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This month all our subscribers can win one of the following prizes from The Journey:
first prize: one free space attending 'The Journey Intensive' weekend workshop worth HK$3500;
second prize: 2 free tickets to 'A Journey to Freedom' - an evening event with Brandon Bays worth HK$700;
third prize: The Journey book by Brandon Bays - the story of her remarkable recovery from a tumour and the opening to Freedom that resulted.
Have a look at this great site which has lots of information about our air pollution, and the why's, what if's and other questions like, 'Does all the pollution come from China? What can we do about it? How do we rate compared to Beijing, local cities and also London?'
Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. is the Founder and Director of Milton H. Erickson Foundation.
“Dr. Jeffrey K. Zeig is a master therapist and a master teacher. That is a rare combination. He teaches with a deep enjoyment of what he is doing, a clear sense of contact with the people he works with, and a touch of the poet. For his students, this creates an experience of expansion and pleasure as they learn.” --Salvador Minuchin , MD
Rosa Wong discovers the native aboriginal culture in her hometown of Melbourne and its history and hopes for the future.
I am thrilled to read that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is finally approved and adopted, affirming the equality of indigenous people and their right to maintain their own institutions, cultures, and spiritual traditions. Having lived in Australia most of my life, I am certainly drawn to the predicament that Aboriginals face there today.
Statistics show that infant mortality amongst Aboriginals is three times that of non-indigenous Australians. Life expectancy for men is 60 and 65 for women. The comparative figure for non-Aboriginals is 77 for men and 82 for women. Surely with all the money and power of a modern first world nation we can bring these two figures into greater parity.
All was well until the European world collided with Aboriginal Australia in 1788, introducing the deadly smallpox epidemic which killed more than half of the population, and a loss of land and culture ensued. Nevertheless, there were survivors who kept some of their culture intact in the face of cultural dominance from a Christian white Australia. The 1970s witnessed a resurgence of pride in Aboriginal identity and culture when the first Koori Club was formed where all aspects of social, economic, and cultural life are looked after.
My trip back home to Melbourne this year was an eye-opener for me. Visits to Aboriginal art galleries and cultural centres, and taking heritage walks were highlighted on my agenda. The Koorie Heritage Trust on King Street is a must for those who wish to discover the oldest living culture in the world. You can feel a possum skin cloak, hear Elders tell their tales through interactive screens and learn about native customs and traditions through artifacts and artworks. Don’t leave without supporting the Aboriginal artists by purchasing their authentic and distinctive art and craft work.
To connect with the spirit of the Aboriginals, take a heritage walk at the Royal Botanical Gardens with an Aboriginal guide. You will gain a greater understanding of, and respect for, the rich heritage of the local people while exploring the traditional use of plants for food, medicine, tools and ceremony in 1.5 hours! I had such a strong sense of belonging to the land at the end and I decided to meditate for a while under the tree when the others dissipated for lunch.
Should you happen to visit Geelong, Narana Creations on Torquay Road is not to be missed. Apart from the traditional artifacts, they carry a huge variety of hand-crafted items such as jewelry, plates, and decorative items which are modern adaptations of Aboriginal craft. Try your hand on a boomerang, play a tune with the didgeridoo and meander through a three hectare native garden while learning about bush food and medicinal plants!
There were approximately 25,000 Aboriginal people living in Victoria in 2001, enough to make it a closely-knit self-sufficient community. After the early invasion and massacre by the white immigrants, entailing the loss of land right and culture of their ancestors, Aboriginal people are now receiving greater political power and respect from the government. They are hoping to reconcile their past abuses from the dominant white settlers and thereby receive justice, healing and recognition through open and honest communication. The path to a whole new identity is in progress. Public awareness has increased significantly, and racist attitudes and behavior are less tolerated. Let’s continue to be part of the joined forces in turning the life of Indigenous people around for our next generation.
It is my belief that we are all one, each of us is entitled to love, respect and human dignity. I genuinely wish to see the manifestation of a unified community in a country which happens to be one of the most respected voices on human rights.