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IN the footsteps of peace

IN the footsteps of peace

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Don’t Take Me Away

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on November 20, 2024 Respond

In the Footsteps of Peace – Chris Brennan

Editors Note: Our writer, Chris Brennan, is the front man for one of the Southwest's most popular bands, Reviva. Click here for more info about Chris. The video below for their song, Take Me Away, was recorded in Albuquerque, New Mexico and stars 10 year old author Marisol Paramo. Marisol, an ward winning author for her book, Bella the Caterpillar, is Native American (Navajo) and Colombian American. Find her book, Bella the Caterpillar here.

Hi My Name Is

Hi, I’m Chris! I’m a 38-year-old, white, heterosexual male who grew up in downtown Albuquerque in the infamous Jesse Pinkman’s house from “Breaking Bad”. Yes, I did host a lot of parties in that basement without my mom knowing as she was asleep upstairs. She sold the house for dirt cheap after the pilot wasrecorded by AMC because she was a single mother raising my sister and I on a teacher’s salary. If you don’t believe me, you can look up “The House From” on Netflix. There’s a reason I chose music over politics: My father was a politician.

Peace in Nicaragua

As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served in Nicaragua, I’ve witnessed authoritarians take over a country first-hand. With only 4 TV channels in my tiny apartment and no internet, I could see what was happening with Daniel Ortega and his wife slowly manipulating the country through religious beliefs they didn’tfollow. What started as a voter intimidation turned into you must have a party flag over that of the country flag hanging outside of your house, and if not, you will be threatened. Some of my current neighbors have chosen to hang an upside-down US flag, which to me is a disservice to those who have served in the Military as well as the Peace Corps. One thing that really stood out to me during my service in the community of Pearl Lagoon was how people said “Good Morning” or “Good Evening” to all of their neighbors, regardless of political party or religious beliefs. I chalk this up to the fact that while I was there nobody had smartphones or Wifi. We had to pay to go to an internet café with unreliable service. I often just popped into homes during my daily walk and would be offered food or a cold beer by anyone who had the means to offer. Things have changed since I left, as the government built a road that connects the capital of Managua to the Caribbean Coast.

Now everyone has smartphones. The crime rate is up 1000%. The last time that I visited I was told to not walk down the same streets that I used to as there are criminals waiting in the shadows. I could foresee the outcome of the election over a year ago when my buddies told me that the odds of the president-elect winning were -200. I urged my family and friends to be more desperate in how they approached the situation, yet they told me everything would be fine. Much like what happened to Nicaragua, social media has completely changed how people interact with each other. I said “Good Morning” to three of my neighbors while running my dog this morning, and not
even one responded.

True Blue

New Mexico is one of the few states that “went (or remained) blue”. As I work in healthcare development, we have already had many inquiries from providers who want to work in a place where they can practice their skills without fear of retribution. After all, the United States was founded on separation of Church and State. Make no mistake, the President-elect is not a savior or the second coming of Christ. If one thing 18 years of Catholic School taught me, it is to “Love Thy Neighbor,” regardless of religion, race, or immigration status.

Spilling Tea

The Tea Party which is now the “T” Party pushed the right more right. If progressives are to ever win another election, they need to make the party more progressive, which means universal healthcare and free higher education. It is a tenant of authoritarians to ensure that the population remains uneducated or only is allowed to read certain books and watch certain channels. And when you hear your neighbors saying, “I’ve done my own research”, they haven’t. I know only because I have good friends who I hang out with daily who I know only look at YouTube videos, X, and Truth Social who claim that is research. I don’t blame them, as it is a product of both technology and intentional distraction from investments by wealthy people to privatize and control education. I wish the best to the incoming Administration but have little faith that they will be able to help the economy or prevent WWIII. I hope that I am proven wrong and am going to golf with some of my friends this afternoon who feel victorious about the election.

Deportation en Masse

I will shake their hands and tell them “Good Afternoon”. Mass deportation of Dreamers is immoral. Things will get worse in the country once the new cabinet enters. There will not be a sudden end to the war in Ukraine or help for the Palestinian people on the way, and China is intent upon taking over Taiwan. Our
adversaries will utilize the vulnerability of the incoming president to take advantage. And yes ,I do look at Russia and China as our adversaries, not the people, but the governments. They do not want to see the US succeed and they are licking their chops right now. For those feeling depressed and anxious as I am, I urge you to look within. I don’t believe in either political party .It is okay to not be okay. Climate Change will eventually bring us together as we will have to work alongside our neighbors regardless of race or political party.

Don’t get it twisted. The president-elect will attempt to do everything he said he would, starting with mass deportation and the erosion of democratic principles. I’ve seen authoritarianism happen first-hand. While serving in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua, there were only 4 state-control media outlets. I am fortunate enough to have a wide circle of friends whom I love deeply. I stay in close contact with my friends from high school, Notre Dame, the Peace Corps, and my fellow musicians. During these next extremely difficult years call on your friends and be sure to pick up their calls. Remember to always “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Chris Brennan

Chris Brennan’s monthly blog, In the Footsteps of Peace, discusses peace at all levels and in all forms. He is a graduate of Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies program and served 4 years overseas in the Peace Corps.

Chris is also a singer-songwriter as the Lead Vocalists for the band Reviva and has embarked on a solo career as Irie Kristoff as well. Find out more about Chris and to read previous articles of In the Footsteps of Peace, click here.


