Book Review: Married to Bhutan

Would you like to experience some slow living, trek through the Himalayas or learn about the history and culture of a distant and ancient land, all from the comfort and convenience of your favorite reading spot? “Married to Bhutan” might just be your passport. In the book’s 200 plus pages author Linda Leaming gives vivid descriptions of Bhutan’s remote, unspoiled terrain, detailed accounts of the colorful characters who have shaped its long history and her perspective on the possible benefits to Westerner’s of the nation’s decidedly slower pace of life. And she marries a local artist and they adopt a child.

In “Married to Bhutan” we learn that Leaming first journeyed to Bhutan in 1994, and we then follow her 10-year odyssey through moving to and living there. We are given a glimpse into a very different way of life than our own. Leaming compares and contrasts the cultures and argues the advantages of the less hurried and stressed out one. Her writing gives one ample reason to stop and ponder what our incessant rush is ultimately about as well as our relative contentment. Bhutan is, after all, the nation famous for measuring Gross National Happiness rather than product. While most of us will not make the colossal voyage to the country, which is located between China and India, “Married to Bhutan” certainly opens our eyes, ears and minds to a land rich in tradition, pristine scenery and a unique way of life.

In the interest of full disclosure, Hay House publishing provided me with my copy of this book as I regularly blog for them.

Sun into Taurus 2011: Dream it, Build It

   When the Sun moves into Taurus on April 20th, the grounded, patient energy that astrology's bull is famous for may be in short supply.  At that time, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Uranus will be in high spirits as they continue their lively foray through bold, fiery Aries.  While many like to think of Venus as a gentle, loving energy signifying beauty, art and delicate femininity, it’s a money planet that will enter Aries late on the 20th.  With such an excitable cadre of personal and outer planets in the sign of provocation, the bull’s more tempestuous side is likely to show itself in 2011.  By the end of this solar journey however, Venus, Mercury and Mars will have moved into earthy, fixed Taurus.  Softly aspected there by Neptune and Chiron in healing Pisces, this lineup suggests that the Taurus cycle will ultimately yield the peace, calm and sense of security the bull requires.  

   At this time of the year much is written about the Cardinal sign of Aries, the sign responsible for kicking off the astrological year.  In 2011, that is especially appropriate because at any given time from March 11th through May 11th no fewer than half of the zodiac's planets, 5, will be under its ferocious, instigative influence.  Independent and free-spirited, Aries loves to get us all fired up.  Its motto is "just do it" with an "out with the old and in with the new" added for emphasis.  Did I mention “Now!”? But with tough squares from Pluto in Capricorn and oppositions from Saturn in Libra waiting at every turn, many an Aries impulse will be interrupted or curtailed.  So while the Sun will lead the way into Taurus’s tranquil and abundant pastures on April 20th, it will be well into this Taurus cycle before the other planets stop their squabbling and begin to catch Taurus's easy-going drift. Quirky Uranus and violent Mars are two of the obvious Arian agitators, but Venus in headstrong Aries exerts a force to be reckoned with, or at least one to be recognized and reconciled.

   A living tribute to the saying that it’s always the quiet ones to watch out for, “sweet” Venus represents possessions, resources and income, and she will travel through assertive Aries from April 20th through May 15th.  Also associated with art and exalted forms of beauty, one of Venus's most enduring images is in fact that of Botticelli's voluptuous goddess serenely standing on a shell.  But make no mistake, Venus, the planet, is equally all about luxury, fertility and comfort, a.k.a. money.  Even in Botticelli's loving portrait, the graceful goddess hardly looks famished.  In Aries, Venus will ignite our material desires along with our aggressive tendencies toward attaining wealth and its associated power.  Cautionary tales of the dark side of the lust for gold abound.  They include everything from the deceit, treachery and loss encountered by mythological Jason in his pursuit of the Golden Fleece, to the modern day hubris of Jeffrey Skilling, Jack Abramoff and Bernie Madoff.

