Dawn comes exuberantly upon the land

14 February

This morning I woke before dawn and instead of opening my eyes to sunrise, I let my ears take it all in. I have watched and heard a rainstorm move across Lake Nydia in North Western Ontario, with the light rain, wind, birds calling, and finally a growing crescendo. The dawn this morning could be heard a ways off, and so many birds, insects and animals announced the dawn. I could hear way off in the distance the hum of birds, all, gathering in volume as the sound grew louder, and the individual sounds became distinguishable.

And so dawn comes on quickly and in an increasing volume, with the only people sounds, a call to prayer. Finally people noises, sweeping, trishaws, coconuts breaking, fill the din of Colombo morning active with children off to school, people to work and the normal array of big city noises.

Sunset is very sudden. Between the time the tip of the sun hits the water, until it is disappeared, is only seven minutes. Angie and I stood at Galle Face to watch the sun go down and it is much as in Kenya, close to the Equator and moving from day to night to day very quickly. I am remembering my time in the far north, where I tried to stay awake until the sun had completely set in Alaska. When finally I gave up and went to bed at 3 am, the light was still visible on the horizon.

Buddhist be-ing here with out doing seems to be my experience in this moment. I have read 8 books, purchased and distributed notebooks, pens and school supplies, and other personal supplies, and travelled through-out this country in my time here. Over the month’s time, I have met many people in the middle of a tumultuous time. Over 30,000 people lost their lives in a day, while 62,000 people lost their lives in a war over 20 years. The extent of loss and change to affect families, communities, livelihood, environment, government are experienced in psycho/social, spiritual, economic, educational and political realms.

Today’s paper describes 18 bodies found 2 kilometres in land from the Southern location where a train was derailed at Hikkaduwa. And so recovery, reconstruction and healing are happening while the traumatic events continue. As much as there is a profound sense of good will and support, a rush to build temporary housing, relocate communities, and address trauma, needs to take a deep breathe, and listen to people as they say what they need.

AHIMSA has been invited in to work in the South with psycho/social community needs and we will look forward to supporting this community’s resilient capacity to move ahead and create its own future.