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In the Footsteps of Peace: Forgiveness

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on January 17, 2022 Respond

Growing up in the Catholic Church, the word “forgiveness” always fascinated me. Every so often, we would be coerced to attend the Sacrament of Confession, where we would start the visit by admitting to the Priest, “Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was decades ago, and since then I have committed so many “sins.” It baffled my mind that as a teenager I was committing a sin for doing things that teenagers naturally do like desiring to be with girls my age or sneaking a beer after a Saturday night basketball game with my friends. I often wondered why I needed to beg for forgiveness from someone else, when I felt that it was me at the end of the day who needed to forgive myself when I wasn’t at my best. 

As I have come into my own as an adult, I have come to peace with the fact that I am not perfect and never will be. Like many others, I have done things to hurt the people closest to me and for that am very remorseful. This is not to knock on the Catholic Church as I am grateful to have met some very inspirational human beings who live to serve others. But one thing that has come apparent to me over the years is that you really don’t need anyone outside of yourself to learn how to forgive or to have the power to be forgiven. 

Hurt

I am so grateful for my family and friends, but just as I have hurt others, some of the people closest to me have hurt me the most deeply. People who I have loved deeply have taken advantage of me, wished bad for me behind my back, and betrayed me at the times when I needed them most. Others have seemingly lost their way due to the weight of the world, that especially in these times, sometimes seems unbearable and overwhelming. Even further, I believe that there exist people and forces in life who desire to cause havoc, pain, and death to oppress or suppress those who are dissimilar from them. 

My journey towards forgiveness probably started a few years ago, when I passed through some of the most painful times of my adult life and had to learn the hard way to trust my instinct and intuition more than ever before. During that period, I also began to realize that I needed to begin the process by forgiving myself for my own shortcomings and mistakes that I have made as a human being. I deeply regret some of the mistakes I made from as far back as 7 years old, and often find myself feeling guilty for not always doing the right thing. 

Reflection

However, as I have spent more time alone during the pandemic and reflected more upon who I am as a person, I have started to feel significantly less guilty. I now realize that none of us is perfect, and that the things we do that hurt others are often just part of a larger cycle that can be difficult to escape. While I am not 100% at peace with everything that I have done to others or they have done to me, I have begun the journey towards forgiveness. Most of us will never forget why someone did something to hurt us, but the best we can to is to try to understand. And through that understanding, we can begin to have dialogue with ourselves and others as to what we can do better the next time. As the Buddha said, “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who get burned.” 

As we enter the New Year, I encourage each of us to try our best to forgive ourselves and others for the harm they have done to us. It is without a doubt one of the most difficult challenges for us to overcome as a species, yet one of the most important. If we can’t forgive ourselves first, then getting to others will be much more difficult, so at least we know where to start.

Chris Brennan

Chris Brennan’s monthly blog, In the Footsteps of Peace, discusses peace at all levels and in all forms. He is a graduate of Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies program and served 4 years overseas in the Peace Corps.

Chris is also a singer-songwriter as the Lead Vocalists for the band Reviva and has embarked on a solo career as Irie Kristoff as well. Find out more about Chris and to read previous articles of In the Footsteps of Peace, click here.

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In the Footsteps of Peace: Aversion and Attachment

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on February 11, 2021 Respond
Aversion and Attachment by Chris Brennan

When I think about writing about my own journey to inner peace, the first thing that comes to mind is how imperfect it is. Although I have dedicated years to meditation and spiritual education, I still find myself committing errors that many beginners make. It’s interesting how just one lapse of judgment can erase months or years of diligent effort.  I also find it difficult to be concise with my friends and family about the journey in a way that is helpful yet not overwhelming or judgmental. With that said, I have found other people’s journeys along the way to be some of the most helpful teachers for me, and hope that in sharing parts of my own someone can take one or two things away from my successes and mistakes. With that said, I have been thinking a lot in 2021 about two of the most difficult barriers to overcome on the journey to a more peaceful, calm mind: Aversion and Attachment. 
Find out more about Chris and his previous articles here…

If you pick up any basic Buddhist text, it is very likely that you will encounter at least one chapter on these themes. Like many Buddhist concepts, they are opposites. They are also known as two of the main sources of human suffering. As we go through life on a daily, monthly, or yearly basis, we are bombarded by people and experiences to which we feel averse or attached. In other words, we want the positive people or pleasure in our lives to continue, and the painful or hurtful experiences or people to stop. In my own life, I have many attachments to people and experiences, and am averse to others. For example, I am attached to my family, my bandmates, my exercise routine, and my love of sharp cheddar cheese. I am generally averse to metal music, large crowds (especially right now), and tomatoes in any form. I enjoy every sip of a dry light white wine like Pinot Grigio, yet scowl upon seeing someone enjoy a bottle of sweet Chardonnay or Moscato. These are all sensory experiences that make us attached and averse. In the age of social media, we see someone’s profile and say “They’re hot!” or “Definitely not my type” often without getting to know anything about them. 

The reasons that attachment and aversion are barriers to finding inner peace are simple. They prevent us from seeing things as they truly are. We over value things we are attached to, and often dismiss things or people to which we are averse. We say things like, “But she’s a Republican…I would never date her”, or “I have to have sugar in my coffee”. These habits we form mentally provide us with an itemized list of the people, places, and things in our lives that are either good or bad, woke or ignorant, hot or not, fun or boring. The funny thing about all of this is that these people and things in our life are not innately beautiful or ugly, they just are. It is our own minds and experiences who place judgment and value on things outside of ourselves. By judging things and people this way, we cannot see clearly the world as it is. A dog is not a good dog or a bad dog or an ugly or cute dog, they are just a dog. A human is not literally a Democrat or a Republican, they are a human. 

