transpersonal theory in social work - St. Thomas University
transpersonal theory in social work - St. Thomas University
transpersonal theory in social work - St. Thomas University
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
“Please Call Me By My True Names”<br />
Do not say that I’ll depart tomorrow—<br />
even today I am still arriv<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
…<br />
I am the twelve-year-old girl,<br />
refugee on a small boat,<br />
who throws herself <strong>in</strong>to<br />
the ocean<br />
after be<strong>in</strong>g raped by a<br />
sea pirate.<br />
And I am the pirate,<br />
my heart not yet capable<br />
of see<strong>in</strong>g and lov<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
I am a member of the politburo,<br />
with plenty of power <strong>in</strong> my hands.<br />
And I am the man who has to pay his<br />
“debt of blood” to my people<br />
dy<strong>in</strong>g slowly <strong>in</strong> a forced labor camp.<br />
My joy is like Spr<strong>in</strong>g, so warm<br />
it makes flowers bloom all over<br />
the Earth.<br />
My pa<strong>in</strong> is like a river of tears,<br />
so vast it fills the four oceans.<br />
Please call me by my true names,<br />
so I can hear all my cries and<br />
laughter at once,<br />
so I can see that my joy and pa<strong>in</strong><br />
are one.<br />
Please call me by my true names,<br />
so I can wake up<br />
and the door of my heart can be<br />
left open,<br />
the door of compassion.<br />
Nhat Hanh (2005, p. 66-68)
Change language