Udaan 2023

UDAAN UDAAN a Maitri magazine October 2023

flight Soaring, fearless, like a bird in the sky

To a life with freedom and possibilities!

Maitri is a nonprofit organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Maitri is a federally tax-exempt organization as described in IRS Code Section 501(c)3 (tax exempt ID 94-3132087).

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Cover Artist: Silvia Reshmeen Copyright: All original materials are copyrighted and property of Maitri and the authors.

Editors: Zakia Afrin and Jaya Suresh Design by Shilpa Sachdev and Jaya Suresh

2023 Maitri

TABLE OF CONTENTS

page

topic

5

Editor's Note

6

About Maitri

7

Poems

12

Artwork

29

Recipes

37

Reflections

42

Conversations

ABOUT MAITRI It all started in February 1991, when a

Since 1991 Maitri has done transformative

group

work

of

women

pooled

together

empowering

over

thousands

of

resources to set up a confidential phone

survivors and has become the go-to agency

line for South Asian women survivors of

for

domestic violence. That was the humble

trained volunteers, created an exhaustive

beginning for Maitri. The women founders

resource guide and services, partnered with

saw a need & a service gap that existed

South Bay legal organizations and other

for immigrant women from South Asia.

domestic

While there were many organizations that

started as a referral service expanded to

provided legal, medical, financial and

several programs and services to provide

counseling

holistic

services

to

mainstream

the

South

Asian

violence

help

community.

organizations.

though:

Helpline;

Maitri

What

Peer

survivors of DV, there were none that

Counseling; Transitional Housing Program;

women from South Asia facing DV could

Legal

turn

and

Empowerment Program; Individual therapy

language gaps. One of the major gaps

& Supports Groups, Community Outreach

was and still continues to be language

and

access. Maitri was founded to bridge this

Referrals.

to

on

account

of

cultural

Advocacy

Education,

Program;

and

Economic

Emergency

Shelter

gap. The phone that started ringing then, continues to ring at Maitri today.

Maitri firmly believes that the best human relationships are characterized by mutual respect, open communication and individual empowerment and to that end; all our activities are designed to help South Asians make an informed choice.

EDITOR'S NOTE Recently

I

had

the

serendipitous

pleasure

of

reading Tim O Brian’s, “The things they carried” – a nonfiction book about the Vietnam war. I am always reluctant to read war stories as they remind

Most of all, we carried memories, laughter,

me of the obscenity of conflicts, countless deaths

sadness and bits of all our loved ones we never

and

took

meaningless

human

suffering.

This

was

time

to

appreciate.

Perhaps

the

different. In the beginning, the author lists in detail

difference with the war veterans was that most

all the necessary, basic and mundane things the

of us traveled with bright aspirations and

young men carried in their combat gears - in their

dreams rather than the fear of the unknown.

perilous journey through an unknown forest to the opposite side of the world. The narrative made me

As time moves on in a foreign land, some of us

emotional in many places. I found myself wondering

set aside the burdensome load and soak up

about our lives- immigrants from South Asia in the

new experiences and newer memories. Some of

US.

us build our new spaces from the fragments of the pieces brought in and add on new shiny

As immigrants, what do we carry? What do we

things-necessary, basic and mundane. And all

leave behind?

of us continue to look for the opportunity to stop, open up our loads and reminisce.

We too carried heavy baggage when we started on our journeys to this country. We carried our favorite

The second issue of Udaan is that common

clothing, pieces of jewelry, the photographs that

thread that binds the advocates and survivors

could

at Maitri alike - reflections of our past and

not

be

left

behind.

We

carried

our

certificates with the memories of years spent with

renderings

friends and classmates. Some of us carried seeds

immigrants. This is the bond that not only ties

of plants, the cooked and preserved food by mom

us together but lets us be our best selves in

or

artistic expressions.

grandma

who

refused

to

accept

airline

of

our

current

journey

restrictions. We carried our beloved God statues, the prayer beads from the priest, the janamaz

Wishing you a pleasant reading experience.

gifted by the first pilgrim in the neighborhood upon their return from Mecca, the buddha portrait that hung in our living rooms, homemade spices, books, music and several other things, small & big, that reminded us of home.

-- Zakia Afrin

as

POEMS

I dare to dream by a Survivor In shadows cast by cruel despair, Amidst the scars that none should bear, There lies a strength, a glimmering gleam, Within her heart, she dares to dream.

She’s born of grace, a soul refined, Through trials forged, her spirits twined, Though battered, bruised, she’ll not concede, Her dream ablaze, she’ll find her freed.