So without getting too much into the woods, I challenge you to take note of the things or people that you are attached or averse to in your life. Explore why you like or dislike them, and where that attachment or aversion comes from. Why does this person or food make you feel warm and happy, while another fills you with disgust? The less attached and averse we are to everything in the outside world, the more clearly we are able to see things as they are, and this allows us to be more free no matter where we are or whom we are with.

Reviva

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In the Footsteps of Peace: Duality and Democracy

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on November 18, 2020 Respond

Like many Americans, I passed the weeks and months leading up to and following the November Presidential Election in a state of high stress and anxiety. Unlike many Americans, I don’t have the luxury of living in a bubble where everyone I interact with agrees with me. I have coworkers who are split 50/50 along political lines and are not afraid to express themselves. I also am lucky enough to sing in a band (Reviva), where the vote is not unanimous as we all come from different backgrounds. God only knows how we have stayed together for 11 years!

When discussing politics with people you are intimately connected to, nothing is off limits. Anything from who is the better looking First Lady to why Republicans love big trucks is fair game. While it can be difficult at times to be so close to people who have a completely different worldview and set of priorities than you, I ultimately believe that it is the most important factor for having a healthy democracy.

Hopes for a Better Day

On Election Day, I opted for a late afternoon golf round with a friend to distract myself from the tension. As we were a pair of 2, we were paired with a third young man walking solo who needed a group. The man wore a Blue Lives Matter hat with a MAGA pin, clearly demonstrating his stance on the day. While it was probably best not to get into a deep political conversation given the stakes at hand, we both agreed that the military helicopters flying overhead to spot protestors were probably unnecessary given that we wouldn’t learn the outcome of the election for a few days. Despite our differences of opinion, we made great conversation over nine holes discussing basketball, golf swings, which player would be favored at The Masters, and more. It turned out that his brother was a legendary basketball player for Kirtland Central, who I knew well as we grew up in the ranks together.

Our match ended amicably, with each of wishing one another good luck and safe travels. Upon finishing, I stopped by my father’s house mask-on, as I do everywhere I go, to have a quick few glasses of wine. What looked might be a Biden run-away victory turned into a nail-biter that signaled my PTSD from the Tuesday night 4 years ago. The two quick glasses of wine turned into 5 that left me with a foggy and uncertain feeling Wednesday morning that closely mirrored the state of the race.

As the week wore on, it became clear to most people around the world who won the election. While I was without a doubt relieved at the outcome, it was also more clear than ever how divided we are as a country.. As I observed a celebration parade on Saturday in Albuquerque, it was hard not to notice as people of both parties waved their flags, often shouted at one another, and found little common ground. I’ve been reflecting on this phenomenon in the U.S. for years now, thinking back to my time as a university student during the Bush-Gore Florida recount. While I was disappointed Bush had won, I didn’t feel personally like it was the end of the world. 

Celebrating the Obama Presidency was a memorable night for me, one I mostly passed in disbelief that we had finally elected a Black President. When Trump won in 2016, however, something felt different. It felt like it was about more than politics. I am 100% percent sure that many Trump supporters feel this way right now about their candidate losing. Regardless of who you voted for, more Americans than ever feel pessimistic about the future of our democracy. It is an experiment which is based upon a very careful balance between personal liberty and the greater common good. As of now, it seems to me that we have tilted too far towards emphasizing individual freedom and perspective without taking into account the overall wellbeing of all members of our nation. 

The Singularity within the Duality

We have become a dualistic nation, where you must choose between one or the other. We are either Red or Blue, Black Lives Matter or Blue Lives Matter, Socialist or Fascist, Christian or Atheist. The labels that the media and we in social media use to describe ourselves as human beings simply does not do justice to how complex we are as individuals.

Most human beings have basic needs in order to be happy: food, water, a home, a job and education, protection from the healthcare system and law enforcement, and family and friends that we can spend time on this Earth with. Other than that, we are shaped by the environment we grow up in. This includes the food we grow and eat, the music and art we like and identify with, the traditions and customs we celebrate, and the morals and values that are taught to us by our families and ancestors.

The thing about duality is that you need one in order to have the other. There is no good without bad, light without dark, small without large, or full without empty. What this means, unfortunately for extremists on either side, is that we need each other in order to exist. 

Friendships

The good news is that I have found my hardcore Trump supporting neighbor to be a generally good guy who is merely frustrated about not having some of his basic needs met after being recently laid off. He doesn’t think that government should play such a big role in our daily lives, yet is still concerned about losing his healthcare at any moment. The other day he stopped by, mask on, to cheers and wish the new Administration the best of luck in dealing with the many challenges that face us. Our dogs played in the dog park together for a bit with pure joy, despite their differences in age and breed.

Later that night I spoke with a good friend living abroad who supported Bernie but didn’t vote. Although she was disappointed that we haven’t made more progress as a country on climate change, she was proud of the fact that somehow, through all of this, we got through an election together without resorting to violence or despair. It was then that I had somewhat of an epiphany….we as human beings all go through the process of living, learning, loving, suffering, losing, and dying. That is something that politics can never change, no matter how divided we become.

