Dining Salas, Mermaids & Apsaras, Surf & Star Wars
16.01.2011
Saw Wa De Kop, to all our friends and family back home. My time here is growing to a close and it has been a mad scramble to photograph and document everything that has been going on. So much to tell you all about, but while I am here, my time to provide play-by-play blog entries has been limited. I will get one more up after this and before I get home to tell you about the dining sala dedication by the three of us and the kids of the CDPC village. But first, a few highlights of the last few days.
On Saturday, we went with the kids to the beach. This is one Pam and Ashley and the kids had been to before but I had not. It was near a Royal Thai Naval base and the water, sand and scenery were dramatic. A wonderful warm day with gentle breezes to let the soul know that all that is seen here is not the only divine presence. Pam, Ashley and I got a nice workout tossing the kids into the surf with laughter and pleads for “just one more time.”
With a few moments to myself, I walked along the beach and saw some beautiful figures in silhouette rising from a rocky peninsula of land jutting out against the azure blue sky and turquoise blue water. Several Thai and Buddhist deities were cast in metal, eternally looking out upon the sea. Some women where there adorning some of them with beautiful, colored silk. One of the figures was a mermaid sitting next to a figure in lotus pose playing some sort of music instrument. 
Perhaps to warn sailors of the treacherous mermaids, who use their beauty to seduce sailors to their death. Perhaps he was playing sounds of seduction to draw them in closer to the mermaids. Either way, it was a reminder to me that we all can be taken in by false beauty in this world. We see every day here the results of people who’s flaws and wounds are shamelessly exploited to their ruin. But we also see the kindness and inner flame of love and peace that is unquenchable even by the darkest intentions and great power.
At the CPDC village, we all have encountered moments of such pure joy. It inspires us to do more. When I sit in the old dining sala and watch the evening meal prepared, it is now in the welcoming shade of the new dining sala, nearing completion. The new building is eager to be blessed by the nourishment it can help provide the children as well as receive the food and drinks for its own soul in the fellowship and love that is expressed under its sheltering eaves.
Regrettably, some fabrication timing setbacks have occurred that won’t allow the dining sala to be fully operational for just a bit longer. But Pam, Ashley and I are going to provide it with our personal blessing with the kids and have them enjoy the interior for the first time. We will fill you in on it with the next blog entry.
But the building itself sits proud and awaiting an ornament upon the crown of the front roof that will be our blessing to it. It is a surprise for you all, made by some local craftsman and a local artist, who I fully believe was cut from the same cloth as Frank Lloyd Wright and Marion Mahony.
Pam and Ashley are staying in a space I can not accurately describe. It was created by a Thai woman named Meena, a dear friend of Ashley and Pam’s who’s ability to create intimate, wonderful spaces defies ANY ability to convey. I was asked not to take pictures there because of the designs and such had not been legally protected yet. Once I saw the spaces, I would not have attempted to diminish their significance by photographing it anyway. No poet’s words, no painters brushes, no photographer’s lens could describe it. It is the most beautiful and spiritual space I have ever been in. And those of you how know me and know the Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie style house I helped restore know that is saying a lot. This holy spaces deserve nothing less that authentic and total representation. This is so, as they are crystal clear embodiment of this architect’s soul and heart. Heather and I along with Pam and Ashley enjoyed a wonderful meal with this extraordinary woman and her extraordinary family and friends who bring the invisible world of their hearts to life. I didn’t want the evening to end. What amazing souls I have encountered here. But I think I know why Meena is such a conduit for divine inspiration.
In the Thai creation story, men and mythical demons (who were allies at first) were engaged in a great tug of war using a giant serpent as their rope. The churning of the waters created the world and everything in it. One of the other products of the churning was the Apsaras. In the Western culture, we would call them angles. They are divine beings who posses loving kindness and freedom of spirit. They occasionally visit their beloved mortals on Earth and appear and beautiful women who watch over us with the incorruptible love and kindness and are a creative source of light to the world and all who encounter them. I was honored to be in the presence of one, to enjoy a meal with her and bask in the glow of her loving family and friends, and to hear her explain her heart’s drive to make such beautiful spaces and places for us to know how worthy we are of love and peace.
She and her craftsman have made many things for our dining sala. But something special will be installed tomorrow. With such a blessing upon the dining sala, it will be able to receive the charge we have built it for. To feed, nourish and give peace to the bodies and souls of all who enjoy its shelter.
As the days go on and we continue our fellowship with the kids, we enjoy some light-hearted moments when the simple pleasures can be cherished. Pam and Ashley each have an Apple iPad that the kids have a great time playing games on. When the kids saw I had an iPhone, I practically got it confiscated to know what games I had with it. I let the kids take several turns playing games that they picked up immediately. When it was time to do chores and other scheduled work, it was so difficult to tear themselves away. But who can blame them. When you have the power to save the universe from the evil Sith empire by flying your X-wing fighter through the trench of the death star to hit an exhaust port that’s only two meters wide, how can you tear yourself away to sweep dirt from the floor?
Thank you for following along with us all. We have so much more to do and to tell you about here. Pam and Ashley remain here as I head home soon. But I will have much more to tell you about here with stories, pictures and video, including our big spread on the dining sala dedication and ribbon cutting. Be well. Blessings of peace to you all.
thanks you so much for the updates and photos. Love to all of you.
We cannnot thank 3L Foundation enough for the great love you have shown towards the well being of our children at CPDC. Your dedication and devotion towards children’s welfare are truly appreciated by all of us at HHNFT/CPDC.
We hope our efforts will be strengthening for the benefit of these less fortunate children for the long time to come.
With gratitude on behalf of the children, Toy