In darkest nights, when tears stream down, She faces demons with a frown, Through pain, she’ll rise, like phoenix bright, Defying darkness with her might.

A victim once, yet now, she’s more, A survivor, she’ll not ignore, Her worth defined by love, not hate, Her dreams, her wings, they elevate.

She’ll paint the skies with colors bold, No longer caged, no longer controlled, With every step, her heart will soar, Beyond the reach of what was before.

She dreams of peace, where love abounds, Where kindness heals all hurt that pounds, In unity, the world can mend, And scars of violence finally end.

No more confined to shadow’s seam, Her dreams emerge like sunlit beam, To rise above and find her way, With courage strong, she’ll seize the day.

So let us stand, embrace her fight, Together, strive for what is right, With hearts and hands, let’s change the scheme, And let all women dare to dream.

కలగనలేని కళ్ళు

by Padma

ఆకాశానికి నల్లటి ముసుగేసినట్లు గా అగుపిస్తోంది, ఆమె మోముని కప్పేసిననిశిరాత్రి లాంటి ఓ నిశ్శబ్ధం! పాత వస్త్రా నికి పడినచిరుగుల్లా గా మిణుకుమంటున్నాయి పగలూ రాత్రు ల ఘర్షణమధ్య ఊగిసలాడే ఆమె కనుపాపలు! మరచిపోలేని జ్ఞా పకాలు పెనుభూతాలై చీకటి రాత్రు ల్లో వెంటపడి తరుముతుంటే, భయంతో రోదిస్తోంది ఆమె మనసు మూగగా ! ముళ్ళపొదగా పెరిగిపోయిన ఆమె పశ్చత్తా పం, చేసుకున్న తప్పులను ఎత్తి చూపుతూ గుచ్చుతోంది వాడిగా! మనసు అద్దంలో తనజీవితం ఓ అబద్ధంలా కనిపిస్తుంటే, ఆమె కనులనుండి పారిపోతోందినిదుర దూరంగా ! వేసవి గాలుల్లో ని మల్లెపూల సౌరభం భూమంతా పరిమళం నింపుతున్నట్లు , మౌనంగా చేసుకునే ఆమె ప్రా ర్ధనలు ఆదైవాన్ని తాకితే ఎంత బాగుండును! నిదుర కరువై ఎఱ్ఱ బారిన ఆమె కనులలో ఓబంగారు కల చల్లటి లేపనమై కరిగే రోజెపుడో! కలగనలేని ఆమె కనులలో కలతల కడలిని బ్రతికించే చంద్రబింబం వికసించే రోజెన్నడో!

She is wrapped in silence like the dark of the night.

Just like the sky that seems to be wrapped in a black veil Like the tatters of an old garment shimmering Her irises battle between day and night Unforgettable memories haunt her in the dark of the night, her heart filled with fear cries in silence Regret engulfs her like a thorny bush, reminding her of the mistakes she has made.

In the mirror of her heart, her life appears like a lie, the idea of sleep seems distant in her eyes The fragrance of jasmine flowers in the evening breeze adds sweetness to the earth, as she silently prays, finding solace in that divine presence.

Her sleepless eyes await a day when they can see a beautiful streak of sunlight In her eyes that cannot dream, when will a crescent moon emerge and paint waves of dreams

A New Me

by Radha

Like with a dear old friend The conversations in my head get easier, I am getting comfortable knowing easier Failure, flaws and faults do not trouble me I am able to comfort, cheer and soothe me Now I am my safe harbor Not an object, tool or folly My tears and trials are turning to triumph I started feeling better When it had stopped getting bad I will go far with my uneven beating heart The sting of rejection don’t bother enough Because I am okay not being that good enough My loneliness has left me alone As the darkness shifted towards the light I see far reaching eyes of survivors around I speak to them, ‘if it’s not right, then it’s not THE END

Isolation

by Mariam ‫ ایک شور کے بعد سکوت کے وہ‬،‫ وقت گزر رہا تھا‬، ‫تنہائی میں‬ ‫ اے تنہائی ہم ساتھ رہے‬، ‫ جب سے‬,‫ خالی اور سفیدصفحات‬،‫لمحات‬ ‫ہیں‬ ‫ کہاں ہے وہ‬، ‫ جن کی َرفاَق ت میں دولت ہے‬،‫تمام پیارے کہاں ہیں‬ ‫شہد کی بھیگی خوشی اور مسرت‬ ‫وہ‬،‫کبھی زندگی سے بھرے چہرے اب بے جان تصویروں میں قید ہیں‬ ‫مجھے بتاتے ہیں کہ میرا خون غیر ملکی ساحلوں پر سفید رنگ کی‬ ‫ماند ہو گیا ہے‬ ‫میں ایک غیر ملکی بنا ہوا ہوں۔اور جب میں نے پھپھوندی والی‬ ‫تصویروں سے اپنے دل کی بات کی۔ دیوانگی اور پاگل پن جیسے الفاظ‬ ‫سرگوشی کر رہے تھے۔ لہذا میں خود کو کھولنے اور یہ دیکھنے کے لئے‬ ‫تڑپ رہا ہوں کہ آیا یہ سچ ہے‬ ‫اگر میرا خون اب بھی سرخی مائل یا اس سے زیادہ ہلکے رنگ میں‬ ‫رواں ہے۔‬