Love Thy Neighbor

Maybe it really is much better to love thy neighbor, as they say, than to cancel them for who they are.  Once we are able to safely engage others personally (fingers crossed if we vaccinate), I encourage all of us to reach out to someone from the other side. Play a round of golf, exchange a recipe, have a cordial conversation and listen to one another. After all, we don’t grow by being with those who think alike, but by being challenged by someone who thinks and prays differently than you…we might not just learn something from each other, but also save our democracy. 
Find about more about Chris Brennan and access his previous articles.

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In the Footsteps of Peace: Lost

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on October 23, 2020 Respond

Chris Brennan is a New Mexican Singer Songwriter with the Reggae-Rock group Revíva. He also is the Recruitment & Training Director at First Choice Community Healthcare. Additionally, Chris spent 4 years in the Peace Corp stationed in Nicaragua. Find previous articles in his In the Footsteps of Peace series here.

Northern New Mexico is one of the most beautiful parts of the Land of Enchantment. From the Mora Valley, to Taos and Tres Piedras, to Pecos and Chama, it offers some of the most stunning vistas the Southwest has to offer. Yet like most things that have such innate beauty, there is often a Catch 22 that comes along with this quality. For me, the allure of the wilderness and its splendor has a tendency to disarm me and make me forget just how dangerous it can be. Since I was young, I have loved to backpack, camp, and hike in the mountains like many New Mexicans. Over the years we have definitely had close encounters with bears, wolves, snakes, and all kinds of animals that may put a fright up your back. But nothing compares to the feeling of being utterly and hopelessly lost.

View from the Top

That was the story this past weekend as a trio of us navigated the vast Santa Fe National Forest tucked behind Manuelita Canyon. While I felt comforted knowing that we were with a longtime resident of the area and expert hiker, I grew concerned as she repeatedly let us know that she had previously gotten lost on this specific route. As that part of the forest badly needs to be serviced and cleaned, all of the fallen trees make it very difficult to orient one self. After hearing her say for the fourth time to just stay on the ridge if anything happens, I exclaimed, “Please stop! We’re not going anywhere without you.” As she is nearing her 78th birthday, the reality that she could slip and fall and leave us in a precarious position settled into the back of my mind. Luckily that didn’t happen. We found the top of the route with a beautiful view of the surrounding valleys and canyons. I started thinking about what I was going to make for breakfast upon our return and all the other tasks I would need to do before driving home.  

Sights Unseen

Ten minutes upon our descent, the first signs of something wrong began to creep up. Our pack of 5 dogs had lost the scent of the trail. The rocks we had put up along the way to help guide us back were nowhere in sight. Having gone through similar episodes before in my life, my emergency response went into full effect: Do we have enough water? What about cell phone battery? Who would know where we might be to help us? What are our options moving forward? After going through the checklist and remembering to breathe and stay calm, more philosophical questions start to arise. Why are we on this path right now when we knew it would be dangerous? What would I do differently if we do manage to find our way home? Who and what are the things that I am most grateful for and looking forward to doing again if I get the chance? Have I done enough to leave the world a better place if this is it for me? 

After 4.5 hours of backtracking and using our intuition, we were finally able to find the trail that led back to the car. A wave of pure elation and gratitude overwhelmed us. I was no longer worried what I would eat that day, but rather really excited to hear my parents’ voice over the phone. Getting home late and not being able to complete all my tasks no longer mattered at all. For just a brief time, I was fully present in the moment and experienced a state of true bliss to be alive. 

Cutting off Frivolous Chores

This story is not as harrowing as that of Aron Ralston, who managed to cut off his own arm in order to save himself from a boulder that had crushed him while canyoneering. Nor is it as inspiring as Las Vegas Raiders’ Tight End Darren Waller, who overcame being lost in substance abuse to get sober and become one of the best players in the league. Yet all stories of EED lost seem to end in a similar way. There are only two potential endings when you are lost: You somehow make it out and survive, or you perish. What happens frequently is that by getting lost, we often tend to find ourselves. By going through a difficult time, we reflect on whom and what is important to us and what time has been wasted on frivolous chores or relationships. When you are lost with other people, you learn that you have to trust and depend on another; to use the skills that each has to collectively survive and get back on track. We think about what we would do differently if given a second chance, and how we can use our time more wisely.

You would think that after going through this situation multiple times in my life, that I would have learned my lesson by now. I am always sure to have enough water. I have flashlights and knives and jackets to stay warm. I watch enough Bear Grylls to know which mushrooms are poisonous and which are edible. But the truth is that in getting lost, there is always an opportunity to reset. Getting lost gives you the chance to start anew, to enjoy the basic comforts of life.

Lost and Found

I share this story today because I look back and see a country in the United States that seems a bit lost right now. We are just beginning to see a second wave of a virus that has already been relentlessly detrimental to our physical and economic health as a nation. Once seen as the leader in global environmental action, we are the only developed nation to drop out of the Paris Agreement. We can’t seem to figure out how to support our law enforcement while also holding them accountable to protect all of our citizens equally. We no longer are the country that takes in refugees and supports them on their way to the American Dream. The upcoming election has many Americans both fearful and mistrustful of the voting process as well as the results and potential consequences. According to my group of friends living in Tokyo, Copenhagen, Florence, Melbourne, and Nicaragua, we have become the laughingstock of the international dinner table. We seem to have the lost our identity and pride as a nation. Some might say that we never had a positive identity and that the ugliness of our history and oppression is finally just coming to light. Others say that waving the flag simply means the right to free speech and unlimited arms. I believe, however, that this nation was once a symbol of progress for the human race. We have repeatedly stepped in throughout our history to assist other nations going through difficult times. We have also witnessed many Americans create, invent, write, and will into existence institutions and ideas that have without a doubt contributed to making this world a better place. There’s a reason that John Lennon moved to New York City and Elon Musk and Tesla have their headquarters here in the US. 

