Then we headed out to Gadino Vineyards where dance teachers from The Ballroom Studio taught some basic Salsa and we did the Gadino wine tasting. We liked their “Sunset” blended white wine, that had characteristics of a light Gewurztraminer and their Cabernet Sauvignon and bought a few bottles of each. The drive out and back was gorgeous; it had just rained, and the mountains were shrouded in a blue mist.

On our way back from little Washington, Virginia, we stopped at Blue Ridge Seafood for some lobster, snow crab legs, and gator tail. Very informal and very good eats.

Details and update after the fold…

Last week was delightfully quiet at work, so I hooked up an old desktop PC with Windows XP Pro (corporate install image) and have been slowly building it with useful and defensible software. It was also a very short week because we took two days off to compete at Yuletide Ball. A huge thanks to Ann, Dan, and Pranu for nudging us to go to this great event, and a huge thanks to Darryl and Michele for letting us go with their studio: The Ballroom Studio of Centreville. Erci danced a solo (aka: showcase) with Pranu, a Waltz. She also did competitive heats with Darryl and with me. Ann and Dan did fabulously, and we did well on Saturday (American Rhythm) but I woke up Sunday with a muscle knot in my neck and did less well in our American Smooth heats. We had a fabulous time, and I got a surprise benefit of getting to dance with Susan who needed a stand in for David who was sick (sorry David!). Maxim Kozhevnikov & Yulia Zagoryuchenko did a thrilling dance show with an stunning Jive routine. I can’t think of a better way to bring in the new year than being with a bunch of friends dancing and having a great time.

We’d have loved to take our instructors from the Tysons Corner Arthur Murray studio, but they could not attend (pout). This event was our first non-Arthur Murray event and there were a lot of similarities, but also some differences. There was a lot of fantastic dancing, both competitive heats (like a freestyles) and solo routines (like a showcase). There were several studios present, from all over the Eastern seaboard, but also as far away as Pheonix, AZ and Missouri. The studios were mostly unaffiliated, but some were from Arthur Murray franchises in other states. The biggest difference is that we students are free to dance with other students (in both heats and solos) and sometimes students dance with teachers from two or more unrelated studios. I really like that aspect, as we have long wanted to dance competitively or do a showcase with friends at our local Arthur Murray studio but not been permitted to. We’ll continue going to our local studio as we love our teachers there and many, many of the students; but we will also be taking lessons at some other studios more regularly to add some variety.

Today we started the new year right with a fantastic New Year’s day gongyo (chanting) and meeting with Fair Oaks Area Soka Gakkai in Centreville for the first time ever (much closer to home, woo hoo!). We heard a wonderful experience and made strong determinations for the new year. We had a yummy lunch with Richard and Howard at Minerva in Chantilly before coming home to feed Bailey the cat and process the laundry from Yuletide Ball.

Happy New Year! Be safe, warm, and share compassion with all those around you this winter.

Life is a wonderful story and a grand adventure, and for us; marriage is about sharing that story equally and all the time. All of you extremely motivated and altruistic election volunteers should take a small breather and appreciate your loved ones out loud and with complete focus this weekend, at least for a little while. I have been so caught up in the election that I have not spent the time I should have with my beloved, and I plan to change that this weekend, if only for a little while. It has been wonderful having a partner in the revolution; for us sharing our efforts has been a reward, but a short break is needed.

Sunday morning we are going to cheer for a friend who is receiving his own Gohonzon (NOVA Community Center, 11:00) and being formally accepted into our Soka Gakkai community. Then we may jump back into literature drops, get out the vote efforts, phone banking, and staffing to change our government into one that responds to and for people.

Update (6 November): India in all Its Senses was an awesome series of mini-seminars, giving a tiny taste of the rich history and culture of the sub-continent. Corteo was spectacular, and the Madera is a very comfortable hotel to stay at, and has a restaurant/bar called Firely (how cool is that!?!). Sunday morning the community center was packed with SGI-USA members and 4 gohonzons were conferred.

Now, do your last minute research and go vote. Specifically, in Virginia, vote for Jim Webb for U.S. Senate and Vote NO on the first proposed amendentment question (please make us all proud to be in the first state to reject this bigoted and mean-spirited hatred). Depending on your congressional district, please vote for Judy Feder, Andy Hurst, Jim Moran, Shawn O’Donnell, Al Weed, Phil Kellam, Jim Nachman, Rick Boucher, Barbara Jean Pryor, or Andre Peery. If you are in Prince William County vote for Sharon Pandak. If you are in the 50th house of delegate’s district, vote for Jeanette Rishell. Most important of all though, please go vote.

We parked near Washington National Cathedral and walked to the Washington Hebrew Congregation for the start of the walk and to hear some leaders of different faiths speak. We heard short speeches from Rabbi Bruce Lustig, Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, and Right Reverend John Bryson Chane. SGI’s own Bill Aiken was up front with the other leaders, but we did not get to hear him speak. All three speakers talked about respect and compassion for people of all faiths, and Ambassador Akbar Ahmed was particularly motivating with his reference to an early Jewish philosophy to “Go out and heal!” that rings true to the Buddhist concept of heart to heart human revolution. Ambassador Akbar Ahmed is also a recent recipient of the Purpose Award, and has been nominated by Pakistan to be the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. We get spoiled in Soka Gakkai, and have become accustomed to many motivational speakers speaking from the heart, and through out the Unity Walk relatively few of the speakers motivated me genuinely, but Ambassador Akbar Ahmed did. I am certainly no expert on counting crowds, but I’d guess there were between 300 and 400 people at the Hebrew Congregation at start, and more were arriving due to some confusion about the start time. I met some agnostic peace activists, some Jewish people, a Christian who also practices Transcendental Meditation and who was really pleased we were Buddhists, and a Muslim who was enthusiastically greeting many SGI members. We heard news that Howard Zinn might be leading a history workshop on the National Mall on September 20th.

