a week-long sesshin, an intensive meditation retreat. Participants maintain silent meditation at all times, even while eating and doing chores. And each evening's meditation period gets a little longer, until on this last night they sit up all night. The Rohatsu Retreat gives participants the opportunity to realize their own Buddha nature.

Agenda today:
1. Zazen Meditation:
Most Buddhists don't go through such an intensive week-long process, but might spend part of Bodhi Day meditating, contemplating the Dharma, and chanting sutras. Many also choose to perform acts of kindness. 

I plan to try some zazen using a video to guide me; here are two I've previewed: The first is very basic and the second is longer.

2. Make rice kheer:

After his seven days of fasting and meditation, the Buddha was emaciated and very weak. A girl named Sujata from a nearby town came to offer him a bowl of rice pudding with honey to help him to recover his strength. 

Eating rice kheer is a soothing way to end zazen practice, and making it is a meditation practice of itself. Make yourself a cup of tea, and prepare to stay near the pot to stir, to keep the milk from burning as it reduces.

Ingredients

• 1/3-c. white Basmati rice
• 4-c. whole milk
• 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2-c. honey (or less)

Yield: Serves 4-

1- In a large, heavy pot, bring the rice, milk, cardamom and salt to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to keep milk from burning.

2- Reduce the heat so that the milk is gently simmering and cook for 45 to 50 minutes, stirring often. The rice should be tender and the milk will be reduced by half, giving a porridge-like consistency.

3-  Add honey to taste. Stir and turn off the heat. Serve warm or chilled.

3. Decorate with a string of colored lights:
I found several mentions that Buddhist families with children may string colored lights today to mark the many pathways to enlightenment. I am ready today to bring a little more light to the dark of winter

Second Week of Advent

During this week of Advent my focus is on finding ways to create "peace and unity with all the people of the world":

• I begin by being peaceful within myself and in (better) harmony with people I interact with (especially those who irritate me).
• I challenge myself to work to create the conditions of peace- justice, equality, and freedom- in my family and community. 
• I work to learn about how other people celebrate this season, and practice some of these in order to understand and appreciate traditions and beliefs of people throughout the world, and find a closer connection.

My advent plans have taken a sharp turn... yesterday my bicycle was hit by a van that ran a red light.! I have a broken arm, and ribs, and lots of bruising, but I feel lucky. I am so glad to be alive.

So I get this chance to feel unity with people who are hurt, people who can't use both arms, people who need help. I am so grateful for my friends and family, who are preparing food for me, running errands, and washing my hair. I'm not helpless, but I am in need of care, and so MUCH care is being showered on me! Thank you all.

Agenda:

1. Take some time for myself:
As with all illnesses, I now have a chance to truly rest. But besides rest, I plan to focus on my inner peace, because to be a peacemaker in the world- I've learned- you first need to feel calm, happy, and comfortable within yourself. After being the victim of a crime, it takes a little attention to feel that again.

People are all different, and we each have our own best ways to find inner peace. Some of my favorites are denied me right now - I can't sew or take a bath right now (because I have some stitches):, but I can

• take a short walk in my neighborhood.
• write in my journal.
• read a good book.

2. Sit with a friend:

My friend Peg is dying, which has helped to put my accident in perspective. I hope to spend some time with her later this week. 

3. Celebrate Rohatsu- a Buddhist holy day:

(See the post on Tuesday.)

4. Do some research:

This week I'd like to study the Syrian refugee crisis. The Syrian civil war began as a mostly nonviolent protest movement called the Arab Spring, and has ravaged the country since 2011. This war between Syrian government forces and rebel militias has spilled into other parts of the Middle East, and created a power vacuum that led to the rise of militant groups such as ISIS.

I want to keep informed about their situation, and will read a little in the news each day.

5. Make Syrian Red Lentil Soup:

About 10 per cent of the nation of Syria is made up of Eastern Christians, who celebrate Christmas. Many of them observe a 40 day fast of all dairy products, meat, eggs and fish, as a spiritual preparation before Christmas. I thought about going vegan for a month, or even a week, but when I'm able, I will start with this delicious Syrian soup.

Ingredients:

• 1 c. red lentils
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp. coriander seed
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• cumin oowder
• black pepper
• lemon

Yield: 4 cups-

1- Rinse and sort the lentils, and bring them to a boil with 1 quart of water. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 40 minutes, until they have dissolved into a puree.