Hope in the Face of Uncertainty

Hardships often prepare people for an extra-ordinary destiny.

I don’t believe that one political candidate or party will save us and help us to find ourselves as a country. I also don’t need scientists or politicians to shape my view that the climate and environment are rapidly deteriorating, putting us in a dire situation as a human race. And I cannot pretend that I think we will resolve all of the social, racial, health, and economic challenges facing us as a country within the next ten years. As an optimist, however, I do have hope. Although we are lost right now in the woods of division, fear, and illness, we are starting to question: Where are we and who can help us? Where have we wasted precious time and resources? What would we do differently if we are given a second chance? It is only by losing one self that we can forge a new way ahead. The path will not be easy or straight ahead, but full of frightening and existential challenges. The good news is that we have some great people from all walks of life making changes in our communities. We have a new generation growing up fully knowing the perils of climate change and inequality that have tools at their disposal that no other generation in America had. Most importantly, we have each other. So now that we know we’re lost, we had better start learning to depend on each other to get through this. There are only two options when you’re lost, to survive or to perish. I hope we find a way to the former.

Reviva – Afghani Man

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In the Footsteps of Peace: Meditation Nation

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on September 24, 2020 Respond

The first time I ever meditated was a guided meditation at the Catholic high school I attended with a teacher I really trusted. It took about 20 minutes and my mind was rapidly racing for the first 15 of them, but the last 5 I noticed that my mind was noticeably more calm. It took longer in between for thoughts to arise and disappear, allowing for me to see things somewhat clearer. I believe different traditions have various names for the racing mind, calling it the “Monkey Mind” or the “Lizard Brain”. After all, our minds are meant to think, so they are just performing their natural function. The problem with this is that a mind that races is not able to think clearly. There are just too many thoughts, desires, fears, and anxieties, which prevent us from seeing things as they really are. Instead, we see them for how we think them to be. We jump from memories in the past, to worries about the future, and create a story that tries to make sense of it all. The reality that is all we have and all there really is is the present. The past only exists in our minds and the future hasn’t or may never happen. This doesn’t mean that it is not useful to reflect, learn lessons, and plan. But rather, that doing so with a calm mind can lead to more positive outcomes.

In the Search for Trust and Temerity

Reviva – Free

I say all of this as the 2020 election looms over the U.S., with the consequences higher than ever. No matter which side you plan to vote for, there is no denying that this election feels a lot heavier than some others in the past. As a country, we have gone through so much in so little time this year. What started off as a promising new decade has turned into an ominous sign of what could be to come. We have a raging climate crisis that is displacing and destroying both people and natural resources from Coast to Coast. We face a racial reckoning in which brown and black people are still exploited and brutalized by a justice system that seems almost completely broken. We see both peaceful and violent expressions of frustration with the way things are in the U.S. from both sides, demonstrating that the American public just doesn’t trust our government anymore. And we have to find solutions to these issues all the while dealing with the worst pandemic in a century. 

Anxious Times

There is no sugar coating it, 2020 plain sucks. Many people are feeling more anxious and depressed than ever before. Just look at Dak Prescott, the star Quarterback of America’s Team the Dallas Cowboys. He boldly and gracefully said what a lot of people are thinking right now. The current state of the country and world, as well a losing his brother to suicide, have had him feeling so down that he didn’t even want to think about football for some time. Even Captain America, Chris Evans, almost couldn’t do the movie due to crippling anxiety. As someone who works in healthcare, I can feel and hear the stress of many of my coworkers. As a musician, I feel horrible for all of those in the business who no longer have an income from their livelihood. Not to mention the joy that live music brings to people’s lives.

Premeditated Meditation

Chris Brennan – Reviva

That is why I think that there is no more important time in our history than now for us to really start making time for meditation. To be clear, I am not talking about prayer, which is very different (I can say that after 16 years of Catholic School education). And I am not talking about anything religious either. I am speaking of just sitting, or lying down, with only your mind and maybe some background music, paying attention to your breath. It seems like the easiest thing in the world to do, but in fact may be one of the most challenging. Just ask anyone who is beginning meditation. Like learning the violin, I have never heard anyone say, “It was really easy, I picked it up the first time.” I believe that we need to meditate now more than ever because it allows us to slow down and see with more clarity. When you really see into humanity, we are all suffering. We are suffering from loss, death, illness, tragedy, or financial insecurity. We are suffering from fear, uncertainty, hopelessness, and anxieties. This suffering may be the one thing that binds us universally as a human race. You just really can’t avoid it, whether you are Black or White, Democrat or Republican, Protestor or Police. At some point we will all suffer. 