In isolation, the time went fleeting by those moments of hush, pages empty and white, since when, o loneliness have we been together?

Where are all the loved ones, whose company I treasure where is that honey soaked cheer and mirth Faces once full of life, now in lifeless pictures captured, they tell me my blood has paled to a whitened shade for on foreign shores, I've been but a foreigner made and when i spoke my heart out to mildewed pictures words like insanity, and madness were whispered so I yearn to tear open myself and see if it's true If my blood still runs crimson or a much paler hue

ARTWORK

Watercolor

by Radha

A New Hope

Pencil Sketch

by Allie

Sparkle In Her Eyes

Acrylic Painting

by Safoora

Love Is In The Air

Acrylic Colors

by Trisha

Expression Through Art

Acrylic Paint

by Usha

Buddha In Repose

Madhubani

by Vishali

Twosome

Color Pencil

by Saroj

Ballet Dancer

Painting

by Saroj

Shatrunjaya Maha Tirth

Radha Krishna

Alcohol Ink

by Saroj

Standing Tall

Alcohol Ink

by Saroj

Finding Your Way

Colored Pens

by Daria

Assorted Collection

Colored Pens

by Daria

Assorted Collection

Modern Plastering

by Tina

Material : Gypsum Modern gypsum refers to the use of gypsum in contemporary architecture and interior design, where it is used to create various decorative elements such as 3D wall panels, cornices, and ceiling designs.

Modern gypsum offers a wide range of design possibilities for interior decoration. Some popular designs that can be created using modern gypsum include: 3D Wall Panels False Ceilings Cove Lighting Gypsum Mouldings

I learned this art in Iran and I was doing that for 3 years as an architect for my customers.

Modern Plastering

by Tina

Modern Plastering

by Tina

Mixed Media Media Painting

by Shilpa

Endless Suffering a woman who is shackled represented by the biding wire around the painting; the overall color scheme signifies the plight of women

RECIPES

Dolma with Vegetables

by Shakira

I am from the Middle East, from a small but beautiful country that is distinguished by many things, including the many delicious dishes. I am happy to share with you one of these dishes, Dolmas - Grape leaves. In my country, we cook grape leaves in two ways, one with meat and the second with vegetables.

Today I chose to share a Dolmas recipe with vegetables and rice which can be considered an appetizer.

Ingredients Grape leaves - 1lb Parsley - 1 bunch Mint - ½ bunch Onions - 2 Tomatoes - 3 Potato - 1 Lemons - 4 Salt Pepper Olive Oil Rice

Preparation Step 1: Rinse the rice thoroughly until the water is clear. Usually, it takes 3-4 rinses. This will remove the starch and keep it from becoming ‘gummy’.

Step 2 : Finely chop all the vegetables and add them to a large bowl. Add lemon juice from 2 lemons.

Step 3 : Boil the grape leaves for 5 minutes.

Step 4 : Start by preparing my cooking pot so that I can arrange the grape leaves as I stuff them. Lightly oil the pot with some extra virgin olive oil, then add a few layers of grape leaves and top with sliced tomatoes and potatoes. This protects the stuffed grape leaves touching the bottom of the pot from scorching.

Step 5 : Prepare the Stuffing : The stuffing here is made of rice, chopped vegetables and a few chopped fresh herbs (parsley and mint) and salt.

Step 6 : To stuff grape leaves, work one leaf at a time. Lay the leaf flat on a cutting board with the more textured side facing you. Cut off the stem.

Dolma with Vegetables

by Shakira

Preparation Contd...

Take a heaping teaspoon of the rice stuffing mixture (a little bit less than 1 tablespoon) and place in the center of the leaf (close to where the stem was).

Step 7 : Fold and roll grape leaves tightly enough but not too tight so the rice has room to expand as it cooks.

Step 8 : Neatly arrange the grape leaves in rows, seam-side down, in your prepared pot, covering the circumference of the pot.

