Last month, I was really on the fence about going to the cove, but I kept getting little signs. One day, I was flipping through a magazine and stumbled upon an article on the area around Osaka. It struck a chord; I looked into tickets, and booked a flight. I sent emails to Sea Shepherd telling them I was coming and offered to ferry anything they may need. I didn’t know where I was going to stay or how I was going to get to the cove. The email I got back, spelled out everything. With the trip pretty well mapped out, I was able to follow the blogs of other cove guardians and get a sense of what’s coming.
Last night, as I was watching the Oregon Ducks win another game, an old friend called. We hadn’t talked since taking Tai Chi together over 3 years ago. I was telling him about my upcoming trip and he said, “You should see if any of the Buddhist Temples in Seattle are connected to ones in Japan. Maybe you can sit with a monk over there and see if there’s another way to approach this.” Great idea! So last night and this morning I hit Google and sent out a rash of emails to temples here in Seattle. I wish I had started this sooner. I leave Tuesday.
I remembered the article I’d read last month and the beautiful Buddhist Temples in the area. I found the article, the name of a monk and I was back to Google and sent more emails. I finally tracked down someone that could put me in touch with a monk in Japan. More than the contact information, the support that I got from this person was amazing. I still haven’t heard back from the monk, but I’m getting closer and getting fueled for this adventure with every email.
I love how things fall into place with just a little bit of energy.
Hello Mike! I have linked you to my blog at http://holisecleveland.wordpress.com
ReplyDeleteunder Future Guardian. I anticipate your arrival in Taiji. If it is not too much to ask, I would more than appreciate a reciprocal link to my blog. Thank you in advance.
Warmest Regards,
Holise E Cleveland III
“We do not need to reflect too long before we realize that all beings spontaneously look for happiness and try to avoid suffering.” – Dalai Lama
what a beautiful suggestion from your friend about the buddhist monk. i pray your journey is safe...and your heart strong...i pray you make your "monk" connection...and through peace and understanding the fishermen and women of the cove can be reached...this is tough...i look forward to your successful journey and thank you ahead of time. my thanks to all who are involved...to the courage it is taking to do this wonderful thing for the souls of the oceans.....
ReplyDeleteThank you Holise. I love that Dalai Lama quote. I've added you ->
ReplyDeleteThank you Debby. I'm afraid my emails may be going into his spam folder. I have most of the day before my flight leaves Osaka so I'll make a trip to the temples and soak up as much serenity as I can.
...for the souls of the ocean (I'm steeling this)
Mike,
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait for you to get to the Cove! Just the few posts that you have had are great. Good info from your friends. Fate? Or the Dolphins talking from their graves?
Someone once told me that it is not important HOW we get a message, it is only important THAT WE GET THE MESSAGE!!! Best of luck.
I am with you in thoughts and spirit!