La Filosofia di Buddhism

Famigli e Amici,

Many of you already know that Jenny and I are making our way towards entry into Classical Chinese Medicine at the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM). However, what you may not know is that we are also exploring other spiritual and philosophical teachings of the East: Buddhism, Sufism, Taoism, and Confuscism.

While we are not exploring these philosophies in hopes of converting--we are quite happy with our present spiritual beliefs--we are eager to understand what two-thirds of the non-Western world is taught as foundational knowledge for life. Wisdom, it seems, is not gained from solo pursuits of specific, technical knowledge. Rather, it seems that wisdom is most often gained from opening the mind to alternative ideas and letting them gestate over time. Yes, I know--it sounds cliche, but we feel it is important to come back to the cliche time and time again, re-evaluating how we can further expand our mind at each period in our life.

As we explore, we wanted to share some of our thoughts with our family and friends. Recently, we came across a passage that was especially germane to our immediate family. Not long ago, two very close friends of ours lost a baby (born still) and a brother. Both events touched us deeply and caused us to think hard about the nature of life and death.

A few weeks later while in the library, we came across two books by Thich Nhat Hanh, one called "Anger" and the other called "No Death, No Fear." Many passages from his books have touch our life, but one seemed especially important that helped us ease the suffering we felt for our dear friends Bekka and Kenny. We offer it to them and anyone else who has suffered from a loss that affected them deeply.

This is from "No Death, No Fear" and it is Hanh writing about and experience and revelation he had.

QUOTE
In my hermitage in France there is a bush of japonica, Japanese quince. The bush usually blossoms in the spring, but one winter it had been quite warm and the flower buds had come early. During the night a cold snap arrived and brought with it frost. The next day while doing walking meditation, I noticed that all the buds on the bush had died. I recognized this and thought, 'This New year we will not have enough flowers to decorate the alter of the Buddha.'

A few weeks later the weather became warm again. As I walked in my garden I saw new buds on the japonica manifesting another generation of flowers. I asked the japonica flowers: "Are you the same as the flowers that died in the frost or are you different flowers?" The flowers replied to me: "Thay, we are not the same and we are not different. When conditions are sufficient we manifest and when conditions are not sufficient we go into hiding. It's as simple as that."

This is what the Buddha taught. When conditions are sufficient things manifest. When conditions are no longer sufficient things withdraw. They wait until the moment is right for them to manifest again.

Before giving birth to me, my mother was pregnant with another baby. She had a miscarriage, and that person wasn't born. When I was young I used to ask the question: was that my brother or was that me? Who was trying to manifest at that time? If a baby has been lost it means that conditions were not enough for him to manifest and the child has decided to withdraw in order to wait for better conditions. "I had better withdraw; I'll come back again soon, my dearest." We have to respect his or her will. If you see the world with eyes like this, you will suffer much less. Was it my brother that my mother lost? Or maybe I was about to come out but instead I said, "It isn't time yet," so I withdrew.
END QUOTE

Excerpt from NO DEATH, NO FEAR. Pps: 3-4. Unified Buddhist Church; Riverhead Books, New York; 2002.

To Bekka and Kenny: We feel that when the time is right to manifest your child, he or she will arrive. We have great faith and happiness that on that day, you will be joyous. Until that time we send you all our love.

Yours in love,
Nate and Jen

La Crisi Dei Rifiuti

Famiglia e Amici,

Many of you have asked for more description about what Jenny and I endured during the trash crisis in December and January. We've not got our pictures downloaded from the home computer yet, but we do have a copy of the official letter we sent to the command requesting assistance to move due to the pollution. It was approved, so we won a small battle, which is good.

Here's a copy of the letter:

DATE: 22 JANUARY 2008

From: LT Nathan J. Heide, USN, XXX-XX-3821
CNE-C6F, NEPO PLANS, LOGISTICS
JennyMarie G. Heide, ND-05 CIV, USN, XXX-XX-7593
To: Commanding Officer, NAVSUPPACT Naples, Italy

Via:
(1) CDR Molina, NEPO PLANS, LOGISITCS
(2) Dr. Mittleman, SCIENCE ADVISOR
(3) CAPT Cuthbert, NEPO PLANS, DEPDIR
(4) COL Riccio, USMC, NEPO PLANS
(5) Housing Director, U.S. Naval Support Activity, Naples, Italy