Step 9 : Then place a small plate inverted on top (this helps keep them in place while cooking.) Boil the water or broth and pour over the grape leaves, arriving at the top layer and somewhat covering (about 4 cups liquid, maybe a little more.)

Cover the pot with its lid and cook over low heat for 2 hours. Uncover and remove the plate, then pour juice of 2 lemons. Cover again with the lid (no need for the plate at this point), cook on low heat for 30 to 45 more minutes or until fully cooked.

Let rest for 20 to 30 minutes uncovered, before transferring to a serving platter. It is served cold and is best eaten on the second day.

Palmyra Palm Donuts

by Manu

These donuts have a unique taste and are easy to do

Ingredients Palmyra palm fruits: 3 Jaggery: 1 cup Semolina: 1 cup Cardamom powder: 1 Teaspoon Rice powder: 1/4 cup Oil for frying

Preparation Freshly squeeze the fruit and keep the pulp ready.

Add all the above ingredients one by one to the fruit pulp.

Mix well to make a firm dough. No water is needed.

Let the dough rest for 15 minutes. Make sure to keep it covered.

Take a small portion and make into a ball.

Knead each ball well before shaping it into a donut.

Then deep fry on medium flame, gently turning each so that they are evenly cooked and turn brown.

Remove and place them on tissue to help absorb the excess oil. Serve hot.

TIPS: Always use fresh fruits.

Ensure the stove is on medium flame.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

by SN

Ingredients 1.5 cups brown sugar 1 cup butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg 2 cups rolled oats 1.5 cup all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup semisweet chocolate chipS

Preparation Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, stir brown sugar and butter until blended.

Stir in vanilla extract and egg until light and fluffy.

Stir in oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips.

On the ungreased cookie sheet, drop dough using a rounded tablespoons about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 12-13 mins or until golden brown. Cool for 2 mins before removing from the cookie sheet.

Rice Flour Thalipeeth (Spicy Pancakes)

by Kavi

Ingredients Rice flour– 1 Cup Water - 1 Cup Carrots- 2 Baby Dill- 2 bunches Salt to taste Oil- 2TBSP Green chilis 2 to 3

Preparation Cut baby dill thinly Grate the carrots and cut green chilis into very small pieces In saucepan boil water by adding 1 tbsp oil and salt (as per the taste) After water starts boiling, add grated carrots and cut baby dill. Reduce the heat. Let it boil for another 2-3 minutes.

Keep it on low heat. Add rice floor - one spoon at a time and keep stirring so that it will not form the lumps. Switch off the heat and then add green chilis. Mix well.

Take it out in big plate and let it cool for 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, apply 2 TSP oil and knead it to a smooth ball.

Cover it for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, roll the roti. Use rice flour to make roti small/ medium size and roast it from both sides on pan.

Apply ghee or oil to keep it soft.

Red Bell Pepper Chutney

by Jaya

Ingredients 2 medium sliced red bell peppers chopped 1 medium sized onion chopped 1 cup cilantro finely chopped 5-6 red chillies (use less or more depending on your spice level) 1 tbsp chana dal 2 tbsp urad dal 1 tsp mustard 1 tsp oil Salt to taste

Preparation Heat the oil in a fry pan, when hot add the mustard seeds Add both the dals and red chillies; cook until the dals turn light brown Add the chopped onions cooks until they turn translucent Add the red bell pepper and cook for 5-6 minutes Add a few tbsps. of water at this time to ensure that the bell pepper is cooked Take it off the stove & let cool Blend to a paste with the chopped cilantro and salt Serve as a side dish/accompaniment with any meal. Enjoy!

Nutella Cake with Swiss Meringue Buttercream

by Fahria

This Nutella Cake was a hit for my son’s birthday this year. The cake was super moist and chocolatey. The swiss meringue buttercream takes more effort to make than a traditional buttercream but the results are so worth it.

Ingredients For the cake: 2 cups (260 g) all-purpose flour ⅔ cup (57 g) unsweetened cocoa powder, plus more for dusting the pans 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, room temperature 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar ⅓ cup (113 g) Nutella 2 large eggs, room temperature 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 2 cups (480 ml) buttermilk, room temperature For the swiss meringue buttercream: 6 large egg whites 2 cups granulated sugar 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter room temperature ¾ cup Nutella

Preparation Make the cake Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray 3 8-inch round pans or 4 6-inch round pans with nonstick spray. Line the bottoms with parchment paper cut into a circle to fit the pan. Spray the parchment paper with nonstick spray and dust the pan lightly with cocoa powder. Tap out any excess and set aside.

Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-low speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the Nutella until well combined. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Beat in the vanilla.

With the mixer set to low speed. gradually add half the flour mixture, followed by the buttermilk, and then the remaining flour mixture. Beat just until combined. The batter will be thick.

Divide the batter evenly between the 3 (or 4) prepared pans. Use an offset spatula to spread the batter all the way to the edges of the pan and smooth out the surface. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few dry crumbs.

Cool the cake in the pans for 10 minutes. Invert the cakes onto a wire rack, peel the parchment paper off the bottoms, and allow the cakes to cool completely.

Nutella Cake with Swiss Meringue Buttercream

by Fahria Preparation Contd...

Make the swiss meringue buttercream As the cakes are cooling, make the buttercream.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the egg whites and the sugar. Mix well. Set the bowl over a smaller bowl filled about ¼ or the way with water. Turn the stove on high and allow the water to come to a boil. Essentially, we are creating a double boiler. Keep mixing your egg whites as the water starts to boil. Then turn the stove down to medium low and keep mixing until your egg white mixture reaches 160°F. It will take about 10 minutes or so if you are using an electric stove top.

Place the bowl of the stand mixer into your mixer with the whisk attachment. Whisk on high speed until the mixture cools down to room temperature and the mixture appears glossy and you start to achieve stiff peaks.

Turn the mixer down to medium speed and slowly add the butter. Once all the butter has been incorporated, turn the mixer to high until the buttercream gets fluffy and cloud-like. If your frosting appears runny, do not fear. Take the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes and beat in your mixer again.

Whip in the Nutella and continue to mix on medium until incorporated.

Assemble the cake Make sue your cakes are completely cool. Place one cake layer onto a serving platter. Add 1 cup of frosting and spread it to the edge with a spatula. Repeat with a second cake layer, topping it with 1 cup of frosting. Add the third cake layer and cover the top and sides of the cake with frosting. If you have 4 cake layers, use ¾ cup frosting between layers.

Notes: Buttermilk is required because of the baking soda in this recipe. The acid from the buttermilk will neutralize the baking soda, this removes any off-flavor the baking soda can leave behind. If you don't have buttermilk, you can make it by placing 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar into a 1-cup liquid measuring cup. Then fill the cup with whole milk to make 1 full cup. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes before using. Do this for every cup of buttermilk called for in the recipe.

This cake is soft and delicate! It's best to cool the layers and chill them before frosting. Also, chill the frosted cake before slicing if you wish to have neat slices.

Dust the inside of the pans with cocoa powder to prevent the cake from sticking. The cocoa powder will blend in with the dark cake color, unlike flour.

**Recipe adapted from Baked by an Introvert and Eva Bakes

Use room temperature ingredients! Cold eggs are difficult to blend into cake batter without overworking it. Cold buttermilk will cause the butter to resolidify and the batter will curdle.

Cake layers freeze well and can be frozen for up to 2 months. If you bake 4 layers, you can frost 2 and save 2 for later. Wrap each layer individually in plastic wrap before freezing.

The frosting can be made 1 day in advance. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container. Bring to room temperature and re-whip before using it.

The frosting can also be frozen for up to 2 months.

Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight then let it come to room temperature and re-whip before using.

REFLECTIONS

Spiritual But Not Religious

by Bishaka ‘Spiritual but not Religious’- a phrase that is quite popular

For me religion is more of a social issue, while spirituality

with well-known celebrities, and intellectuals around the

is more personal and individual. A person’s tendency to be

world. Somehow it seems to fall in a happy place between

religious, atheist or agnostic is generally dictated by the

being strictly old fashioned religious and a very hard

family and society they are born into. So, a person born

intellectually rigorous atheist or agnostic.

into a religious family tends to be religious, and another born into a non-religious family tends to be non-religious.

Living in the post 9/11 era, I can understand this growing

This is unless at some point there is a conscious break

discomfort with the term religious. Throughout human

from the family tradition for intellectual, philosophical or

history, too many wars have been fought, and too many

personal reasons. This is just as true for religious people,

lives lost in the name of religion. This is true about almost

as it is for their non-religious counterparts.

all established religions in the world. Sadly, not only do such conflicts continue to this day, they have become even

Spirituality on the other hand is a person’s attempt to

more resurgent and predominant today. This has given

understand his or her own place in the larger scheme of

religion a really bad name. The term religion has almost

things of the universe. For me spirituality is a person’s

become synonymous with social inequality, intolerance,

awareness

blind prejudice and bigotry. This is the reason why a lot of

relationships with nature, other people, other things, both

people have started to become disenchanted with

tangible and intangible and their understanding of the

organized religion.

