Dalong (Philip McMaster) is back in Action, and aiming high… as high as the himalayas_\!/
As part of the GLOBAL WAR ON POLLUTION and CLIMATE CHANGE, Philip is traveling to the 3rd Pole – not the cold North Pole or the cold South Pole, but the highest cold place on the planet, the 3rd Pole -surrounded by the biggest populations in the world who are, at the same time, most vulnerable and affected most immediately by pollution and the climate rapidly changing around us.
BACK IN ACTION
In 2014, Philip’s spinal herniated disk was so painful while walking, that he was using a cane to walk, and sometimes a wheelchair to get around. The photo below is from a sports conference presentation he made in mount Huangshan, Anhui province in October of that year. Now, 3 years later, after many months of TCM treatment, he is again walking and often carrying heavy bags in preparation for the next challenge.
SDG CHALLENGE
Starting on Earth Hour March 25th 2017 – Philip will be gathering financial sponsors and physical helpers to carry the www.17PlusONE.com SDGchallenge Banner as high in the mountains of the Himalayas as he can go… ( ideally as far as Everest Base Camp) … toSTOP the GLOFS and bring attention to how we can RECOVER from ILLNESS and Get Back into ACTION facing the the URGENT need to prepare for The inevitable and start ACTING on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals he has been promoting since COP21 in Paris, France.
In an effort to bring attention to EternalSpring.Org and the urgent fundraising needed for Spinal Surgery, when I was asked to speak at the 1st Huangshan Outdoor Awards and QiYun Mountain Hike, I gladly accepted on the understanding that the organizers would do their best to support my efforts and raise some money.
It was quite difficult to get around – because the wheelchair wouldn’t roll easily on the rough ground and gravel, so I used 2 canes. When on stage and at the start and finish line, I just stood on my own. One of the many glaring absences was any consideration or inclusiveness for the disabled as sports enthusiasts and spectators.
I made a short “3 Finger” welcoming speech on the first morning, and then went around amongst the crowds greeting and welcoming people and being interviewed on TV and Radio.
Next I was asked to present an Award at the gala performance, again walking without canes.
Presenting the award for Sports Clothing at the gala awards ceremony
Eternal Spring.org “BACK into ACTION” helping Dalong in the “Spirit Of Bethune”
The many faces of compassion, kindness and strength
题记:今年是白求恩大夫逝世75周年,大龙,一位来自加拿大的独立环保人士,央视白求恩纪录片的扮演者,却因病痛需要我们的帮助,以传承这份珍贵的国际友谊和公益精神。大龙先生也希望借助这次募捐,发起“BACK INTO ACTION” 活动,同时设立一个医疗基金。多余的善款他将用于继续他的公益理想,并帮助更多和他一样的人。国内首家接受并推广数字公益的公益组织”温暖四季”(www.EternalSpring.org)将一起发起这个活动。
If you have not signed up for my private newsletter, ( click here if you want personal news.. it’s FREE) you don’t know any details of what’s happened to me since the Heart Operation last year in 2013.. well, the heart operation was a success, and I only have the highest praise for the top doctors and top hospitals in China.. but in 2014 there is a NEW PROBLEM.
Since November 2013, after our “Spirit Of Bethune” Persimmon Dinner ( www.SpiritOfBethune.com ) it has been a different story, some great moments and some truly horrible ones… a few of which are described below, here on the Warriors Heart Beat.
Skip the ICE BUCKET – the struggle is now to simply walk…
Everyone has heard about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, and the attention it’s bringing to the terrible and debilitating disease of ALS.
Fortunately, there’s NO indication of ALS in my situation, but the degenerative nerve and spinal damage from the struggle during the fire on the famous director’s movie set in December, and the beating described below plus other traumas to my back, legs and body in general – as I relentlessly push ahead with the “Peace Plus One – World Sustainability Project”,Republic Of Conscience, Caring Currency and the Caravan Of Care have all taken a toll on my physical body and spirit.
