The Cushion in the Road: Meditation and Wandering as the Whole World Awakens to Being in Harm's Way
336
The Cushion in the Road: Meditation and Wandering as the Whole World Awakens to Being in Harm's Way
336Hardcover
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Overview
Alice Walker once ached for retirement, but in the turmoil of the Democratic primaries and the economic collapse of 2008, she realized she simply had a great deal more to say. Leaving her meditation cushion behind, she found herself traveling the world once again to speak of our intertwined personal, spiritual, and political destinies through ruminations, poems, essays, and letters.
At the height of her literary powers, this revered American novelist, poet, essayist, and activist invites readers on a journey of political awakening and spiritual insight. While visiting subjects she has addressed throughout her career—including racism, Africa, Palestinian solidarity, and Cuba—as well as addressing emergent issues, such as the presidency of Barack Obama and health care, Walker explores her conflicting impulses to retreat into inner contemplation and to remain deeply engaged with the world.
Rich with humor and wisdom, and informed by Walker’s unique eye for the details of human and natural experience, The Cushion in the Road is “a heartfelt response to a new generation’s yearning for public service” (Kirkus Reviews).
“Walker’s concern for the state of humanity and the planet comes through as impassioned and genuine.” —Publishers Weekly
“Quintessential Alice Walker: edgy, demanding, prayerful, loving, and aware. An essential companion for those who wish to be a force for positive change in our perpetually challenging world.” —ForeWord Magazine
“Infused with a quiet grace and gentle resolve to act responsibly.” —Kirkus Reviews
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781595588722 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | New Press, The |
| Publication date: | 04/09/2013 |
| Pages: | 336 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.30(d) |
About the Author
Hometown:
Mendocino, CaliforniaDate of Birth:
February 9, 1944Place of Birth:
Eatonton, GeorgiaEducation:
B.A., Sarah Lawrence College, 1965; attended Spelman College, 1961-63Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction 1
Witness: On Barack Obama
Lest We Forget: An Open Letter to My Sisters Who Are Brave 7
What I Want: Compassion as a Value 13
May Whatever We Have Gained, Not Be Lost 17
Finally It Is Here: Election Day 20
Dear Brother President (Elect) 22
What Do I Expect from This Turn of the Historical Wheel 25
A Letter to President Obama About Torture 28
Understanding Health Care 34
Well Done-Obama and the Nobel Prize 36
For What It's Worth: Some Thoughts on War, Disappointment, and Anger 37
Why War is Never a Good Idea 43
The Road of Life
Human Sunrise 47
Introducing the Ojibwa Warrior 56
A Wedding Ceremony: Marrying Good Men 63
Coming to Mississippi 69
Saying Good-bye to My Friend Howard Zinn 72
On The Help 78
Honoring Cicely Tyson 82
We Are in This Place for a Reason 86
Listening to Howie: The Optimism of Uncertainty 91
MEDITATION: The Settled Mind
Milagros de la Vida Turtles 98
Facing La Madre 100
Giving, as Generously as the Earth 102
Seeking Counsel from Diego and Frida 104
Hitting the Mark 106
The Victory Belongs to Love: So What About Marriage? 109
The Clarity 112
Overwhelm 114
Queen Snows 116
All the Stars 119
The Killing of Troy Davis 121
The G in "Ode to Joy" 123
Frozen River Is a Moving Surprise 125
May I Be Frank 126
¡Nadie te Quita lo Bailado! 128
Loving Audiobooks but Not the Segregation of Books and Literature 129
At Sea on the Audacity of Hope 132
Stubborn Flowers Climbing 134
Windows: Discovering Uri Avnery 136
Reclaiming the Cross 138
"This is What You Shall Do"
A Recipe for Difficult Times: Anxiety Soup 146
Everyone's a Victim 151
Sisterloss 154
We Are Remembered for What We Teach 160
Edwidge Danticat, the Quiet Stream 164
More Meditation Required! 166
"We Believe" by Staughton and Alice Lynd 169
The Inner Listener 172
From Grandmother's Horse 175
Free Dogs and the Albany Bulb Waterfront Park 178
Ending the Age of Waste 180
The Case of Bradley Manning 185
Evolution 189
Bursting into Love 192
Life Lessons: Gratitude Is My Only Prayer 194
WANDERING
The Universe Belongs to Everyone 199
12 Questions: Korean Women's Soul Questions 205
Adopting an Orphanage 221
Coming to See You Since I Was Five Years Old: An American Poet's Connection to the South African Soul 224
St. John: The Lennonono Grant for Peace Ceremony 238
About Aung San Suu Kyi, Meditator and Teacher 242
SOLIDARITY: Letters
A Letter from Alice Walker to Aung San Suu Kyi 249
A Letter About Nature From 2005 260
An Open Letter to Nawal El Saadawi 263
To Whom It May Concern: With Special Attention to the Prime Minister, Attorney General, and Speaker of the Knesset in Israel 266
On Palestine
We Can Offer What We Are 271
Boycotts Must Happen in the Heart 272
"You Will Have No Protection" 277
What Changes the World? Bearing Witness to the Truth 281
Nothing Is Stronger Than a Circle 286
The Peace of Nonviolent Resistance 296
Auntie, I Simply Can't Imagine It! 298
And So Our Trails Continue 312
Overcoming Speechlessness 314
Empathy Is a Wave 343
To the Freedom Riders of Palestine 346
The Sanity of Friendship 348
Onward
Encountering the Unknown Brazil 355
Permissions 363