Where I live is high in the mountains, on volcanic rock of Southern Mexico City, in a part of the city called Ajusco. At night, an ocean of glitter and lights stretches out below. In the mornings, when I walk down the mountain, spectacular stretches of city with spectacular clouds of mist-like pollution still surprise me after a month here. Many of the streets I walk on have Mayan names: Timucuy, Izamal, Akil, Tekit, Tulum, Yobain, Tizimin... It is almost the end of the rainy season, so a couple weeks ago, hanging laundry out to dry was a necessary gamble. The rain created formiddable pond sized puddles in some places, and down the steep mountains, mini rushing rivers formed in the curbs. There's lots of green lushness: bright fuschia bougainvilleas, fountain-like cactuses spilling out of themselves, wild pink morning glories...
I'm enjoying the challenge and joy of adapting to new surroundings. I've been walking down the steep hill half an hour to work and an hour back up it to get home. I'm also learning to depend on bus drivers, metros, and various versions of directions from new friends and complete strangers to get to and from various places in Mexico City. Last weekend, I went to the Jardines Botanicos (Botanic Gardens) part of UNAM, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. To return, although I knew the route, I had to ask 5 people for directions, all of whom gave me a different version. Yet by a type of common miracle that happens here in Mexico City, I made it back after a good walk, a metrobus, a regular bus, and another little walk. I smile at bus drivers who blare the style of Mexican music with the overpowering tuba beat, happily bomp bomp bomping along with the bumpy bus. On the backs of some bus drivers' seats, there is an image of Jesus on the cross, above it written, SeNor, Ten Piedad (Lord, Have Mercy). There are moments when while speeding along the carretera, I think, Amen, or Ay ay ay!
Music here is abundant and plenty loud: in buses, streets, supermarkets, outdoor markets, from radios coming in and out of earshot, & often times, live music in and outside of restaurants. It's as if you could salsa dance anywhere. Some days, I can walk to work by following the music, turning down streets where the catchy beat of the cumbia is busting out of someone's window, being pulled toward the music playing from a CD stand in the market, and following the percussive repeating rhythms of a garage band (one of which I am listening to as I write!).
Passing through Ajusco, there is a path (which used to be a railroad) used for walking, biking, and on Saturdays and Sundays, a big market, where vendors sell fruits and vegetables like guayabas, nopales (cactus), mangos, aguacates (avocados) , used clothing, books, shoes, tacoyos & tacos, consommes (soups), fresh fruit juices, pirated cds & movies, perfumes and makeup, sweets, books, and other surprises. The "ciclopista," as its called, used to be a railroad, and stretches a long ways, through a large part of D.F. and beyond to Cuernavaca. Part of the path winds through buildings and homes, and part rises through forests and fields. One day, Mariana and I rented some sketchy bikes (the last ones available to rent - the gears didn't work) and rode up up uffda up about half and hour till we reached a look out point to see much of Mexico City below. From above, it all appears to be frozen. What an illusion! Mexico City is called "Ciudad de Movimiento" (city of movement) for a reason! When I see so much city stretching out, I imagine the diversity of people and lifestyles that fill this city.
The next day was Sunday and so I walked the same route Mariana and I had biked. I made it to the lookout point and walked just a little farther where I saw a mother walking with her son, riding his trike. Buenos Tardes, we greeted each other as I turned around and started back down the hill. Soon, they caught up to me, and we greeted each other again, but this time, we started a conversation. The woman, and her two year old son, were walking from their home the mile or more down the bike path on their only route to the town to go to the Sunday market. She works selling refrescos and water to passersby and bikers. As we walked, her son got off his tricycle, and she and I took turns carrying it down the hill, while her energetic son ran from one side of the path to the other, picking flowers for she and I! Luckily, there was an abundance of flowers, because he had a huge abundance of energy! After about a half an hour, the woman's uncle caught up to us. "You speak English?" he asked me, eager to practice. He shared that he had lived in Los Angeles for many years, and had recently returned back to Ajusco, but that it was very difficult to find work in Ajusco. "Its not easy in Los Angeles, either," he said. We were making pretty slow progress down the hill since every new bunch of flowers was a fresh miracle to behold for the little one with us. Every now and then, bikers would zoom by, and we would all shout and make sure he was moving to the side. I couldn't believe this young woman had to make this long walking journey with her two year old every time she wanted to go into town. The clouds were gathering and pretty soon, it started to rain. Luckily, we had just arrived at the underpass to the bridge, a sign we were getting close to the market and the town. As my new friend and I talked, she shared that the day before had been her birthday, but she hadn't really celebrated. So, after the rain passed and we finally made it to the market, we all went and ate 10 peso Tacoyos in celebration of her birthday.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
ORIENTATION: Reflections on U.S. Culture: One of Many Lenses!