2- Meanwhile, grind the garlic, coriander seed and salt in a mortar and pestle into a coarse paste. Fry in the olive oil for about 1 minute, being careful not to burn the garlic. Add to the soup and let simmer a bit longer.

3- Taste and adjust if needed by adding water or salt. Serve in individual cups garnished with a pinch of the cumin and black pepper, and a lemon wedge on the side.

Second Sunday of Advent and St. Nicholas Day

The excitement is growing! Advent is a time of vigilant waiting; I wait for something mysterious and unscheduled, but I wait with quiet excitement, and expectation. If I fall asleep to God I risk missing the moment of joy, courage, or insight, the gift of grace that has the potential to feed me in ways I need.

As a Quaker, I practice expectant waiting each Sunday, sitting with the anticipation that God will be present if I pay attention. When I sit in silence in Meeting I am open and vulnerable; I desire to hear God, and often I am filled with the new Light of Spirit’s presence.

I also wait expectantly for God in the ordinary moments of everyday life (when I remember to). I walk and work with alertness, watching for those qualities of grace, forgiveness, justice, and love that show me where God is present. I encourage those qualities in others and in myself. I wait with attention- awake, aware, and eager for the Spirit’s gift.


This week my theme is unity and peace. I remind myself of the essential aim of the season- peace on earth and goodwill towards all. My life might seem insignificant in the vastness of the universe, but each life is essential to the well being of the whole. I demonstrate my compassion with small acts of kindness and generosity. When I reestablish this intention daily, the opportunities to show goodwill appear with regularity.


Agenda:
1. Journal:
How can I work now to create the conditions of peace in my community and world?
How can I become better at feeling and exhibiting goodwill for all?

2. Advent wreath ceremony: 
Tonight (and every night this week) we will light two advent candles, and recite two prayers:

"We light the first candle for the earth, which sustains us. May we cherish and care for it."

"We light the second candle for all the people of the world. May we find unity and peace."

4. Plan activities: 

Striving to find unity and peace with all the people of the world is a huge goal. Rather then get depressed about it, though, I plan to do a little something positive each day.

Things to do this week to find unity and peace:

• be peaceful within myself;
• be in harmony with people I interact with (especially those who irritate me);
• work to learn about and appreciate traditions and beliefs of people throughout the world;
• study an issue that is relevant to human rights in the world at this time;
• challenge myself to work to create the conditions of peace- justice, equality, and freedom- in my family and community.

Hanukkah

Tonight is the first night of the eight day Jewish holiday known as the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah is observed 3 days before the new moon closest to the winter solstice, at the darkest part of the moon phase and the darkest part of the sun phase. Hanukkah is another winter festival with the theme of light and darkness, of moving from dark despair to a place of light and hope.

Hanukkah commemorates a miracle that occurred in 142 BCE, when a single vial of oil kept the temple lamp burning for eight days. 

I like the more ancient Talmud story that explains that Adam left Paradise just before the time of the Winter Solstice. He noticed the days getting shorter and decided to fast and pray for eight days to try to call back the sun.

Agenda:
1. Prepare:
Buy new candles (44 candles), and clean up my Hanukia (otherwise known as a menorah).

2. Make potato latkes:
It is traditional to eat fried foods on this holiday, because of the significance of the oil in the lamp.

Ingredients:

• 3 large potatoes
• 1 small onion
• 2 eggs
• 2 Tbsp. flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• dash of black pepper
• 1/2 c. oil
• sour cream and applesauce

Yield: About 15 pancakes-

1- Peel the potatoes and the onion, and grate them together into a bowl. 

2- Transfer to a kitchen towel and sqeeze out as much moisture as possible, then put back into the bowl.

3- Beat the eggs and stir them into the potatoes, along with the flour, salt, and black pepper.

4- Heat the oil in a frying pan, and spoon in the batter. Fry the pancakes until crispy on both sides.


5- Drain on paper towels and serve with sour cream and applesauce.

3. Ceremony:

At sunset, I fit one candle into the Hanukia on the far right, plus a shamash (servant) candle in the center. 