Peace in a Place of Turmoil

Jarvis Jay Master :: The Buddhist on Death Row

I guess my inspiration to take meditation more seriously now came after I read the book that came out earlier this year titled The Buddhist on Death Row. It captures the true story of a black man, Jarvis Jay Master, who has been wrongly accused of a crime, and has been sitting on death row for decades. Many of those years he spent in the hole in complete isolation. Yet, rather than turn angry and vindictive, he slowly turned to meditation. With the help of mentors, he learned to slow his thoughts, generate compassion, and see more clearly. For decades now, Jarvis had dedicated his life to helping other young inmates develop the technique, turning to peace rather than violence. He even developed close relationships with the guards who he once looked at as an evil representation of the system, simply by having compassion and seeing that just like him, all they wanted to do was be happy with their families. 

Products of Concrete Slabs

Death Row

I am not saying that evil does not exist or that there is no right or wrong, and I am definitely no master of meditation. I do know, however, that it has helped me and countless humans over centuries to achieve a more peaceful mindset. To see the neighbor with the MAGA or Biden sign not as someone who is evil, but simply a product of their environment. If we can develop more compassion for one another, and slow down the narrative in our heads about our constructed identities, we can see that most of us are just humans who want to be happy with our friends and family. And most of us, even the NFL’s elite players, experience some sort of suffering. The only way out of these times, for better or worse, is to work together. The sooner we can learn the notion that each of us is connected and when I hurt you I hurt myself, the quicker we will be able to have a dialogue and move towards a better present. We are going to need to in order to solve these challenges currently presented to us. I firmly believe that the best thing each of us and our families can do is to start with 10 minutes a day of being with your own mind. There has never been a better time and there is definitely no excuse. If Jarvis Jay Master can find peace, compassion, and joy from a concrete slab on Death Row, we can do the same. 

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In the Footsteps of Peace: Peace Through Music

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on August 5, 2020 Respond

My path to finding music is much different than most. I took piano lessons for a few weeks when I was about 6 years old, but was force fed classical pieces with a metronome that failed to capture my interest. From then on, sports captivated my life and took up almost all of my free time. I loved listening to music and went through all the stages of a 90’s kid. My tastes varied from Eminem and ODB, to Alan Jackson and Kenny Chesney, String Cheese Incident and Phish, Green Day and The Offspring, and everything in between.  I grew a deep appreciation for music and lyrics, but didn’t have time to dedicate to the craft. It wasn’t until I turned 18, upon realizing that I didn’t have a future in sports, that I bought a used guitar from Marc’s Guitars on Central and began my journey. I started spending time with an old friend Jerel Garcia and we learned some Pink Floyd, Beatles, and Grateful Dead songs together. Playing together with someone felt similar to sports in that you have to work as a team, share responsibility, and be creative in order to be successful. 

Photo: Amplify Design

While my interest in music was sparked, I knew I had a long ways to go in order to become a performing musician. As I packed my bags the summer after my senior year and headed to South Bend, Indiana, to start a new chapter in my life, my guitar became my best friend and my way to make new friends. The advantage to picking up music relatively late in life was that I soaked up everything I could from the brilliant musicians around me at Notre Dame. From bar chords, to soloing, to keeping rhythm with the drums, I practiced relentlessly while my counterparts seemed to be just going through the motions. I am eternally grateful for each of them who taught me something unique to their own skill set, and that was my first important lesson from music: it brings people from all different backgrounds, religions, races, and skill sets together.

I may have never started playing live in front of an audience, had it not been for my friends signing me up for a gig at a bar in Australia without my notice. They gave me a half pint of Jack Daniel’s and told me to meet them at the Orient Bar, where my guitar was set up on stage unbeknownst to me. I played horribly, but at least got the feel for how to perform.  We eventually started a college rock band King Kake and had a blast playing the parties and events on campus, and I knew that music was something I wanted to do in the future.

First show!

Reviva: Beginnings

After graduating and coming home, I was blessed to reunite with Jerel and his cousin Buddha, forming the core of what eventually would become Reviva. Music has been a part of my life for over a decade now, and I can’t imagine being without it. Music has helped me immensely on my own journey to peace. The best thing I enjoy about songwriting is that it allows me to express my anger over injustices in a positive way. When I became close friends with an Afghani national, I was able to write “Afghani Man” to tell his story of redemption. After reading the book What is the What? by Dave Eggers, I composed the lyrics to the song “Sudan” which is a focus of the book. Hearing about the conditions in the refugee camp Kakuma in Sudan left me feeling depressed and hopeless.

Writing about what I heard and putting it to music was healing for me, showing me another lesson of music: It can be used to heal pain, whether emotional, physical, or social. I have continued to write songs about injustice as a way for my own anger to dissipate, as well as to speak up for those who are impacted by it in our society. Our song “Fiya Way” names the innocent people who have been killed in Albuquerque due to police brutality, from a homeless man camping in the mountains, to an unarmed 19 year old woman running away gunned down in the back. I feel grateful to be able to express my frustrations and anger and not let it consume me by using music as a tool for peace. 

We each have our own favorite artists, genres, and styles, but most people across the world can enjoy some type of music. Some music brings joy or comfort, while other songs help us deal with loss and sadness. Much of it reflects the eyes and reality of the artist and their experience on this earth. Music is a way for us to pass down information from generation to generation, as documented in one of my favorite books The World in Six Songs by Daniel Levitin. Reggae music has become my oasis and rock to depend on. Once I heard Bob Marley and Lucky Dube, there was no going back for me. Each of these legends has told the story of oppression in their respective countries with deep insight and forethought. There is something about the guitar and keys on the upbeat that clears my mind and fills me with happiness like no other genre.