workings

and

of

the

attempts

world

relationships with these.

in

to

understand

general.

his/her

Everyone

has

It is just the awareness and

Interestingly, the fundamental principles taught by every

effort to understand these relationships and their workings

religion are but the same. They all focus on human dignity

that differentiates a spiritual person from a non-spiritual

and universality that emphasizes on love and service to

person.

other human beings. So, people who prefer the term ‘Spiritual but not Religious’ to describe themselves, usually

There are a lot of religious people, who follow a set of

want to believe in these fundamental principles, without

religious code of conduct, because it is followed by other

getting trapped into the nitty-gritty rituals of any particular

people of the same faith, rather than their sense of

religion, that sometimes promote divisions within people.

relatedness to other people or a superior being. By my yardstick, a lot of religious people are spiritual, and lot of

However I find the term ‘Spiritual but not Religious’

them are not; and by the same standard a lot of non-

curious, because it starts from the presumption that

religious people are really spiritual, while others are not.

anyone who is religious is naturally spiritual, and the two words

are

often

used

interchangeably.

In

my

A person does not become prejudiced, narrow minded,

understanding being religious or non-religious has little to

anti-other religions just because they are religious people.

do with spirituality.

Similarly, being non-religious does not guarantee that a person will not be prejudiced, narrow-minded or a bigot.

A lot of non-religious people are just as prejudiced, because somehow, they believe that by being nonbelievers, they are intellectually superior to the so- called blind religious masses.

Spiritual But Not Religious

by Bishaka

I was born into a fairly religious Hindu family, which is by no means a dogmatic one. We essentially followed mostly Hindu customs, but like many Indian families, we had photographs of Jesus Christ at home, decorated a Christmas tree during Christmas, and also joined our Muslim friends in celebrating Eid. While we do have quite a few copies of the Holy Gita at home, we also have at least one copy of both the Holy Bible and the Koran. At the same time, we also have the full set of the complete works of Marx and Engels. I have not read any of these books fully or thoroughly. But I have read bits and pieces not only from these books, but also other books that deal with these subjects to know that each one of these are emphasizing on the same universality of human life and human dignity. They only use different paradigms and different examples to establish the same truth.

As for me, even though I often have serious doubts about my own beliefs in a superior being, I can never become a complete nonbeliever. It is strongly engrained in my psyche. I know that for me being a believer works better than being an atheist or agnostic. I am not very rigid about religious rules and regulations. Orthodox Hindus are likely to think I am an absolute non-believer, but non-believers are likely to think I am quite religious.

By my own estimation, I am somewhat religious and I sincerely strive to be spiritual. When it comes to the idea of religion I tend to agree with Albert Einstein, where he says, “All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. All these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man's life, lifting it from the sphere of mere physical existence and leading the individual towards freedom.”

Bible Verse with Commentary

by Ana from Mexico Isaiah 43 Pero ahora, así dice el Señor, ...

No temas, que yo te he redimido; te he llamado por tu nombre; tú eres mío.

2. Cuando cruces las aguas, yo estaré contigo; cuando cruces los ríos, no te cubrirán sus aguas; cuando camines por el fuego, no te quemarás ni te abrasarán las llamas.

3. Yo soy el Señor tu Dios, el Santo de Israel, tu Salvador; 4 Porque eres precioso a mis ojos y digno de honra, yo te amo. A cambio de ti entregaré pueblos; a cambio de tu vida entregaré naciones.

5 No temas, porque yo estoy contigo; desde el oriente traeré a tu descendencia, desde el occidente te reuniré.

6 Al norte diré: “¡Entrégalos!”. Y al sur: “¡No los retengas!

Trae a mis hijos desde lejos y a mis hijas desde los confines de la tierra.

El amor es el arm más poderosa sobre la tierra, el amor tiene el poder de llenarnos de vida y esperanza, de darnos valor, dignidad, una posición de honor. Pero no hablo de cualquier amor sino del amor de Dios.

Cuando he pasado tiempos difíciles Su amor me sostiene, veo el amor de Dios en esta casa llamada Shelter (Refugio), veo el amor de Dios en cada mujer con la que compartido sonrisas, amistad, tiempos de lágrimas pero también tiempos divertidos. Veo el amor de Dios en cada mujer y hombre que está detrás de este proyecto para proteger al tesoro del corazón de Dios: La mujer y los niños.

Cuando la vida decía estás acabada es tu fin, el Señor nuestro Dios dice yo TE AMO Y TU VIDA Me es de gran estima, yo te conozco por nombre y aunque pases por las aguas no te ahogarás porque yo estaré contigo.

