Tag Archives: Christchurch earthquake

you know what love is?

Posted on by

0

You know what love is?

It is all kindness, generosity.

~ Rumi

Rumi “Whispers of the Beloved”
Translated by Maryam Mafi and Azima Melita Koln

 

the moment of impact

This deserves to be shared because it’s unlikely you’ll hear what the Kiwi students have been up to in quake-shattered Christchurch: an extract from a heart-warming personal email from a dear friend writing to me in Australia (where this moment finds me) from New Zealand …

Incredible that there are now 700 rescue workers from various countries helping out in Christchurch.  I think on top of that another contingent of police from Oz arrived.  They got a rousing reception at the airport and the generosity is truly amazing.

My mind boggles at the organisation that is coping with where they’re all housed, fed, and rostered.  It’s a real United Nations and thank goodness the powers that be accepted so many offers.

You might have heard that 18,000 uni students have formed an ‘army’ and are out with shovels and spades clearing silt, helping out where they can.

Then the Dunedin students got together and have gotten up to 10,000 lunches organised to keep the students going.
Wonderful heart-warming deeds and it brings the emotion high just watching.

The Mayor… [Bob Parker] what a guy huh?  He’s never short of the right words, nor praise, nor down to earthness, just an absolute gem.  Some of the people interviewed (the professionals from various teams) speak so articulately and calmly despite being interviewed time and time again.  They’re all so patient and accommodating.

This is what love is: kindness, generosity, patience, calmness, and Presence – that wondrous capacity we all possess to remain wholly at-one with the actuality of the present moment.

Dust and death and disaster.  The Beloved assumes all guises and invites every possible response, while remaining unshaken, unshattered and unchanged.  This unknowable changelessness is our only safe haven.

no act of kindness is too small

Posted on by

6

A few months ago I asked my cyber-mates to join me in an embrace of those affected by a mining disaster on the West Coast of New Zealand.  The responses reminded me again of how much generosity of spirit resides in the human heart and how deep our shared humanity runs.

Today I reach out to you again.  The beautiful city of Christchurch – rocked by a massive earthquake just five months ago without casualty – has been hit again.  This time, as you will all know by now from your own local news footage, the damage has been horrific and lives have been lost.

Christchurch is close to my heart; countless happy times have been spent there, including a period of residence in one of those glorious old homes now reduced to rubble.  I am relieved to know my family members are safe, although their houses are uninhabitable.

Please join me again in embracing all those affected by this disaster, including the emergency rescue workers and medicos, everyone.  I thank you, I bow deeply.

.

Right now, we can help by rallying around those who are grieving, supporting those whose livelihoods are in peril.

My message to all Kiwis who want to help is – act on that desire.

No act of kindness is too small.

Right now, you can help by offering support to friends and family who are hurting. Offer them a bed or a roof over their head if that is what they need. Make your donations to help those who have been hit hardest.

As infrastructure recovers, your visits to Christchurch will be welcome.

Above all, throughout this journey, offer those affected your love.

Know that your humanity is more powerful than any act of nature. 

~ From this morning’s speech given by Prime Minister John Keys, who has declared a National State of Emergency.

.

The entire transcript of John Key’s speech can be read here:
http://www.3news.co.nz/Prime-Minister-John-Keys-full-speech/tabid/423/articleID/199462/Default.aspx

.