During one of the sessions on accompaniment in cross cultural settings, Sunitha Mortha talked about the importance of reflecting on our own culture when going to live in another culture. I found it very interesting to reflect on some generalizations of U.S. culture. A few years ago, a dear acquaintance asked me, "What is your culture?" and I just didn't know how to respond. The U.S. is so multicultural, that it is hard to define. Even the name, United States, is vague (The Mexican United States, for example, is the full name for Mexico. There are plenty of "united states" in the world, so why don't we have a name to make the United States I am from distinct?). Most U.S. citizens can look back a few generations and know that their great great grandparents never even saw this land that is now called the U.S. Yet, there are some generalizations that describe ways many U.S. citizens are conditioned to understand the world and ways which the U.S., though young, is forming as a culture. Of course, the generalizations do not reflect all U.S. citizen's beliefs, but they do reflect some of the ideologies that are shaping U.S. culture. It is important to consider the ideologies of the "most dominant - in terms of economic power" culture in the world, because unfortunately, so many cultural viewpoints are judged in relationship to the U.S. As I consider these generalizations, I want to stretch myself to experience in different ways, while acknowledging: sometimes appreciating, and sometimes being angered by, the cultural viewpoints that have influenced me (at times without my awareness). I feel trapped when told I cannot escape the confines of my culture, because it has been so ingrained in me that I am swimming in it. I feel that while we are hugely influenced by our culture, our creation and perspective as unique thoughtful human beings often puts us at odds with our culture. In any culture, I think there are ways which our individual selves clash, conform, or converge. The following generalizations are some of the dominant viewpoints of U.S. culture, which those who live in the U.S. reflect and refract. I am going to write several of them out, because I feel that reflecting on these U.S. lenses is important, especially to realize these are just some of the millions of ways to perceive life. Through remembering that, we are liberated to see at least a little bit outside the box of our own culture, and remember "there are so many ways to do life!" 1.)One aspect we talked about is the intense individuality that is part of U.S. culture. Sunitha Mortha described it as "a crushing pressure on the individual," and that often, people who live in the U.S. feel at fault if they cannot make themselves happy, if they are suffering, or experience misfortune. This creates a very big pressure to be "successful."
2.) We talked about the general U.S. attitude toward change: most people who live in the U.S. see change as a positive thing: Change is valued over traditions, while in other cultures, change may be experienced as loss. Our attitude towards age in the U.S. is that aging is not desirable. Since we are steeped in a Protestant work ethic, work and doing are important, and so since older people are not as "productive," age is not valued as much.
3.) People who live in the U.S. often see humans as inherently good, instead of inherently a blend of good and bad traits, or purely bad traits. This means people who live in the U.S. are often more likely to trust others sooner, while in some cultures, it may take longer to build trust.
4.) We also discussed since people who live in the U.S. believe so much in choice, people who live in the U.S. therefore believe people can choose to be good or bad.
5.) Sunitha explained how people who live in the U.S. often see risks as being good because they lead to growth and change. Yet in some cultures, taking risks may be perceived as foolish or destructive.
6.) People who live in the U.S. often perceive time as linear. Yet, Sunitha asked us, what if time is a circle? If time is a circle, then we will always be in time, so there is always more than enough, and what is the hurry?
6.) Sunitha's presentation explained how in the U.S., one has to prove her/himself. Those influenced by U.S. culture believe in earning self esteem instead of being born into it or being given it because of our position, or age. Similarly, those from the U.S. value the concept of equality, yet we also live with this paradox that if someone gets to a higher position, then they earned it.
7.) Sunitha talked a lot about Individualist vs. Collectivist cultures. She shared with us that the Collective is valued over the individual in over 2/3 of the world's cultures. Yet, U.S. culture is very much in contrast to collective ways of seeing and perceiving life.
