12/7/09
Some really cool programs. "Blogistan," a panel of three Muslim bloggers talking about how media = power, and this grants immense power to those who have access to the media. They talk about their success, for example, with the Ft. Hood shootings: these bloggers immediately got out information about the situation, and referred the journalists to whom they should speak.

This morning, I went to a program that had A.T. Ariyaratne speaking. He's hugely famous in Sri Lanka for his grassroots movement, with literally hundreds of thousands of people attending his meditation events (though his main thing isn't meditation). His group has gotten Tamils, Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus all working together to help the villages, and has done a lot to improve living there. But only about 25 people came.

By contrast, the panel on apostasy and homosexuality was packed; had to be a couple hundred people in the room. And it was a great talk. Really incredible people.

I caught a classical music concert that was spectacular. I can't remember her name at the time, Manjiri or something like that, and then there was a flautist, too, who played separately. Really nice.

And my thoughts about religion and spirituality and stuff, there's been a lot of challenging things to consider. And the professors are amazing. Rev. and Christian got into a big debate about racism and the future today. Rev. was saying that he is not hopeful about there being the change that needs to happen in America in his lifetime; so many people say they are well-meaning, but they're just treating the symptoms, and missing the profound racism and fear of black people that continues today. The condition of blacks' lives are getting worse.

Christian is hopeful: he feels like Bonner will be able to effect the change that needs to happen. Rev. doesn't think so, but he is grateful for the little help they're providing.

Mr. Ariyaratne was asked about his criticism of the government. He said the government hadn't been able to do anything to him in his 51 years of work, because "a government is a temporary collection of clever people." They come and go, and they try to win their politics, but they can't do anything to his organization "because we have the higher morality." It was a beautiful thing to hear, even if I am somewhat skeptical of it. (Can EVERYONE in the organization really always be so selfless?) But it's touching that they could be so dedicated to doing what is right, and not getting lost in what is expedient.