Una mujer da su vida por sus hijos y esposo pero aveces su esposo no da su vida por ella, al contrario toma todo lo más bella de ella y cuando la ve vulnerable la deja, no todos pero si algunos. Es ahí donde me conmueve leer este versículo en la Biblia donde Dios nos dice a toda mujer que El nos ama y que el ha pagado un precio muy alto por nuestra vida y bienestar. Que nadie humille a las hijas de Dios porque cada mujer es una hija de Dios creada para propósitos eternos y para dar vida y formar familias.

Dios se manifestó en carne en Jesucristo y dio su vida para redención de todo el que le reciba. Doy gracias a dios por traerme a este Refugio donde he pasado mi proceso de transformación, así como una mariposa tiene un proceso para llegar a tener alas y volar así nosotras en este lugar estamos formando nuestras alas para volar y tener una vida plena y digna llena de amor y respeto.

Bible Verse with Commentary

by Ana from Mexico Isaiah 43 But now thus saith the Lord,....

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.

2. When you cross the waters I will be with you; when you cross the rivers, their waters shall not cover you; when you walk through the fire, thou shalt not be burned and the flames shall not scorch you.

3 I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; 4 Because you are precious in my sight and worthy of honor, I love you. In exchange for you I will give peoples; in exchange for your life I will give nations.

5 Fear not, for I am with you; from the east I will bring your descendants, from the west I will gather you.

6 To the north I will say, "Deliver them!" And to the south, "Do not hold them back! Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth.

Love is the most powerful weapon on earth, love has the power to fill us with life and hope, to give us courage, dignity, a position of honor. But I am not talking about just any love, I am talking about God's love.

When I have gone through hard times His love sustains me, I see God's love in this house called Shelter, I see God's love in every woman with whom I have shared smiles, friendship, times of tears but also fun times. I see God's love in every woman and man who is behind this project to protect the treasure of God's heart: Women and children.

When life said you are finished it is the end of you, the Lord our God says I LOVE YOU AND YOUR LIFE is dear to me, I know you by name and even if you pass through the waters you will not drown because I will be with you.

A woman gives her life for her children and husband but sometimes her husband does not give his life for her, on the contrary he takes all that is most beautiful in her and when he sees her vulnerable he leaves her, not all but some. That is where I am moved when I read this verse in the Bible where God tells every woman that He loves us and that He has paid a very high price for our life and well being. Let no one humiliate the daughters of God because every woman is a daughter of God created for eternal purposes and to give life and form families.

God manifested himself in the flesh in Jesus Christ and gave his life for the redemption of all who will receive him. I thank God for bringing me to this Refuge where I have passed my transfusion process.

CONVERSATIONS

CONVERSATIONS

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Tina Says

An incident

or e ve n

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t in my life One inciden that positiv t that positive ely impacte ly impacted d me : local orphan me was whe age. Seeing n I vo lu th nteered at a e children's their difficult smiles and h circumstanc a p p in e e ss despite s made me ap life and insp preciate the ired me to c blessings in ontinue givin my g back to m y community.

CONVERSATIONS

: r to be e h l l e uld t fe. f, I wo l e s gs in li d n l i o h t r y new 6-yea e. d to tr t my 1 e e r e a one els c m y y s n e a If I b r rs. The y fo on't e t i d h t t n d o e n n ur id irl, a ch o rave g nge yo oo mu t a h d If t c n 't e Be a b p on her on't de self, d r d u e d o w y n a , i Be t l n l ge is on u. . de o u n y o e y p n i f e h ly o o bec t to it Be ind ntage ness w a a i v p v d p u a i a sit: ne pla h se Him ke d n i f , I s will ta I c n a ay nee layas eed t choo e in t py alw se ok he . Th Be hap d to fee e Him now t the Hi worl d m l th h e p alaya e trut alaya that s is res I h s enc full of th eo e f G of my ste od. ries .I

Rinu Says

A n in

c id

e nt o There r e ve are s nt in o ma God m y li ny inc but w fe th i d e e at po n can s us in s it iv e our d ee go ts that ha ppen ifficu d in s ly i m reach e l t o d pact situat me p ed SF in my ed m e i o o life. W n. Las airpo ple w time e: rt I do t yea I saw e h o c a a n't se re co r I ca n't kn a Pun He bo m e m o jabi in e bac w how ok k from g & helpin to ge incide ed a Uber man I aske g I t n a tax dia & d him for m nt ma i, so I e. Go de m to he am sc e fee d onl lp me y sen ared l con for ge fiden d him that t t i n t & tr gaU to he ust in ber. lp me God . This more .

