FREEDOM for TIBET!!!! (Some of us DO still care)

There is an August 31-October 8/September-October 15 Fast and Prayer event running for the cause of FREEDOM FOR TIBET.

I personally did not feel able to last the entire length but have 'signed on' to run in 'partial-fast and intensive prayer' mode from September 30-October 15. During this period, I will have no more than 2 hot cuppas & 1 alcoholic beverage per day, eat only one small main meal and fruit/fruit juice, and, on days when I do not have sinus problems, I will participate in extra Tonglen practice directed towards both Tibet and The Dalai Lama.I will also be on a purely liquid-only fast Friday's.

This will mean NO third/fourth cuppas, NO extra alcohol on Friday/weekends, NO snacks, NO desserts other than fruit, and NO 3-course dinners!!!! It will also mean lessening the amount consumed in the main meal, and extra Tonglen effort. (I am a beginner, with sincere intention but limited ability, at this stage.)

*************

Our local media has not taken much notice of the situation in Tibet - perhaps it is owned by/scared of the Chinese government? I have written several letters to the editors/letters page - all ignored. Nobody LOCAL seems to care!

After totally ignoring CFT and other peaceful demonstration events, one local newspaper finally touched on the subject by reporting a single event - neither a demonstration nor helpful towards solving the problem - of a movie screening and meal.

IF I chose to pay over $20, and IF I chose to travel out of my locality to a nearby district, and IF I chose to attend at an inconvenient time (I would normally be asleep at this hour and not want to eat at such a time), I could watch a couple of Tibet-focused movies and eat a Tibetan-themed meal.

I prefer to join in with events that actually assist Tibet, than waste my time changing my lifestyle to waste money and make no difference. I am not saying the posted event is pointless, merely that other than bringing Tibet into the eyes of those with little knowledge, it does not seem to offer any help to the actual situation.

I am involved in 3-4 online groups that are actively trying to solve this problem and help Tibet regain its long overdue freedom. I shall continue to sign petitions, light a candle on the 7th of each month at 9pm, and participate in fasts, prayers, and other events that WILL offer a little assistance, if not much.

***************

Anyone interested in checking out the updated event can do so at :http://candle4tibet.ning.com/events/event/show?id=2154241:Event:113404