The Times They Are A-Changin’

While the music world has changed and we can not currently sing along with our fans or favorite artists, I have a feeling that music will become more important than ever during this time. Whether listening from home and dancing on a quick break from work or teaching children how to sing and memorize lessons, music is a vehicle that has gotten many through tough times before. I have no doubt that as we musicians work from home and find ways to record ourselves during these chaotic times, some of the best music written in our lifetimes will spring up in the upcoming months. Keep your ears ready, ‘cuz the times they are changin’!.

"Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’" 
Written by Bob Dylan: All Rights Reserved

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In the Footsteps of Peace: Humility through Illness and Injury

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on July 21, 2020 Respond

At some point in our lives, most of us experience some kind of injury or illness that alters our outlook on life. These events often humble us and give us awareness of how grateful we are when we do have our health and livelihood. Whether it’s seeing someone close to us passing away, or feeling that something has been taken away from us, these events often teach us a lesson about changes we need to make either as an individual or community. 

For me, tearing my ACL just before the state tournament in basketball gave me some important life lessons. They often joked about the “Senior Curse” at St. Pius, in which the captains and stars of sports teams had season-ending injuries while trying to capture the crown. I had seen some of my fellow classmates in other sports have devastating injuries and end up in the hospital, but I never thought it could happen to me. Alas, that fateful day in Santa Fe while diving for a loose ball at half court, my knee was taken out and would never be the same. We had a great chance to win State that year, and although I was able to play a few more games with the team, I just was never the same player. Up to that point, basketball had been my whole life. I thought I would go to college and join the team there. I now had to reflect on what was really important, and ask some tough questions: How else could I spend my time outside of school? Will people still like me if I am not on a sports team? Was I training or doing things the wrong way and maybe could have prevented my injury?

I eventually learned to cope with my injury and found new and exciting things to do outside of basketball, like playing guitar and writing songs, volunteering for organizations, and making friends who were different from me in many ways. I guess it was something that I needed to be taught somehow. I needed to learn to be more humble and that things weren’t always going to go my way. As I saw several people close to me pass away from illness that year, I realized that bad things happened to good people, and that there was often no reason or rhyme to it. We can try to control everything around us, but sometimes just one stroke of bad luck or bad timing can change, or end, our lives. I had to learn to let go and to live more in the moment instead of meticulously planning for the future.

As Fragile as Life

I have been reflecting on this frequently lately as I see that continued surge of Covid-19 in our country and across the planet. From Russell Westbrook to Tom Hanks and Nick Cordero, famous athletes and celebrities have not been immune to the virus, despite having great medical care. Politicians like Boris Johnson, who laughed off the virus, have ended up fighting for their lives against it. Young people like the 30 year old man in Texas who died from the virus after attending a Covid party often think the illness is a hoax until it is too late. 

Neva Give Up

We still have a long fight ahead as a country and planet to help contain and survive this pandemic until there is a vaccine or treatment readily available (which is looking more optimistic by the day). In the meantime, I think there are some lessons we can learn from this tragic illness that has taken lives across the globe. First, I have observed how some countries’ people have put aside personal and political differences to come together for a common cause. The results speak for themselves, and I hope this is something the US population can learn from other nations. Second, maybe the way some of us were going about our lives before all of this could use some adjustments. I no longer need to waste gas driving to work when it is not needed. I also don’t miss singing at bars ‘til 2am as I get older, and my liver is definitely grateful for the change as well. I think many of us have changed for the better, and we need to keep these changes up as things return to the new normal. Third, this pandemic has forced us to evaluate who and what are most important in our lives.

Bosque trails lead to Family/Friends

Many of our circles have gotten smaller, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. I may not need to fly to Europe to be with a long-lost friend when I can take a walk in the Bosque with my family and friends who live here.

Finally, just as my injury taught me, there has never been a better time to live in the moment and not worry about the past or future. There are so many things that are outside of our control right now, and things will likely never be the way they were before. But we are at a crossroads in which we can change ourselves and work together to create a more peaceful and just society. If each of us can take a few minutes each day to show gratitude for our lives and those around us, we may emerge out of this illness as a smarter, kinder, and happier humanity. 

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In the Footsteps of Peace: A Peaceful Diet

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on July 7, 2020 Respond

“You are what you eat”. It’s one of the first sayings in English we learn as children growing up. I remember hearing it as I devoured a McDonald’s Happy Meal while playing the Monopoly game as a kid. Fast food probably made up 40 percent of my diet. I loved Wendy’s chicken nuggets with fries and a frosty, cheesy gordita crunches from Taco Bell, a double whopper from Burger King, or popcorn shrimp from Long John Silver’s. Of course when we are young, our bodies are able to metabolize a lot of these savory bites and I didn’t think twice about my hankering for Gushers, Fruit Rollups, Twinkies, Oatmeal Pies, and any other sweet I could get my hands on. 

Self, Society and Environment

That all changed my junior year at Notre Dame, when I enrolled in a course called “Self, Society and Environment”. It was a small class of about 12 of us with a professor in his 80’s whose name I can’t now remember. What I do remember is that I enjoyed how pleasant and peaceful he was and how we all sat in a circle in class rather than in rows. This forced us to interact, and as an introvert definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. At that time I was still enjoying my near daily fast-food runs or gobbling down two dollar wings from BW3’s. Each of us in the course had to pick a topic that we would research for the next four months. I cannot remember what I chose to research for the life of me. 

