(via zenmystic)
(via buddhistdaughter)
Just think of the trees: They LET the birds perch and fly, with NO INTENTION to call them when they come and NO LONGING for their return when they fly away. If people’s hearts can be like the trees, they will not be off the Way.
This man is so inspiring, the essence of true compassion.
ShiBire Desalegn was an Ethiopian activist and a student.
She was the first person to be killed when Meles Zenawi unleashed his forces following a peaceful protest by Addis Ababa University (AAU) students on June 6, 2006. She was shot and killed by troops as she and her friends tried to block the road that leads to a torture camp.
She helped several AAU students escape from torture by helping them jump from the trucks that were taking them to Sendafa. She didn’t have any weapon. But that didn’t stop the EPRDF troops from shooting her to death. A high caliber bullet pierced through her neck.
Because of ShiBire’s actions, some AAU students escaped torture. But because of the action and inaction of others, thousands went through unspeakable brutality in the hands of the EPRDF security forces under the direct orders of Meles Zenawi.
She stood up for the students who only demanded respect for the people’s vote. She paid the ultimate sacrifice trying to save others.
Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.
Eckhart Tolle
It’s on like donkey kong!
(Source: chris-goods, via poteezay)
My goodness what a strong woman
“Gulnaz said, ‘My rapist has destroyed my future,’ ” Ms. Malpas said, recounting their conversation. “ ‘No one will marry me after what he has done to me. So I must marry my rapist for my child’s sake. I don’t want people to call her a bastard and abuse my brothers. My brothers won’t have honor in our society until he marries me.’ ”
But, mindful of her safety, Gulnaz also said that if she were to marry her rapist she would demand that he make one of his sisters marry one of her brothers, Ms. Motley, the lawyer, said.
This practice, known as “baad,” is a tribal way of settling disputes. But in this case it would also be an insurance policy for Gulnaz since her rapist would hesitate to hurt her because his sister would be at the mercy of Gulnaz’s brother.
Both Ms. Malpas and Ms. Motley said that a shelter had been found for Gulnaz and that they hoped she would go there. But whether such a Western option can prevail over Afghan custom — and whether Gulnaz will choose it — is far from clear.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/world/asia/for-afghan-woman-justice-runs-into-the-static-wall-of-custom.html?hp