Subj: LT HEIDE AND JENNYMARIE HEIDE’S REQUEST FOR EXCEPTION TO CNIC 7U21024 INTRASTATION MOVE POLICY

Ref:
(a) Jenny-Marie Heide TCS orders dtd 30 Nov 2007
(b) CDC Air Pollution/Respiratory Issues, www.cdc.gov
(c) CNIC 7U21024 Intrastation Moves Policy
(d) National Air Toxics Program: The Integrated Urban Strategy Report to Congress, Appendix A
(e) EPA Summary on the Hazards of Backyard Burning
(f) American Lung Association Fact Sheet on Children and Ozone Pollution, 2000
(g) American Lung Assoc. Particle Pollution Fact Sheet
(h) Article: Agent orange chemical, dioxin, attacks the mitochondria to cause cancer, says Penn research team, Press Release, UPENN 2007
(i) Excerpt, National Institute of Environ. Health Sci.
(j) Dr. Mercola summary of JAMA March 6, 2002;287:1132-1141, Deadly Affects of Air Pollution
(k)NSA Naples Occupational Safety and Health Hazards
(l) Meeting with Dep Director of Housing requesting 70A Via Marmolito water testing, 07 JAN 2008
(m) CDC NIOSH Publication No. 99-101
(n) Medical Appointments and reports, LT Nathan and JennyMarie Heide: DEC 2007, 06JAN08, 07JAN08, 14JAN08.
(o) NAVMSG Excerpt. DTG R 201638Z NOV 07. Naples Garbage Crisis.
(p) NAVMSG Excerpt. DTG R 102117Z DEC 07. NCIS Threat Assessment, Naples, Italy.

ENCLS: (1) Photos of trash locations around Heide household
(2) Map summary of burning patterns for 70A Via Marmolito

Subj: LT HEIDE AND JENNYMARIE HEIDE’S REQUEST FOR EXCEPTION TO CNIC 7U21024 INTRASTATION MOVE POLICY

1. Reference (a) authorizes housing on the economy for us. Due to ongoing trash burning in Quarto, and resulting trips to medical documenting our concerns, we have deemed our quarters “to be unfit for occupancy” per the Policy Guidance on Local Moves – PPV Housing chapter in the JFTR par. U5355. We believe our quarters are unfit due to the exceptionally heavy environmental pollution which negatively affects our health and ability to do our jobs. We request a waiver to ref (c), CNIC 7U21024 Intrastation Move Policy, authorizing a government funded move to a new location under the following direction: “Regional Commander and Installation Commanding Officer: may make exceptions to this policy in unique hardship cases.” We believe our situation constitutes a “unique hardship case”. We are requesting an economy-to-economy move. We are not eligible for any government housing because of the number and types of our pets (two dogs, two cats, and one horse). Additionally, we feel it is important to state that we had absolutely no idea of the severe hazardous environment affecting this residence prior to moving in. Paragraphs 2-11 provide reasons for our request.
2. We believe our current quarters, 70A Via Marmolito, is uniquely hazardous for the following reason: three large trash piles, containing plastics, car batteries, furniture, cleaning chemicals, motor oils, rubber tires, industrial cleaners and degreasers from the local auto repair shop, and other garbage commonly found in Italian homes, are regularly burned and create potentially toxic plumes that carry-over into our home. The potentially toxic fumes have driven us out of our home on several occasions over the last six months, and most recently have caused us to seek medical advice from the Naval Hospital and NSA Occupational Safety Department.
3. We live within 500 meters of three large trash piles that are burned on a regular basis by local residents. We suspect the fumes to be harmful and possibly contain the following potentially toxic chemicals (as cited in ref (d)): Cadmium, Acrolein, Acrylonitrile, Benzene, Butadiene, Carbon Tetrachloride, Chromium IV, Ethylene Oxide, Lead Compounds, Mercury Compounds, Methylene Chloride, Tetrachloridibezo-p-DIOXIN, Vinyl Chloride, Tetrachloroethylene, Tetrachloroethane, and Trichloroethylene. Ref (d) indicates that all of the above listed chemicals can be released into the atmosphere from waste/trash burning.