We walked to Washington National Cathedral where we listened to Right Reverend John Bryson Chane and Episcopal Bishop Robert Goodwin. There was also a concert with the re-recorded “We Are Family” Sister Sledge song. We picked up another couple of hundred people arriving late, and banners were distributed amongst the walkers. I think children had a part in the banners because many of them were quite beautiful and playful with a collage of images celebrating peace, hope, cultural diversity, and freedom. At one point I am guessing we had about 600 people in the crowd.

We walked down Massachusetts Avenue past many embassies, past the sight of the future Soka Gakkai International Cultural Center, past the Kahlil Gibran Memorial Garden (at this point the size of the group was apparent because as we walked around the curve of the street around the Naval Observatory, it was easy to see the really long line of walkers), to the Islamic Center of Washington. Refreshments were handed out and there were more interfaith prayers and more speakers, including Imam Kouj, Reverend Clark Lobenstine, Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl, and Reverend Richard Cizik. Again Bill Aiken was up by the podium but we did not hear him speak. Sadly the afternoon sun was backing the courtyard in front of the Islamic Center and we were all hot from walking, and the crowd began to shrink a bit, back to a rough guess of 300 – 400 people again.

From the Islamic Center it is a relatively short walk to the Gandhi Memorial where we heard Keertan musicians As Kindred Spirits and heard short speeches from Suresh Gupta, Arun Gandhi, Envoy Lodi Gyari, Nihad Awad, Imam Yahya Hendi, and Reverend Mpho Tutu. There were more refreshments and the impressive statue of Mohandas K. “Mahatma” Gandhi which is always there for the public to see. While we were at the Gandhi Memorial a prospective member came up to Jeff (who had an SGI t-shirt on) and wanted to talk to us about Buddhism and we gave him some information. We were not actively trying to shakabuku anyone, but were quite willing to when asked.

After the walk was over, we caught a bus back up to the National Cathedral to use the public restrooms and chanced upon a JoyCar, which immediately inspired smiles and laughter even though it was simply parked and unoccupied. This car apparently blows bubbles and is intended to spread happiness. It looks like a cute publicity gimmick for someone’s business, but what a fun gimmick.

RenaRF has a great story about Fear, Real Fear vs. Manufactured Fear in her Thank You to President Bush. Excellent reading, highly recommended. I can’t help recalling the story of a local (to Reston) Buddhist medical doctor who said to his wife as he was dying of cancer: “Fear is not real.” He told her to anchor her heart in peace, love, and culture. That is what he hoped his life was all about, and that is what would keep her happy even without him.

To quote Franklin Delano Roosevelt: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

It is fear that our government is using to try to manipulate elections and laws and even the constitution.

It is fear that the terrorists used on September 11th, 2001. In fact terrorism is the use of fear as a weapon against non-combatants throughout history, both before and after September 11th, 2001. Oklahoma City bombing, Anthrax mailings, shootings and bombings of family planning clinics, any nation possessing nuclear weapons; these are all examples of terrorism and the power of fear. All such power is ultimately fleeting.

The power of love is far greater. One man’s love for humanity has changed the lives of billions, not just once – but several times. Jesus of Nazareth, Siddartha Gautama, T’ien T’ai, and Muḥammad all brought messages of peace and love. Their impact is still felt all over the globe a thousand years and more after their passing.

Do something for love, for culture, and for peace this weekend.

Erci and I plan to participate in the interfaith 9/11 Unity Walk for Peace this Sunday in Washington, DC. Our purpose:

“We walk together as neighbors from many faiths and cultures. We gather in peace to demonstrate our unity, recalling the spirit of togetherness that grew out of 9/11. We commemorate this day because concern for each other’s welfare is the shared hope of us all.”

For the Virginia West chapter the discussion focused on the definition of the mentor and disciple relationship and on speaking from the heart. We talked a lot about how the mentor disciple relationship is disciple initiated, that we each choose our own mentors, and that sometimes our mentors can choose us. We also talked a lot about practicing an engaged and active life, where we take actions on those things closest to our hearts.

In the Potomac chapter there were more experiences given, and they were particularly heart-wrenching and moving. One man talked about his mother’s passing, and another about his fight with alcohol and substance abuse. Potomac men’s discussion focused more on actively establishing great friendships with those around us and staying connected both in faith and in community regardless of faith.

Both meetings were followed by excellent food and fun, and at both there was a reminder that Fall study review is coming, and that the interfaith walk for peace is coming even sooner (SGI-USA is participating).

At least we are scheduled to mostly be indoors between work and dance lessons/practice through most of the expected heat wave, and it is supposed to cool to a still hot and sticky 88 F (95 heat index) by Saturday when we’ll be helping our Soka Gakkai Area Youth Division put on their Festival “Trust through friendhip, peace through trust” at Marshall H.S. from 11:00-1:00.

Definitely a week to hang out in your basement and check on your neighbors periodically to make sure they are surviving the heat. Brutal heat like this can be very hard on the elderly and the poor.