Then I recite a blessing. Most of the traditional Hanukkah blessings don't seem appropriate for me, being not even a little bit Jewish, so I use the Blessing of Praise (Shehecheyanu), which is for the first night of anything, or any new experience:

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higianu laz'man hazeh.

Blessed are You, our God, Sovereign of all, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.

For a nice recording of how to pronounce this blessing in Hebrew, look here.

I light the shamash candle and use it to light the first candle of the menorah. We let these two candles burn all the way down tonight.

We continue the candle lighting for eight nights, adding another candle each night, from right to left. The candles are lit from left to right (because you pay honor to the newer thing first).

St. Nicholas Eve

Tonight is the eve of St. Nicholas Day. Nicholas was born in Lycia, which is now part of Turkey. Legend says he was a kind and generous man, who protected the poor and did many great deeds.

In Holland St. Nicholas is called Sinter Klaas (he is the original Santa Claus). Children in Holland leave their shoes by the fireplace on this night, and in the morning they are filled with marzipan and small toys. Also, Sinter Claus often leaves larger gifts tonight or during the next day. 

When my children were younger, we read stories about St. Nicholas, and celebrated with the shoes and gifts because- well, why not?? Any excuse for giving gifts and eating chocolate is a good one! 

Now, my children are grown, and I don't usually have the opportunity to fill their shoes. Today, I look instead for opportunities to fill my heart- with kindness, generosity, and the joy of giving.  All I need to do is wake up, and become aware of the people around me: Every encounter with another person is an opportunity to give a gift of patience, acceptance, and unconditional love. These have no cost, and will bring me closer to grace.

Agenda today:
1. Joy of Giving meditation: 

• Center, and open your heart. 
• Think about all you have to offer- time, love, skills, information and wisdom, patience, smiles, and the things you make with your hands. 
• As you breathe out, picture giving to everyone you meet. As you breathe in, feel the joy of giving fill you in return.

2. Journal:

How can I determine the right gift, the perfect gift, for each person? 
How can I get all the right gifts, and still retain the peace and lightness I want for myself this season?

3. Donate a toy to Toys for Tots:
Any small, secret kindness is a gift from St. Nicholas. Today I bought this cute puppy, and felt again the gentle joy of choosing the perfect gift, and offering it to an anonymous child.

4. Make pfeffernüsse:
In Holland children get pfeffernüsse on St. Nicholas eve, but when I was young we always got them closer to Christmas, from our German neighbor Bill Rueter. Bill brought us a small bowl of these every Christmas when I was a child. 

Pfeffernüsse means “pepper nuts”, and they are supposed to be as hard as nuts! To eat them you need to suck on them until they soften. They improve with age- they get harder- so make them well in advance. 

One full batch- 150 small cookies.

This recipe comes from Bill Rueter's Grandma Ott.

Ingredients:

• 1 c. dark Karo corn syrup
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 1/4 c. vegetable oil
• 1/4 c. milk
• 1/2-Tbsp. anise oil
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. each of cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, and black pepper
• many cups of flour

Yield: 150 small cookies-

1- Preheat the oven to 400ºF. 

2- Mix together all the ingredients, and add flour until the dough is very, very stiff. Grandma Ott said, “When you are sure it’s stiff enough, add some more.”  When you can’t stir any more in, use your hands to kneed it in.

3- Form the dough into logs, and then roll one log into a thin rope. Break the rope into small bits and roll these into balls about 1/2-inch thick. (If they are too large, they will be hard to suck on.)

4- Place the balls close together but not touching on a greased cookie sheet. You should be able to easily fill two pans. 

5- Bake 10-12 minutes- the cookies should be cooked through and lightly browned. If you added enough flour, they will be soft at first, but get hard pretty quickly.


Check out this story about St. Nicholas’ donkey and the pfeffernusse.





5. Make small gifts:
Today is a good day to start to stockpile small gifts to give to neighbors and friends, and to use as stocking stuffers. 

I got inspired to make small houses this year, using some of the great scrap fabrics I've collected.

Supplies: Fabric scraps, felt, iron, scissors, thread and needle, yarn for hanging

1- Cut a house shape from felt for backing.

2- Cut scraps for front of house, windows, doors, and roof.

3- Sew scraps in place (I used a sewing machine this time, but I expect I will sew some by hand as well.)

4- Sew yarn at the top to hang.