Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/3003/-1/133/
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HEARTICALLY YOURS: Oooyeah! Chandler's by Ijahnya Christian
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Choosing Life is the subject of his lecture and slide presentation in Anguilla at the Teachers Resource Centre Auditorium on Wednesday 23rd November 2005 at 8.00 p.m. On that night, African American scholar Wayne B. Chandler will share with Anguillians a rare journey through fields of study encompassing areas that some of us will be hearing about for the first time.
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Ijahnya Christian
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Chandler possesses not just the gift of knowledge but also the gift of simplifying the complexities of history and human choice over millennia to arrive at the crossroads of modern living in the west and how we can choose life in the midst of disastrous possibilities created by how far away we have become from natural relations on and with this planet that sustains us. I am not sure how much ground he will actually be able to cover as Chandler’s work spans the study of African contributions to Indian and Chinese civilizations, to the study and practice of Chinese medicine.
The Chandler lecture is expected to complete the foundation lined out in Dr. Vanus James’ lecture locating Anguilla in the regional economy with advice for enhancing the competitive edge. Digging that foundation and tying the steel were the tasks completed by those who participated in the highly stimulating NBA National Development Conference, powerfully and creatively summed up by Mrs. Chanelle Petty-Barrett. If you mixed the Conference, her summation captured the essence. The pouring of that foundation is Chandler’s job. After watching a video of one of his lectures this weekend, I sent off email asking about how he could combine the planned Anguilla lecture with other lectures to find, heal and nurture ourselves in the process. I do not think the Brother will mind if I share with you a fragment of his response below to give a brief glimpse of what is in store. He says:
“…I would love to begin a several part series in your community which will begin by exploring the importance of physical, mental, and spiritual health. I feel Choosing Life would be ideal because it begins by creating a strong foundation in our learning process. Too often we want to be super natural before we are even natural...putting the cart before the horse as the elders used to say.
There will be very powerful info in this presentation...more than enough for sisters and brothers to digest and ponder on for quite awhile - let alone find ways to actually incorporate these things into their life.”
Described in the Tehutionline website as an anthrophotojournalist, “Chandler has delved deeply into the Chinese systems of chi gong energy enhancement as it pertains to vitality, longevity, and physical/mental regeneration (organic alchemy)…” and is “currently pursuing certification in medical chi gong from the world renowned chi gong master Liang Shou-Yu.” He is already a certified practitioner in Tui Na, one of the four pillars of Chinese medical science. “Wayne’s overall goal is to blend history, science, philosophy, and energy practice into one powerful healing modality that will lend itself to aid in personal transformation.”
The site provides further biographical notes placing Mr. Chandler as a guest lecturer at the University of the District of Columbia from 1982 to 1986 and from 1985 and 1995 as a regular contributor and co-author of the Journal of African Civilizations (JAC), a series of books produced annually, edited by the esteemed professor Ivan Van Sertima and published by Rutgers University. A board member of Afriasia, a national organization dedicated to the historical study of the impact and ignition of African and Asian world populations, Wayne B. Chandler designed an alternative curriculum for the National Trust School System and was a consultant via W.A.F. for the Portland Oregon schools in their revision of a multi-cultural curriculum for African-Americans. Mr. Chandler helped implement the Genius Transformation Program, which demonstrated successfully that when under-privileged children are exposed to proper historical information and lifestyle their self-esteem and outlook on life are positively impacted.
The site also reviews Chandler’s book, “Ancient Future”, and in closing, I share an excerpt from Chapter 6. “…The human need to control nature has become warped into a god complex. This is evident in their desire to control weather patterns, natural courses of rivers, the animal species of the world, and the human organism with the use of artificial drugs and devices. The severity of these actions is expressed in various global customs that have pushed humanity to the brink of environmental catastrophe. This collision course is due, in part, to the fact that humans see the Earth as dirt, stone, wood, fire, and water. We push the planet to its limit never thinking that it will defend itself to survive. We do not think of the rainforest as the lungs of the earth that allow the critical exchange of atmospheric gases so that all life may be sustained. Though humankind likes to see itself as Masters of Earth we are to Earth what insects are to us. It is humans who have become the virus to this planet and the planet’s immune system is preparing to defend itself.
Earthquakes and other natural calamities have increased ten-fold over the last twenty- three years. The Hermetists teach that all things are endowed with mind and when we recognize this planet as a composite organism we will see that it too has self-defense and maintenance capabilities. When its equilibrium is destroyed it will fight to regain it.”
The lecture is not an event for only some people. It is for everyone and all are invited to come out, learn, grow and choose life. A contribution will be accepted to support the establishment of the Athlyi Rogers Study Centre.