This is your chance to get to the Snowmass Cross-Country Center for an X-C ski or snowshoe by the light of a beautiful Colorado moon.
Post blogger Amanda Boxtel, co-founder of Challenge Aspen, returns to the valley after her second trip to Delhi, India, for experimental embryonic stem-cell therapy. "Human Embryonic Stem Cells are alive and growing in my body," she blogs from afar, "infusing me with life and awakening my legs. As I near the end of my second treatment at Nutech Mediworld, I continue to regain strength. I have three days before I board my flight bound for the US. This time around, I am discovering that my body is so much more sensitive to the treatment, and I am more in tune with my bodily sensations."
During her second trip to India for experimental embryonic stem-cell research, Amanda Boxtel sees miracles everywhere she turns. "What is a miracle?" she blogs from Delhi. "Is it something that is scientifically impossible or an act of Divine intervention? I see a miracle as faith realized when I pay reverence for the grace God has given me. Peace enters my soul. At Dr. Geeta Shroff’s hospital, I continue to witness miracles taking place regularly. Mike Chan, an incomplete quadriplegic who was wheelchair bound last summer, returned to India from Hong Kong walking! When I met Mike in July last year, he could barely lift his torso with his arms and hands pressing down on his wheels. These past few weeks, I saw Mike walk without calipers, standing over six feet tall with a grin from ear to ear. Yes, Mike Chan is WALKING."
Posts filed under 'Spirituality'
As hard as it might be for some of you to believe, I am awake and typing away on my computer at 5:30 am. I have a fresh cup o’ Peet’s French Roast by my side, a candle burns casting a soft golden glow on my keyboard, jasmine incense fill the air, and as much as I’d like to describe a lovely pink hue on the horizon, Delhi is displaying its best gray! Upon a second look, there are different shades of gray, and if I really use my imagination with my watercolorist’s eye, there might even be a touch of lavender here and there. If my memory serves me correctly, Delhi can actually produce some quite spectacular sunrises and sunsets because (yes, you guessed it) smog has the propensity to bring out gorgeous dusty oranges and crimson reds (but not this morning!).
Continue Reading May 6th, 2008
Human Embryonic Stem Cells are alive and growing in my body, infusing me with life and awakening my legs. As I near the end of my second treatment at Nutech Mediworld, I continue to regain strength. I have three days before I board my flight bound for the US. This time around, I am discovering that my body is so much more sensitive to the treatment, and I am more in tune with my bodily sensations.
Continue Reading February 19th, 2008
Mum, I will promise to stick to my chosen path and proceed with the strength you and the Universe have bequeathed upon me…I will aspire to walk for you and for me. That is my goal. That is my dream. I will keep the faith, meditate, pray, and fill my being with light and courage. I will chant “Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo…Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo…Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo…Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo” as you chant in unison from across the oceans. The Lion King of Sutras–The Lotus Sutra—will help us remain in the ever present now, satiating our souls with love, compassion, and good karma from our mystical univer se. Believe Mum, as I will hold the belief that anything is possible. I am healing. I am creating every moment right now. My future is now. I try to move forward without expectation. I am not attached to an outcome and I accept my body as it is—right now! While I have physical imperfections, I believe I am perfect as I am. This is my path. Perfection is ever expanding. I embody perfection. Perfection is growing every moment through me and is a dynamic state of being. It is not an end. I will tap into my higher potential—my God Self—knowing that I am capable of achieving more, and visualizing every pure embryonic cell gestating from a perfect state manifesting the Divine throughout my physical body. Mum, hold this belief as I do. I am changed. Through this journey I have matured. I am wiser. I am Amanda.
Continue Reading February 12th, 2008
First Chair, of course, means you are the first person on the lift, the first civilian up the mountain on a given day. That seemed like a great idea but it had never happened to me in my lifetime for all the usual lessons. But all that changed for me last weekend in Snowmass. The fates had conspired to get me to the mountain early, with time for coffee at Paradise before I put on my boots.
Continue Reading January 11th, 2008
As I prepare to leave for my second visit to India I rack my brain trying to think of essentials that I might need to make life as uncomplicated as possible. Delhi is challenging to say the least. Oddly, my first thought was: Indian panty liners don’t stick and inevitably end up in a wad in my undies. No.1. on my list: Panty Liners. No. 2. Charmin Ultra Soft & Most Absorbent toilet paper. No.3. Backpacker’s Pantry Outdoor Gourmet Food – just add hot water (10 packets). No. 4. Wild Caught Smoked Sockeye Salmon for a decadent moment. No. 5. Udi’s Natural Artisan Granola. No. 6. Peet’s French Roast Coffee. No. 7. French Press and mug. No. 8. Peeler (I remember the rule to fight the dreaded Delhi Belly: If I can’t peel it or boil it, don’t eat it!). No. 9. Small paring knife. No.10. Hand sanitizer. And the list goes on… In fact, it seems that I will have one suitcase reserved for food and products to make life less tricky.
Continue Reading January 7th, 2008
Aspen, CO … Compassion and creativity collide on December 5 as an innovative, cross-cultural program of the Aspen Writers’ Foundation (AWF) and Anderson Ranch Arts Center (ARAC) makes its debut. The program, known as Story Swap, uses storytelling, creative writing and the visual arts to generate understanding between native and non-native English speakers at the high school level. The work of approximately 40 Basalt High School students will be featured in a gallery exhibition and presentation at 5 pm at the Red Brick Center for the Arts in Aspen . The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Continue Reading November 20th, 2007
“Yes Dr. Ashish. Deal! I’ll move my right hamstring, I promise!” I made this statement with complete confidence…and in front of Dale, with both of our eyes focused on my lower right leg as I lay on my side isolating my upper body and hip flexors; I moved my right hamstring on command! My leg and foot moved backwards from the knee down. The movement was slight (an inch or two is all) but it was there. I then sat up with glee and said, “Let me try my toes.”
Continue Reading August 22nd, 2007
Although I am not sure how to tactfully convey my ground breaking news to the world, I shall resort to the simple facts…I had my first bowel movement on my own in fifteen years last night. Yippee! I have also emptied my bladder completely on my own four times since yesterday with only a small residual of fluid left (which is normal). Now, Gab is a true friend. It was so funny I must share at least some of the facts.
Continue Reading July 29th, 2007
OLD SNOWMASS, COLORADO–I’ve been to heaven. You should have seen it.
On the final day of a three-day Aspen Institute Symposium on Forgiveness or Revenge we all went out to Old Snowmass to see how the other half lives—the fathers and brothers who live with God on a daily basis. Father William Meninger, an expert on forgiveness and all matters of living, was our guide, but we also met Brother William, Brother Todd, and Father Joseph, the abbot or bossman of the monastery.
My entrance to heaven was not smooth: my car got stuck in the snow, and it took Brother Charles, in plainclothes and with a four-wheel drive rig, to yank me out as the members of the class tried to make me feel better as they drove by.
Continue Reading February 9th, 2007