Personal message from Sister Helen Prejean

A message from Sister Helen Prejean to Kerry Lyn Dalton, and her sister.

We are grateful for your love and prayers, Sister Helen!

Sister Helen Prejean's signed copy of her book,
Dead Man Walking

Choose Compassion

ink drawing by Victoria Ann Thorpe, 1979

A Cherokee wisdom teaching:

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life:

"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. 

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

One is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego."

He continued,
"The other is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

 - The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather,
"Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied:

"The one you feed.”

Visiting the Sravasti Abbey Sunday Afternoon

Emily and Jaimie Kenney with Victoria Thorpe, and the Abbess, Venerable Thubten Chodron

A place of peace and compassion, Sravasti Abbey held Sharing the Dharma Day, Aug. 4, and we were blessed by their wisdom and love! The Nuns of Sravasti Abbey offer extensive support to hundreds of prison residents, helping them to find peace where they are and empathy for those around them, ultimately creating a more peaceful world. This includes Death Row residents, one of whom was executed in 2010 (Donald Wackerly).
The Abbey is located on a picturesque hillside in Newport WA, sharing their Dharma with the community through out Eastern WA and the nearby Idaho communities. Their 10 year anniversary is coming up in September. We wish you many, many more wonderful years ahead!
Om Mani Padme Hum.

Excerpt from  NewsOK.com, By Michael Baker, Published: October 13, 2010   "Wackerly will be allowed to recite a mantra of ultimate compassion until he dies, Salem said. The Buddhist spiritual adviser and others in an adjacent observation room will also be allowed to chant."        
 http://newsok.com/wackerly-execution-wont-be-delayed-in-oklahoma/article/3504167

Link to Sravasti Abbey:

http://www.sravastiabbey.org/programs/prisonprogram.html

Planning the upcoming Peace Journey

Planning party for the upcoming walk/drive across Washington State, to draw attention to the issues with the Death Penalty and in support of the statewide campaign to repeal it.Right to left: Jason Balwin, Holly Ballard, Victoria Thorpe, Magdaleno Rose-Avila, Jaimie Kenney
at Bethany United Church of Christ, Beacon Ave, Seattle.

The Peace Journey will begin walking out of Spokane on September 3rd, 2013,  and will visit Walla Walla (WSP house Death Row for WA State) along the 18 1/2 day route across the state, ending in the capital, Olympia.
It is a peaceful walk joining communities across the state in support of a compassionate and understanding society which is safe for all people. The journey ends on September 21st (International Day Of Peace, and the second anniversary of the execution of Troy Davis).

The journey is 18 1/2 days in commemoration of Kerry Lyn Dalton's 18 1/2 years waiting on Death Row for her first level of appeal. A case which is a prime example why we need to end the D.P. : no body, no blood, no weapon, no crime scene - no one even declared deceased during her trial - over 6 years after the alleged murder occurred!

We will walk at least 185 of the 350+ miles, to make the date and have time to speak with communities along the way.

Look for more details at Fellowship Of Peace on face book  facebook.com/fellowshipofpeace