What a great example of compassion. A lovely post Mary!

It reminds me of something I read by the Dali Lama only yesterday. “it is the actions of human beings rather than the human beings themselves that make them my enemy. Given a change of behaviour, that same person could easily become a good friend.”

Merry Christmas Mary.

Great post Mary, stories such as this when told continue to give all of us a base by which to operate.

Namaste,

Kris

Lovely post. Forgiveness heals us as well as the world. (the picture is lovely too!)

Thanks Mary, wouldn’t it be great if we heard news like this on the radio and tv every day.

I was stunned to hear on Christmas day, a news item about the food that prisoners would be getting that day. The official from Corrections department was assuring listeners that the only difference to each prisoners menu was the addition of a mince tart at lunchtime, and that was still within their $4 (per day??) budget for food.

I feel outraged that the media, on our behalf, feel that they have to investigate to see if prisoners are being treated “too well” on one of our national holidays. This is indicative of how media and some groups continue to push for harsher sentences.

Where is our national compassion?

Mary, thanks for sharing the story of the Biehl’s and their acts of compassion.

National Compassion.

I suppose it starts with individuals making the decision to act with compassion. Then, like the 100 monkeys, when enough of us are living with compassion, the rest of the nation also start to act with compassion.

I have read about nation’s having their own “karma”. I know that how nation’s develop, who immigrates here, how the land was settled, etc, all are part of what makes our culture and has an enormous influence on how we respond to different situations.

I sit zazen and do metta because I believe I can make a difference. If we can’t - then what is the purpose?

What an inspiring post! I am still learning to treat myself in a compassionate way first, and then let it flow out to others.

I do agree that even the smallest actions can inspire others, creating a chain reaction. I covered that concept in detail here:

http://fractalforest.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/magnitude-and-chaos/

Very very inspiring post. thanks a lot.

Mary, thank you for this post. The story is truly inspiring, how people can change their pain into understanding and use it as a force to do good.

Hi Mary,

That’s a very touching story. The power of love and forgiveness is very beautiful. Thanks for your entry.

Peace,

Wade
http://themiddleway.net

Hi Mary,

Congratulations! Out of the amazingly high quality results, your entry has been selected as a winning entry. Please e-mail me your postal details so we can get The Now Watch out to you.

Thanks again for entering, and congratulations.

Peace,

The Three Monks
http://urbanmonk.net (Albert)
http://kentonwhitman.com (Kenton)
http://themiddleway.net (Wade)

Congratulations on winning Mary, great post.

Kris

Great story. I had to quote this in my post Forgive, Not Forget

Akemi

Thank you, Mary, for this inspiring story. The positive effects of what the Biehls had the heart and spirit to introduce into our world surely does not stop in South Africa.
Many blessings,
CG

Congratulations Mary!

Great example of compassion, which needs to be practised all over.

Big thank you to the Biehls, who through their strength & compassion, provide us with hope, and some very important lessons.

Dear Mary

Thank you for your article on the Biehl family and forgiveness. I work for the Amy Biehl Foundation in South Africa and would like to share with you what we do.

The Amy Biehl Foundation is a non-profit organisation whose programmes are designed to develop and empower youth in the townships and contribute to community building efforts as a mechanism to reduce the levels of crime and violence in these areas and to give these children a brighter future. Our mission statement of “weaving a barrier against violence” is achieved by providing educational and cultural activities that offer students healthy alternatives to crime, drugs, sex, idleness and negative influences and unlocks their creative talent with the aim of giving them opportunities to become future leaders, entrepreneurs and well rounded citizens in a global society. Our programmes currently reach over 3,000 children every week, and include:

After School Care , Sport including soccer, hockey, swimming and the first and only Golf Driving Range in a township, Music, Including Violin, Guitar, Recorder, Marimba, Choral Singing, and Brass Band, HIV / AIDS Peer Education, Greening and Environment, Creative Arts, Including Drama and Dance (Kwaito, Modern, Traditional and Ballet), Youth Reading Role Models & Prison Outreach.

These programmes place a focus on the creative side of the children’s brains, and supplement the shortcomings of the educational systems. There are great inadequacies in the impoverished township schools in which we work, creating a dire need for our programmes. During the course of the school day many students are not given the opportunity to tap into the creative side of their brain. Through our programmes we allow children to supplement what they learn during the course of the school day with creative programmes that let them express themselves and think freely in an imaginative environment. Providing these students with meaningful opportunities helps to grow the economy moving forward, as the next generation will be better equipped to deal with the challenges of tomorrow.

The number of children we are able to reach is dependant on the amount of support we get. Funding and support is needed to continue and grow our vast array of programmes so we can continue our vision of providing a brighter future with greater opportunities for children from disadvantaged communities.

Please also visit our website http://www.amybiehl.co.za for more information.

Warm regards
Ilchen

Thank you for this incredible story. I’m sure it will help me.