Sunitha mentioned other generalizations, and there are many other ways that U.S. culture can be defined that we didn't discuss. For me, reflecting on these few generalizations was fascinating as some ways my culture has formed me were articulated. Of course, we are all wider and more complex than our culture too! There are ways which we don't fit into our culture, and this is what makes us so wonderfully indefineable and unique. There are so many cultures that are too rich to be compared to U.S. culture. In our world, where so many places are becoming "americanized," it is important to consider the serious consequences of putting one set of beliefs as superior to another. We so quickly can lose touch with challenge and blessing of diversity. "Do you know what you hold close to your heart?" Sunitha asked us. She reminded us that it is not a choice for the minority culture to adopt or at least learn the majority culture, and sometimes having to reconcile what is close to their heart with another cultural viewpoint. Considering the dominating ways the U.S. behaves in the world economy, what does this say about the majority of the world's population? She emphasized that immigrants or refugees are in a vulnerable place, culturally and otherwise, because they are forced to take on the humbling challenge of adapting. Its important to recognize the different values and beliefs of those from different cultures, and suspend value judgments, allowing others to be who they are. Sunitha ended by saying, "If you take away the very thing that gives meaning to people, you destroy people." We all find meaning and value in different ways, and so we can be humble and open to other ways, too.
2.) We talked about the general U.S. attitude toward change: most people who live in the U.S. see change as a positive thing: Change is valued over traditions, while in other cultures, change may be experienced as loss. Our attitude towards age in the U.S. is that aging is not desirable. Since we are steeped in a Protestant work ethic, work and doing are important, and so since older people are not as "productive," age is not valued as much.
3.) People who live in the U.S. often see humans as inherently good, instead of inherently a blend of good and bad traits, or purely bad traits. This means people who live in the U.S. are often more likely to trust others sooner, while in some cultures, it may take longer to build trust.
4.) We also discussed since people who live in the U.S. believe so much in choice, people who live in the U.S. therefore believe people can choose to be good or bad.
5.) Sunitha explained how people who live in the U.S. often see risks as being good because they lead to growth and change. Yet in some cultures, taking risks may be perceived as foolish or destructive.
6.) People who live in the U.S. often perceive time as linear. Yet, Sunitha asked us, what if time is a circle? If time is a circle, then we will always be in time, so there is always more than enough, and what is the hurry?
6.) Sunitha's presentation explained how in the U.S., one has to prove her/himself. Those influenced by U.S. culture believe in earning self esteem instead of being born into it or being given it because of our position, or age. Similarly, those from the U.S. value the concept of equality, yet we also live with this paradox that if someone gets to a higher position, then they earned it.
7.) Sunitha talked a lot about Individualist vs. Collectivist cultures. She shared with us that the Collective is valued over the individual in over 2/3 of the world's cultures. Yet, U.S. culture is very much in contrast to collective ways of seeing and perceiving life.
Sunitha mentioned other generalizations, and there are many other ways that U.S. culture can be defined that we didn't discuss. For me, reflecting on these few generalizations was fascinating as some ways my culture has formed me were articulated. Of course, we are all wider and more complex than our culture too! There are ways which we don't fit into our culture, and this is what makes us so wonderfully indefineable and unique. There are so many cultures that are too rich to be compared to U.S. culture. In our world, where so many places are becoming "americanized," it is important to consider the serious consequences of putting one set of beliefs as superior to another. We so quickly can lose touch with challenge and blessing of diversity. "Do you know what you hold close to your heart?" Sunitha asked us. She reminded us that it is not a choice for the minority culture to adopt or at least learn the majority culture, and sometimes having to reconcile what is close to their heart with another cultural viewpoint. Considering the dominating ways the U.S. behaves in the world economy, what does this say about the majority of the world's population? She emphasized that immigrants or refugees are in a vulnerable place, culturally and otherwise, because they are forced to take on the humbling challenge of adapting. Its important to recognize the different values and beliefs of those from different cultures, and suspend value judgments, allowing others to be who they are. Sunitha ended by saying, "If you take away the very thing that gives meaning to people, you destroy people." We all find meaning and value in different ways, and so we can be humble and open to other ways, too.
ORIENTATION: Embodying Spirited Life
"When have you felt most alive?" was how Rev. Jim Gonia began morning sessions, the question reminding me of a theatre/dance seminar at Luther. He gave insight on how spiritual practice can help us embody faith. He explained grace as "God's Rootedness and Christ's Expansiveness," (the rooting and expanding parts reminding me of movement imagery I learned at Luther). He reminded us that we have been created in God's image, God as the source of all being. He gave the definition of sin as "missing the point", living out of fear rather than out of gratitude. Having salvation means being free to live as Christ lived, with radical love. It gives us freedom to be in the broken world as it is, and go into those situations which are difficult or that we wish we were different. He described four simple practices which I will share with you, too!