Subj: LT HEIDE AND JENNYMARIE HEIDE’S REQUEST FOR EXCEPTION TO CNIC 7U21024 INTRASTATION MOVE POLICY

4. Additionally, ref (d) indicates that when humans are exposed to the above air-borne chemicals, exposed persons can experience the following effects: “Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure of humans to benzene [et al.] may cause drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, as well as eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation, and, at high levels, unconsciousness. Chronic (long-term) inhalation exposure has caused various disorders in the blood, including reduced numbers of red blood cells and aplastic anemia, in occupational settings. Reproductive effects have been reported for women exposed by inhalation to high levels, and adverse effects on the developing fetus have been observed in animal tests. Increased incidence of leukemia has been observed in humans occupationally exposed to benzene. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified benzene [et al.], as a human carcinogen.” Our medical reports indicated we have experienced similar symptoms listed by the EPA from exposure to air-borne toxic chemicals. Please see ref (n) for medical documentation. Irresponsible dumping and frequent trash burning since SEPT 2007 is not new to Quarto. Our living situation is an exceptional situation and unique hardship.
5. We believe the burning trash and air pollution in Quarto is causing severe health issues for us. Refs (b), and (d) through (k) all indicate short and long-term dangers exist for people who are exposed to burning trash and air pollution. The symptoms that we currently experience while at home are: headaches, watery/burning eyes, sore burning throats, dizziness, skin rashes, upset stomachs, tiredness, shortness of breath, and stupor. Refs (b), and (d) through (k) all indicate our symptoms are congruent with symptoms to persons exposed to air-borne chemicals. Additionally, we have serious concerns about the quality of our water due to the trash-to-soil chemical leaching we have observed near our home. Enclosure (1) shows partially burned and leaking chemical cleaning containers into the street. Ref (l) is our request, submitted to the Housing Office, for water testing.
6. Per refs (b), and (d) through (k), we have credible reason to believe that short and long term health problems will continue to develop while we live in Quarto. Possible long-term health issues include, but are not limited to: cancer, respiratory issues, possible reproductive problems, and possible autoimmune disorders.

Subj: LT HEIDE AND JENNYMARIE HEIDE’S REQUEST FOR EXCEPTION TO CNIC 7U21024 INTRASTATION MOVE POLICY

7. We do not believe the changing seasons and weather patterns will solve the environmental problems. In the last five months, we have observed that the local weather patterns in the Quarto valley are prone to strong temperature inversions which trap smog and other pollutants close to the ground, exacerbating our health complications.
8. Furthermore, the Housing Office did not properly inform us of the potential for heavy trash burning in Quarto. Upon move-in, we were given no information from Housing about the burning frequency in the neighborhood. The house was inspected and approved and not a single comment was made about trash burning in the community. We believe the knowledge of trash burning is a significant factor to consider before moving to an area. Had we known about the problem, we would not have elected to move to Quarto.
9. Additionally, we were unable to occupy our home from 04 JAN to 08 JAN due to burning trash, roadblocks, and protestors in the area. The protestors, roadblocks, and social instability in Quarto pose a significant force protection concern for us. Per refs (o) and (p), we have limited information on social volatility. As of 14 JAN, the roads to our home are open. However, we cannot accurately predict when protesting will resume, and, therefore, cannot properly gauge the safety and access of our home. The public unrest in Quarto is due to the contested Pianura Landfill (4.5 km from our home) and is likely to continue until a resolution can be achieved. Until resolution, force protection in Quarto is an issue we must take seriously.
10. Not being able to get home or breathe clearly significantly affects our ability to be productive workers and creates large amounts of indirect job stress. Per ref (m), stress is the number one cause of illness, sick days and lost worker productivity. Continuing to live in Quarto, a primary node for protestors, causes significant stress for us and prevents us from doing our jobs properly. We do not wish to negatively affect our productivity levels by unnecessary stress and plan on moving to a new Naples location.
11. We have met with the Housing Office five days this week in search of a new home. We will continue working through the Housing Office to find suitable living quarters, and request a government-assisted move.


N.J. HEIDE JM.G. HEIDE


Enjoy the reading!

-Nate

La Realizzazione dei Sogni

Cari Famiglia ed Amici,

Today's post is one of exquisite speciality! We are dedicating this entry to my dear sister, Holly Carsten, whom very recently realized her dreams (La Realizzazione dei Sogni) by earning entry into the very prestigious, especially difficult school, Boston University.

Not only did she earn entry into Boston Uiversity, but she also finished four AP classes, scoring 3 or above on all the tests (including a 5 on Literature--a woman after my own heart!) which earns her advanced standing as a College Freshman.

She's also earned the honor of the Salutatorian designation at Forsythe High School and will be giving a speech on graduation commencement day.

Could one lady possibly do more? Yes, she could, and she did.

Holly also lead her Volleyball team for four years in all capacities, culminating in Volleyball Team Captain for Varsity.

Additionally, she's kept up her Jazz Dancing, which is absolutely marvelous! What a Renaissance Woman--C'e' una Bella Bravissima! (What a beautiful, brilliant Lady!)

Auguri, Auguri, Auguri alla Holly!
(Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations to Holly!)


Jenny and I are so very proud of Holly, sometimes it's difficult to express in words. While all her achievements are marvelous in their own right, the aspect that I find the most inspiring is this: Her acceptance at Boston University. Holly set her mind to earning entry into Boston University long before she started High School. During her four studious years, she held on to the goal of earning entry and, then, accomplished it! She realized her dreams with grace, style, integrity, and dignity. Pure inspiration is often difficult to uncover and grasp, yet here--in our very family--we need look no further than a young woman, our very own sister, whom has shown us what pure inspiration truly is: the Realization of Dreams.

Again, Congratulations to Holly!

Veramente, Li Ispirate ed Ti Amiamo Caro!

-Nate and Jen