CONVERSATIONS

that I in the world e c la p e n o ly and saw If there is on and, I heard rl ze it w S : it is will get to v . autiful place e b that it is a

An in im p c id e nt a ct or e e Sta rting d me: vent i nm po wo

sitiv y li f e th rk for t e th he f ing at p irst in m o s it time y lif iv e l e. is th y em ost exc iting and

Leena Says

ld tell her to be: If I meet my 16-year-old self, I wou its for r goals, ambition, energy and hab Stay true yourself, don’t change you anyone . Regardless ly responsible for your life but you Realize that no one else is ultimate life at the you , you are the one has to live the of what happens to you or around or you make ’t wait for others to do things for end of the day, no one else. Don love yourself unconditionally ! things happen, do it yourself and so as you get care looks different to everyone, Always make time for self care, self h physically what you need to be healthy, bot to know yourself better, tune into you can make f because if you are happy then and emotionally, don’t deny yoursel others to be happy.

CONVERSATIONS

be: her to l l e t ould ge. I, elf, I w oung a hree s y d a l t o a r th to t ghters 16-yea ir dau ave bir e et my g h e t d m n y r I r If teen a to ma sen to with e of six ld have cho prefer g y a e e happy h t h t , u m y t o r a t a I w n cou arried e, but age time, I In my small scienc , got m ack in e e b le h u t p o s r t g m u a a p h for ex I could s and lieve t but if d I be studie , n n y a e it , r s r d m chil unive to the te my close . comple n and I am easier gs go ildre in h h c t y s m ake nce m differe

If t h g e ere i t to so n hav v e n i s i t : ly o n e wo W i c pl e e r w h ld I c a t im e s a ll lo a c e i v e re n , e n m y g o t b u t if t o t r t h e w o, I ave mo th e o rl c th e l, r d r liv h o o s e e is o h a v e t h a t n ly es. f to u o n e n a I w i ll go nd to p t h e la c e p la i c e n the

Shakira Says

An incident or event in my life that positively impacted me: We all experience things and events during our lives, some of which are beautiful and some of which we think are not good, but we are exposed to them, either to learn more or for God to test the strength of our patience and to thank Him, perhaps for things that we did not know how precious they were.

When my eldest son was 19 years old he was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, at that time I felt that time had stopped and that the sky had fallen over my head. I felt that my soul was being taken from me. Nothing could describe that feeling, but I had to remain strong. To my son, I am strong and I give him hope in life. This was my duty. I remember when he found out from the doctor that he had cancer, and after the doctor left, he started crying and saying, “I have cancer, and I will be exposed to doses of chemotherapy, and my appearance will change. I told him that it is like a cold, and you will recover from it. We will fight it, you and me, and we will defeat it. Your appearance has changed on the outside, but you are beautiful on the inside and you will remain beautiful. You are strong and you will triumph and succeed. I am with you and I love you. My son received a bone marrow transplant.”

They were very difficult years, but my son and I learned from them that nothing is more precious than health and that hope works miracles. My son is now a very successful person and I am proud of him.

CONVERSATIONS

to be: ss, and tell her ld u o appine h w , I e , uld go c lf n e e noc s. If I co -old s in r ip f h a o s e d ll y r u llest is f y ha t my 16 o the fu so man e of life t e e im c f t If I mee a li t f r a e o back, th ew up t lly live h ss.

If th l to rea hen I gr Looking t ir g d uthfulne n o g y A n ere . u d s o n s y a e , e ln s h s u t f e h ll is o t in e g u t p o p y e ld a u h o t , nly e w c I to v cen ime o t one n in in i k t s w c a h i t ba t i f s : pla o h ll I a t y a o jo m en be i alre ce in t hav and to n e ad he w th or aca the bes e U.S., y here : dem t op e i t wa ld that spe port ical goo c I wi s i all my ly un d liv es. T excelle ity to r y Califo greate ll a n his i rnia st s th t with t ise my . e ha child Here, I he b ppie ren est c st p t lace hance o be for .

Little Mouse Says

An in ci

When dent or e vent I beg an to in my deal expe of ho life t r i p e hat p e n overc lessn ce m ositiv ess a y har ome n d t h ely im d neg ship I is for stren a w gths m pact t a i y v s s e e o a t lf and verco h nd ab ed m gets me b my da inking. But ilities e: bette yag to rai ughte as I f r and reat ough se my rs, I b the fu t to e childr ture l en on gan to se ooks e brigh my ow my ter fo n. No r mys w , every elf an day d my childr en.

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