Practices:
1.) Breathing: Jim Gonia talked about how the original Hebrew word for God, Yah Weh, was so sacred that people in old testament times very rarely said it. The word was meant to sound like the breath sounded, each syllable corresponding to the inhales and exhales. The word symbolized this constant connection with God as source. By simply becoming aware of our breath, we connect to the most sacred awareness.
2.) Body Scanning: While lying on our backs on the floor, we paid attention to how our body felt in each part. We noticed where we might feel ease, tension, pleasure, or pain. We let ourselves pay attention to what our bodies were telling us.
3.) Focusing: We found a position of comfort, sitting or standing. Then, we closed our eyes, and let our awareness go to a part of our body that felt in need of attention. We tuned into our breath and let our breath feed that area of ourselves. We then followed our imagination and let our heart create an image based around that feeling/need.
4.) Yoga/Spiritual Stretching: We connected a series of Yoga poses and stretches to quotes and bible verses.
These practices inspired me because they help us connect our spirits and bodies. I am especially inspired by the ways these practices connect with what I learned as a theatre/dance major and what I hope to share through workshops at Espacio Mujeres.
Practices:
1.) Breathing: Jim Gonia talked about how the original Hebrew word for God, Yah Weh, was so sacred that people in old testament times very rarely said it. The word was meant to sound like the breath sounded, each syllable corresponding to the inhales and exhales. The word symbolized this constant connection with God as source. By simply becoming aware of our breath, we connect to the most sacred awareness.
2.) Body Scanning: While lying on our backs on the floor, we paid attention to how our body felt in each part. We noticed where we might feel ease, tension, pleasure, or pain. We let ourselves pay attention to what our bodies were telling us.
3.) Focusing: We found a position of comfort, sitting or standing. Then, we closed our eyes, and let our awareness go to a part of our body that felt in need of attention. We tuned into our breath and let our breath feed that area of ourselves. We then followed our imagination and let our heart create an image based around that feeling/need.
4.) Yoga/Spiritual Stretching: We connected a series of Yoga poses and stretches to quotes and bible verses.
These practices inspired me because they help us connect our spirits and bodies. I am especially inspired by the ways these practices connect with what I learned as a theatre/dance major and what I hope to share through workshops at Espacio Mujeres.
ORIENTATION: Whose side is God on?
Throughout the week of orientation, we talked about how action and language that puts God on "our side" and not on the side of all people is dangerous and destructive. It is especially dangerous and destructive to exclude people who are already marginalized by society. During the session with Hind Makki, I wondered aloud if it would be better to just stop talking about God and start talking about loving each other. Sometimes, the whole notion of God caring about this broken world is just too confusing, too contradictory, too impossible, too unfair, too annoying, too ridiculous. The words "God's will" or even "God's work" confuse me and I wonder how could we possibly know? Hind Makki's insight was that talking about God is and will be part of the way humans make sense of life, because the majority of the world's population has some relation to God or gods. What do we do when we experience the limits of ourselves, and sense the possibility of vast unknown? I have realized that whether one believes in God or not, the way people think and talk about gods or God or no God is important in shaping the way we relate to one another, here, in the knowns and unknowns of daily life. If the God or gods we talk about are/is a God(s) of relationships, then maybe it is easier to think about the will of
God(s). It is about right relationships with others. It means there is something precious, miraculous, and holy in each of us. I have wondered about using the word Love to describe God(s), since when I think about God and Love, I think of the same things: big, relational, powerful, mysterious, diverse, all knowing, joyful, confusing, complex, wonderful, terrifying, beautiful, simple.
God(s). It is about right relationships with others. It means there is something precious, miraculous, and holy in each of us. I have wondered about using the word Love to describe God(s), since when I think about God and Love, I think of the same things: big, relational, powerful, mysterious, diverse, all knowing, joyful, confusing, complex, wonderful, terrifying, beautiful, simple.
