Lecture & workshops by Grandmaster Dan-Horia Chinda
By Norma Sanchez January 25, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Lectures
Grandmaster Dan-Horia Chinda
Jan 28 & Feb 1, 10:30am
Sala Quetzal
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
Free admission

Dr. Dan-Horia Chinda’s journey from living in Communist-controlled Romania to his current home in San Miguel de Allende is the story of a man dedicated to his family, his profession, his love of the martial arts and most of all his dream of living in Mexico.

Master Chinda’s lecture series at the Biblioteca Pública includes “Harmony through Chi kung and Tai Chi Chuan,” on January 28, and “Tranquility through the art of Bonsai and Zen Garden” on February 1.

Shihan Chinda holds a seventh degree in Shotokan Karate-Do as well as in Jiu Jitsu, second degree black belt in Aikido, first degree black belt in Judo and Wado-Ryu Karate. When these classes are over, he will put on his equipment and teach eager students the ancient art of Japanese swordsmanship known as Kendo, in which he holds a second degree black belt.

Chinda explains his theory about the balance between martial arts and creative art. “I’m an artist as well as a designer. I approach this mind and body relationship not just as a martial arts fighting technique. It is all very spiritual to me. A good balance between mind and body always strives for creative development.”

Dr. Dan-Horia Chinda came to San Miguel in December of 2006 on a tourist trip and fell in love with its charm, colors and diversity. He decided to make the town his new home.

Upon arriving in Mexico, he saw the need to open a branch of his Institute for Mind, Body and Spirit Development, located at the Rancho Los Labradores, which included his old love of the art of bonsai. The Chinda Institute International for Mind, Body and Spirit Development is focused on developing the Yin as well as the Yang energy. The Yin represents relaxation, various forms of meditation, Chi cultivation and methods of self healing. The Yang exercises traditional forms of Martial Arts, cultivating the body power, strength and endurance, to achieve self-control, determination and serenity.

Dr. Chinda has started martial arts schools the in three different countries— Romania, Germany, and the United States. His skill and dedication to martial arts was recognized in 2000 when he was inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame, as a Grandmaster.

“It was a great honor and I was very proud. I got the lifetime achievement award at the same time Chuck Norris got the golden lifetime achievement award,” said Dr. Chinda.

Norma Sanchez is a reiki master, physical therapist and publicist at Rancho los Labradores.

The most advanced of all ancient civilizations

Lecture Series
The Magnificent Maya: Part I
Wed, Jan 30, 3pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos

The Maya inhabited southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and the western boundaries of Honduras and El Salvador. They built cities and paved roadways, although they used no wheeled vehicles of any kind. Their astronomers plotted the movements of the visible planets and stars using a mathematics that included zero, a rare accomplishment in world history. They were the only people of the New World to develop a complete written language that could express in writing, anything spoken. They made books that combined illustrations and glyphs.

The magnificent Maya are the subject of a lecture that will focus on architecture and art, the Bonampak murals and Maya mathematics. Retired Professor of Humanities, Guillermo Méndez is the lecturer.

The Condor and the Eagle Prophecy
By Maria Teresa Valenzuela


Lecture
The Condor and the Eagle
Maria Teresa Valenzuela
Thurs, Jan 31, 5pm
Warren Hardy Spanish School
San Rafael 6 (across from San Juan de Dios Church)
154-4017 or 152-4728
50 pesos

We have being waiting for 500 years. The First and Second Sun Prophecy of the Condor and the Eagle, of the Q’eros of Peru, says they will fly again, in this age, wing to wing, to awaken the earth and all its inhabitants. The Eagle of the North cannot be free without the Condor of the South.

The Q’eros, the last 600 individuals of the Inca tribe, have believed a sacred prophecy of great change or pachacuti, in which the world would be turned right-side-up, harmony and order would be restored, chaos and disorder ended. The last pachacuti occurred 500 years ago when the Spaniards conquered the Incas.

According to ancient prophecy of the Q’eros, this is the time of the great gathering called the mastay integrating peoples from the four directions. They believe munay (love and compassion) will be the guiding force of this great gathering. The prophecy contends that North America will supply the physical strength or body; Europe will supply the mental aspect, or head; and the heart will be supplied by South America.

The reuniting of Condor and Eagle signals the end of separation and conflict and the beginning of healing, reconciliation and empowerment of the planet. The Second Inca Prophecy for the “Time to Come”: humanity needs to come together as brothers and sisters under Father Sun, living in harmony and balance with each other and all our relations around the Pacha Mama. The prophecies are optimistic.

In this talk, Maria Teresa will explain the First and Second Sun Prophecy of the Condor and the Eagle, explain these chaotic times, and discuss possible solutions on behalf of an Indigenous Elder voice.

Maria Teresa is an indigenous healer-teacher in Mexico. She travels to the US, Mexico and South America on behalf of the Indigenous Elder voice to talk of the prophecy and the times in which we are living. She can be reached at laikaraiya@yahoo.com. 

Impeachment now?
By Cliff DuRand

Impeachment Forum
Center for Global Justice
Wed, Jan 30, 10:30am
Sala Quetzal
Biblioteca Pública
50 pesos

Even though the Bush-Cheney administration has less than one year to go, there is growing momentum for their impeachment. At the grassroots level, nearly 100 US cities have called for impeachment. Brattleboro, Vermont is even considering ordering the sheriff to arrest Bush for war crimes if he ever sets foot in that city. (Vermont, where 61 percent favor impeachment, is the one state he has never dared visit.)

With national polls showing 45 percent of Americans favoring impeachment of Bush and 54 percent for impeaching Cheney, national political figures are joining the chorus. Even though the Democratic leadership continues to say impeachment is “off the table,” Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) has introduced an impeachment resolution in the House, which has been referred to the Judiciary Committee. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) has added his support and called for hearings. Earlier this month former Senator and presidential candidate George McGovern called for impeachment of Bush, even though he had refrained from such drastic action against President Nixon after Watergate.

The charges against Bush and Cheney are much more serious than covering up a bungled burglary or a sexual peccadillo. Lying to draw the country into a war of choice, ordering illegal, warrantless wiretaps on citizens, torture, usurping the legislative function, willfully violating the law and brazenly refusing to execute other laws not to their liking—this is a short list of charges that rise to the level of “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Shouldn’t there be Congressional hearings to at least determine if there are sufficient grounds to indict (impeach) the accused?

Here in San Miguel sentiment ran strongly for impeachment in an open forum held last October by the local Democrats Abroad. In an audience of 130 people, no one challenged the salience of the charges. Now, with snowbirds visiting in great numbers, the Center for Global Justice is sponsoring a repeat Impeachment Forum. Cliff DuRand, Georgeann Johnson and Jon Sievert will open the discussion, then others will be invited to join in a frank exchange of ideas open to all points of view.

Cliff DuRand is the research associate at the Center for Global Justice in San Miguel.