    Wielding his trident like an ancient super weapon, Neptune, the enduring god of the Greeks, stands at the ageless sea of consciousness.  Through time itself he warns us of the excesses of such greed.  Corporations, nations and civilizations rise and fall, like the coming and going of the timeless tides over which he prevails.  In 2011 he has taken up residence in his home sign of spiritual Pisces, for a 14-year odyssey.  Pisces promotes integration, assimilation and a holistic approach to life.  In the company of healing asteroid Chiron, one of Neptune's old fraternity buddies, concepts like “capitalism with a conscience” emerge.  In compassionate Pisces, Neptune will work to dissolve the boundaries between "us" and "them" while Chiron devotes its energy to global healing.  So where does that leave our cantankerous, lustful bull this year?

    Taurus's motives are stability, security and physical pleasure.  Those needs can produce the sign's notorious stubbornness and its penchant for hoarding. The antidote of course lies in its opposite sign, destructive and transformative Scorpio, the Pluto-ruled sign that insists on change.  On May 17th the moon will be full in intense, truthful Scorpio. This is an ideal time to reflect on what we value and what we are prepared to release and to birth in order to possess it. The Aries courage, Neptunian insight and bull’s strength and stamina on tap this cycle offer us the power to build it.

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Speaking Words of Wisdom

When British Prime Minister David Cameron said of the latest bombing in Omagh, “Those who carried out this wicked and cowardly crime will never succeed in dragging Northern Ireland back to a dark and bloody past,” he expressed a much greater sentiment. For me his words apply equally to the thugs in Afghanistan who would jeopardize peace and security by brutally murdering UN workers, and to those who are now using this tragic incident to loot and pillage. In my view, his words also speak to the thoughtless act of Quran burning by that deranged preacher in Florida, and to Americans who now post in support of such malicious and divisive actions. Odd that some of their posts lament the burning of American flags. It seems to me that when you hold a symbol sacred, you inherently understand and respect the rights of others to hold their symbols sacred.

I believe that the despicable acts of a relative handful of rogues in Afghanistan do not represent the aspirations of the vast majority of the Afghan people anymore than the unspeakable actions of the U.S. Army soldiers who desecrated the remains of Afghans represent those of most Americans. Both actions are appalling and unacceptable. The misguided acts of the preacher, the disgraceful conduct of United States soldiers, the reprehensible killing of the UN workers and this most recent and unfortunate act of terrorism in Northern Ireland are sadly similar. I hope that as Prime Minister Cameron suggests we do not allow any one of them to drag to us into their mire.

I’ve been traveling to Ireland since 1998 when people on both sides of the border voted for peace via the Good Friday Peace Accord. Along my journey I have ventured to the North and stood on the grounds of the region’s infamous Troubles. It was a very sobering and saddening experience. In 2007, I had the great fortune of making a music video about conflict resolution with young Catholic and Protestant students from Northern Ireland. The bitter and tragic history of NI offers us an unflinching glimpse into the abyss of hatred and retribution. The overall success of the peace process of Northern Ireland is a stunning example of what can be achieved when people want peace, healing and reconciliation.

The news of the loss of this young Catholic police officer’s life, 13 years after the original Omagh bombing and initiation of the peace accord, is devastating and heartbreaking. He was only 25-years-old and had bravely dedicated his life to helping both communities. It strikes me that his courage is very similar to that of the young men in Afghanistan who nobly risk their lives daily by joining their police service. Too many of them are murdered for doing so. On a day like this I feel utterly lost and disheartened. But I remember Northern Ireland’s late Gordon Wilson and I find solace and inspiration in his poignant words. He was the father of a young woman who was killed in the Enniskillen bombing, and this is what he said to a BBC reporter at the time.

“She held my hand tightly, and gripped me as hard as she could. She said, 'Daddy, I love you very much.' Those were her exact words to me, and those were the last words I ever heard her say. But I bear no ill will. I bear no grudge. Dirty sort of talk is not going to bring her back to life. She was a great wee lassie. She loved her profession. She was a pet. She's dead. She's in heaven and we shall meet again. I will pray for these men tonight and every night.”