ORIENTATION: ReLiGiOuS DiVeRsItY
One of the last presentations of the week of orientation was given by a woman named Hind Makki, who works for the Interfaith Youth Core in Chicago. She said the members of the Interfaith Youth Core believe that when people encounter religious diversity, and hear each others' stories, this does not have to cause a clash of civilizations or war, and that in fact, most of the time, it doesn't. While the media emphasizes wars and religious terrorism, there are countless examples of religiously diverse people listening to each others' stories, and working in diverse ways to move humans toward understanding and love. She emphasized the Civil Rights movement in the U.S., when Jewish (Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel), Muslim (Malcolm X) , and Christian (MLK, Jr.) leaders worked in different ways to promote equal rights. She mentioned the Hindu influence of Ghandi, who MLK, Jr. saw embodied the love ethic of Jesus.
The Interfaith Youth Core works to help youth see and appreciate the ways they can and do work together and communicate across religious differences. She inspired us to ask ourselves, "What are the values of my neighbor?" Through storytelling and listening, we can respect our own identities, and others' identities. In this process, we don't put a label on others. Instead, we listen to how others define themselves. Then, we can be inspired by each other. Maybe we can participate in an unfamiliar faith tradition, or talk with someone who has different beliefs. We can act together out of shared belief in the sacredness of humanity and the rights of all to dignified and joyful lives.
The Interfaith Youth Core works to help youth see and appreciate the ways they can and do work together and communicate across religious differences. She inspired us to ask ourselves, "What are the values of my neighbor?" Through storytelling and listening, we can respect our own identities, and others' identities. In this process, we don't put a label on others. Instead, we listen to how others define themselves. Then, we can be inspired by each other. Maybe we can participate in an unfamiliar faith tradition, or talk with someone who has different beliefs. We can act together out of shared belief in the sacredness of humanity and the rights of all to dignified and joyful lives.
ORIENTATION: AcCoMpAnImEnT
A woman named Sunitha Mortha, who works for Global Missions, gave a great presentation on accompaniment, the main tenet of the Young Adults in Global Mission program. Accompaniment is defined by the ELCA as "walking together in solidarity that practices interdepedence and mutuality." It is about being present with others. It is about letting ourselves receive and offering to share. Knowing that we don't have all the answers, through accompaniment we can be open to the questions. Our culture is just one of "many ways to do life." We can let many different ways of doing life coexist. One of the other YAGM said accompaniment is like its musical definition, another voice that gives support and power to the singer. Someone who accompanies listens first, follows the voice of the singer, and adds music that supports what is happening.
Sunitha's presentation focused mainly on accompaniment in Cross Cultural settings. She began by saying, "Namaste," and explained this means, "When my soul meets your soul, I see God in you." "There are so many ways to do life!" Sunitha said, and "There are so many ways to practice love!" She said, "where we come from affects how we serve." While we meet people with different cultures or experiences, we naturally draw lines and boundaries between one another because we are distinct. Yet, the boundary we have to be careful not to draw is one that says "God is on my side and not yours" because this is always oppressive. God is plenty big to embrace all of our experiences, and to draw us into relationship with each other.
Sunitha described culture as being like a pair of imaginary glasses we wear and can never take off! These glasses can help us see, but they also blur our perspective. We can sometimes forget that everyone has their own glasses and therefore a different and just as valid perspective as our own.
Sunitha's presentation focused mainly on accompaniment in Cross Cultural settings. She began by saying, "Namaste," and explained this means, "When my soul meets your soul, I see God in you." "There are so many ways to do life!" Sunitha said, and "There are so many ways to practice love!" She said, "where we come from affects how we serve." While we meet people with different cultures or experiences, we naturally draw lines and boundaries between one another because we are distinct. Yet, the boundary we have to be careful not to draw is one that says "God is on my side and not yours" because this is always oppressive. God is plenty big to embrace all of our experiences, and to draw us into relationship with each other.
Sunitha described culture as being like a pair of imaginary glasses we wear and can never take off! These glasses can help us see, but they also blur our perspective. We can sometimes forget that everyone has their own glasses and therefore a different and just as valid perspective as our own.
ORIENTATION at LSTC
The week of August 17th-25th began a year-long journey to explore questions of multiculturalism, spirituality, and relationships. I spent the first week of this exploration at Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago with 43 other Young Adults in Global Mission. I learned so much at LSTC that I want to share, reflect on, and carry with me as I spend this year in Mexico. I have been inspired by expansive and inclusive ways to practice community.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
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