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Appropo of Ayyappa

ByElizabeth

Reading today’s article in the Washington Post, “Women Fight for Access to Sacred Places in India,” and appropo of my recent blog post on Ayyappa, reminded me of what led me to the law.  I am conscious that relative to most of the billions of women on this planet, I have had extraordinary opportunities.

I think I have a responsibility to live to the fullest the opportunities I’ve been fortunate enough to have. And I think that part of that responsibility is to make my own contribution to eliminating injustice and to keep working with creativity and dedication and passion, while ultimately, like Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita and his right action, letting go of the result, knowing I am not in control of any particular outcome or sequence of events.

What is your story? The opportunities explored?  The barriers that need not have been there?

purna 1c

Shakti Pilgrims, Tamil Nadu, India, 12/11

 

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    1.  Short showers (under three minutes)

    2.  Longer showers or baths only an occasional treat.

    3.  If you have space (I don’t; though I keep thinking about how to work it) get a rain barrel or two for your garden.

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    5. Practice the old drought adage all the time (“if it’s yellow, let it mellow”).

    6.  When it is time to replace a toilet or faucet, use a water efficient model.

    7.  Turn off the water while brushing teeth, shaving, or lathering.

    8.  For container plants in the garden, use “Soil Moist” or a similar product.

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    “Opening to Grace” (and beginner’s mind)

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    Capitol 9-09I took this picture the other day when I was walking to work.  I have seen TV cameras set up at this spot dozens of times to film news interviews.  I have seen tourists galore photographing each other.  I’ve seen a couple of photo shoots of brides and grooms dressed in their wedding clothes.   I’ve seen the fountain full of ducks or gulls.  I’ve seen it empty of water, with rain pelting on it to eliminate any reflection, in a blizzard, iced over, full of algae, as a play spot for dogs who like to swim, in fog, in beating down sun, with cherry blossoms floating on the water, and with waves from a strong wind.  Although (or more likely because) I’ve walked past this view hundreds of times in the 25 years I have lived on Capitol Hill and the 18 I have worked for the Department of Labor, I have never taken out my camera and photographed this incredibly photogenic spot.

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    Kali on the Outskirts of Town

    ByElizabeth

    She was banished to the outskirts of town by the patriarchy, but the outskirts are nicer than the center of town these days (not actually sure whether the latter is true).

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    I just reread Marilyn French’s The Woman’s Room and it has me thinking about Kali.

    Offerings to Kali

    Photo taken in front of the Kali temple just outside of Chidambaram on January 1, 2014.

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