But most of us in that course will never forget that of our colleague Mary from Oklahoma. Mary’s family was one of the largest producers of beef in the South, and she chose to research how large-scale cattle farming can be sustainable and good for people. By the end of the semester and due to Mary’s project, all but one of in the class had become vegetarian, much to Mary’s family’s dismay. As we learned and dived deeper into how diet affects our bodies as well as the planet, we could no longer ignore what her research proved. Some of the pictures we saw of chickens from Tyson Farms, or cattle exploding with puss and infections, can never be unseen, and changed our lives forever. 

Quarantine Vegetarian

As a male college student in 2007, becoming vegetarian was not easy. Like many others, my male friends mostly made fun of me for my decision calling me a “wuss” or some other NSFW names. I deeply missed pepperoni pizza and Green Chile Cheeseburgers. I had no idea what to cook other than peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. But slowly, I found a diet that worked for me. In quarantine, I start with a fruit and vegetable smoothie at noon, mostly with stuff from my own garden.

I have some awesome vegan tamales from Teresa’s in Cleveland, NM. I try to be done eating by 8pm in order to let my body fast and break down the food. I have found some delicious veggie burgers and grill recipes that leave most of my meat-eating friends forget that there was none on the menu. I completely respect vegans, but as cheese enchiladas are my Saturday treat, I enjoy ordering Monica’s El Portal on a weekly basis. My diet is not perfect as I still eat way to much cheese and occasionally treat myself to a free range egg. I recently enjoyed some trout that my bandmates Rick and Ragon caught while camping. 

Food Heals the Body and Mind

I don’t judge people or look down upon them for their diet choices as we are all on our own paths and our own pace. But I am thankful to Mary and my classmates for setting me on this journey. It was once thought that being Vegetarian or Vegan would make you weak and unhealthy. But as the recent film on Netlflix “Game Changers” reveals, many top athletes in all professional sports have made the change. Our diets have the power to either heal or harm us and the planet, and food truly is medicine for our bodies. I believe that becoming Vegetarian or Vegan should be left up to each individual. But I do think this time has offered us an opportunity to see where our food comes from, and to try to eat more locally and sustainably. ‘Cuz if I am what eat, then I want to be healthy, strong, and happy. Read more about Chris and find his previous articles here!

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In the Footsteps of Peace: Inner Peace During a Pandemic

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on June 23, 2020 Respond

A few months ago, I was busy planning Reviva’s longest tour yet heading out west on a 5 state journey. I was reading the news about an outbreak going on in Wuhan China, and quickly texted the guys that I didn’t think the tour was going to happen.  As March is typically one of our busiest months, I was working a lot and felt burnt out between my day job and organizing all the details of a 2 weeks stint away. While I was disappointed that we would never get to play venues that we had dreamt of playing for years, I realized that as things slowed down, it may provide some opportunities for me to press the “reset” button and spend some time with my inner voice. Like many people, I struggle with anxiety and issues related to PTSD, and have found time during the pandemic to explore ways to manage it the best that I can. While it took some time to find a disciplined routine, I want to share some things that have been quite useful  as we continue to live in the new world of Covid-19.

Equanimity

The first thing that I do every morning is a 10 minute meditation. This is not a religious meditation of any sort, but rather a way to slow my mind down and allow thoughts to flow in and out of my mind without being attached or affected by them. This naturally takes away some of the stress that comes with pressures from work, responsibilities at home, and fears about the future or regrets from the past. My favorite meditation is called Equanimity, and it goes like this: “May you be safe, light, and secure. Free from aversion, attachment, and anxiety. Full of love, joy, compassion, and equanimity.”

Equanimity by Reviva

You are supposed to say the meditation for 4 people every day: Yourself, Someone you love, Someone who is neutral or whom you don’t know, and Someone who you consider to be an enemy. It is hard to send good vibes to someone you really dislike or who has hurt you, but this part of is probably the most important. 

Virtual Yoga

I also have finally found an online Yoga training that has really helped me to be in the moment. It is a series of YouTube videos from the channel “Breathe and Flow”. There is a series of Men’s Yoga Flow that has become my go to as I am finally seeing the mental and physical benefits of doing yoga daily. I now alternate my exercise routine between weights, yoga, and running. Whenever I take more than one day off, I really start to feel more anxiety and thus have learned that physical exercise is key to maintaining mental health. 

Other than those two practices, there are a few other things that are important to do as it looks that the pandemic is not slowing down anytime soon. First, I find time every day to connect with family and friends. Whether through a phone call or virtual visit, we all have a few minutes to tell our loved ones we are thinking about them. Second, I spend time every day outside, especially in my garden.  We recently took a band trip up to northern NM, and just breathing the fresh air and getting away from the pavement was super healing.

Legislating Peace

Finally, I make sure to find time to laugh about something every day. I really like to keep up on the news and know what’s going on. But now is a time for deeper reflection as to how things will look when we get out of this. As I was sitting with my friend in the park during a Juneteenth event this weekend, I couldn’t help but think that we are somehow going to figure out a society that is more equitable for everyone. But even if we pass legislation and vote in the right people, it is up to each of us to continue on our inner journey to peace. No justice no peace is so true. But as Geshe Gyatso said, “Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible.” 
Read more about and articles from Chris Brennan

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