Oasis of Peace
NEVE SHALOM/WAHAT-AL-SALAM --I've always wondered what an Oasis of Peace would be like. Would the air be clearer, the clouds brighter, the water purer than elsewhere? Would it have two palm trees and a hammock for every resident? Would eyes never tire of the natural beauty? Can one get closer to the source there?
Such Utopian questions! I laughed at myself -until we arrived. Half of my questions had a "yes" answer.
Neve Shalom is in the hills overlooking the Ayalon valley midway between Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv. It boasts the kind of views I imagined privy only to the highest flying birds. Several in our group compared the landscape that of Tuscany, Italy.
View of valley from Neve Shalom.
It was in this beautiful place I learned that an Oasis of Peace is not so much a destination as an intention - an intention backed by committed conscious action.
Neve Shalom is a binational community of Arabs and Jews who equally govern. Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel says: "When Jews and Arabs get together, work together, live together, they create their own miracle."
Perhaps peace talks would do well at Neve Shalom.
The idea for an ecumenical community that later evolved into Neve Shalom in originated in 1973 1972 by Dominican priest, Father Bruno Hussar - a secular Jew born in Cairo who converted to Catholicism after a mystical experience.
Unique origins. Unique place.
Neve Shalom's spiritual center.
But Neve Shalom urges people not to think of it as Utopia or an island free of conflict. The village is not immune to the difficulties and paradoxes living in the state of Israel presents. The difference is their commitment to equality, understanding and inner peace.
Inner peace?
Amidst the pink of a dusk sky, we were invited to walk Neve Shalom's meditation trail - in silence. Silence is essential to quiet the mind and turn inward to the soul. We were told to feel every step as we walked. I felt a profound transformation in myself and the energy of the group.
Neve Shalom staff member introduces us to the silent meditation walk.
So many of us on this tour are chronicling this journey that cameras and notebooks are like fellow travelers - always present and active. Even as a yoga teacher I felt the challenge to put away my recording devices and just be.
But I did. As I walked I tuned into my breathing and stayed aware of every movement I made. At the end of the walk I was the most centered I had been on the entire trip. All the going gets addicting. We get used to running on adrenaline. It's too much trouble, too much time to stop.
And much of the world functions this way. Or retaliates to the way this kind of living has taken over.
The mediation walk also gave me energy - real energy to replace my underlying exhaustion that I had not thought possible. I felt close to my deepest self.
What other possibilities could be for the world if each one of us would walk in silence for just 20 minutes a day?
Before the silence there was celebration. Residents of Neve Shalom shared in music of the Yuval Ron Ensemble and tour members danced.
But not many residents danced with us. I couldn't figure out why. Was it because we were strangers? Was there a cultural reason? A language barrier?
Tour member Ruth Goodman (right) and a resident of Neve Shalom - the first to share a dance.
I still do not know what kept most of the residents reserved. But I can tell you the exact moment they opened up. One of our tour members who is a Sufi invited everyone to join in a peace dance - a very basic dance everyone could learn instantly.
It worked because Yvonne welcomes everyone as family into her heart. And she's impossible to say no to.
We sang Shalom and Salam, held hands and moved to the melody of Misirlou - a composition of Greek origin that Armenian and Turkish musicians have also put their stamp on.
Shalom/Salam dance of peace taught by tour member Yvonne (not pictured) who is a Sufi.
After the peace dance, Norik Manoukian, the wind player from the Yuval Ron Ensemble, broke into a joyous Armenian tune. Everyone danced like crazy!
And friendships instantly formed.
A resident of Neve Shalom dances with me. When I asked her to show me more moves, she said she was following me! I guess we were following each other.
And it wasn't just the dancers who connected. A Neve Shalom musician got a special opportunity to study the duduk with Norik who is a master. (A duduk is an Armenian flute made from the apricot tree.)
Norik Manoukian (right) from the Yuval Ron Ensemble shows Neve Shalom resident scales on the duduk.
The kids made new friends, too!
One of the tour member's daughters (far right) and kids from Neve Shalom.
When I'm asked about my most memorable experience in Israel, Neve Shalom comes instantly to mind. This always surprises me because so much has been memorable and life changing.
But there's a saying that captures exactly why Neve Shalom is in my heart forever.
People may not remember what you said or what you did but they will always remember how you made them feel.
Neve Shalom made me feel welcomed and hopeful. Most importantly, at Neve Shalom I rediscovered the peace that exists inside of me.
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