This summer was the breaking point.
After months of physical therapy since the trauma in December, this summer I have hardly been able to walk.
Standing, sitting, lying down are all painful, making it difficult to sleep, eat, travel, very difficult to move and almost impossible to work at anything for any length of time.
Finally, doctors at Peking 1st University think they have found the cause.
SEE INSIDE MY BODY:
Dr. Li from Peking 1st University Hospital points at spinal and nerve damage.
Resulting in this Diagnosis:
(Please send email request to PhilipMcMaster[a} gmail. com for a copy of the original Diagnosis Certificate )
This year I’m in the same situation as last year’s heart operation… the pressing need to “Pass the Torch” of the World Sustainability Project to younger, healthier, more capable hands – and of course the need to find the money to pay for an operation I don’t have enough money for, and the need to rest and recover in a country where I have many wonderful “friends”, but no family to take care of me.
Some of my wonderful friends made this VIDEO, please watch:
…but it can compensate for non-involvement or lack of compassion
I wasn’t going to write this blog message, because I would rather the pain was out of my mind and behind me, but as it turns out, the costs of living ethically in China and “doing the right thing” are beginning to take its toll on me, financially, physically and mentally.
So instead of bearing all the physical and financial costs myself, I’m letting the people in China who read this message to decide what, if anything, you want to do about it. Help me personally, or contribute to a specific project… the result is the same.. every little bit helps – doing nothing makes it worse, for everyone.
Only have money and no time?Contribute Here: but please CALL ME FIRST – ask for my phone number at PhilipMcMaster {a] gmail. com
Have little money and only time to contribute? Send me a message at with your offer to help develop the World Sustainability Projectand the Republic Of Conscience and a Chinese Kindness Video like the one at the end of these stories..
If these stories inspire you to help with the World Sustainability Project or the Republic Of Conscience enough that you want to contribute to helping people who are doing good things in the worldthrive and not just survive… you can do something here
*UPDATE NOTE:I have removed some photos because people (and media reporters) ARE NOT READING AND UNDERSTANDING THE MEANING OF THE STORIES… yes, they are true, but I write them not to punish anyone, but for you to “look in the mirror” and see if you are Part Of the Problem or Part Of the Solution… I don’t want vengeance, what we need are more citizens of the Republic Of Conscience. Some friends are saying they want to organize a “Pass the Torch” benefit event.. if you want to do something – don’t worry about me – help them grow the World Sustainability Project_\!/
On reflection, the last few weeks have been quite horrible for me in China.
The Losses
The first loss was my faith, innocence and some teeth, plus my naivete about doing what I feel is right and how we treat other humans… and the second loss was the sad fate of a young golden retriever I met and chose to care for after witnessing a dog’s life in China. Are the two connected? related? read on and decide for yourself…
Starting with the second, first.
I never “got” the dogs’ actual Chinese name, so I named him BUDe, inspired by the Bitcoin-related “DOGE” virtual currency and because the name came naturally to our relationship.
People who follow my Weixin met BUDe virtually through photos, but could not have known how much time, care and concern I enjoyed lavishing on him for the simple joy of seeing a wagging tail.
When we first met. he was a totally-out-of-control, crazy jumping up, tugging on the leash, “unintentionally-misbehaving” dog, and then after our short few months together, he became very well behaved indeed.. Walking like a Kennel Club star, learning all the standard commands, heeling, sitting at the curb, coming when called, fetching and retrieving balls and frisbees etc.
BUDe the Chinese Golden Retriever impressed people with his good manners and polite behaviour.
Although BUDe had a little courtyard to run around in and could enter into and lie down in a room with a hard cold floor (often colder than the outside), his living conditions were pretty lonely and desolate except on the occasional visit of his dog friends. No humans played with him except me.
I began to notice the dog as the winter became colder, sleeping outside with no mat, straw or shelter and fed by a caretaker who every morning dutifully gave him those cheap, tasteless white buns.
Witnessing this, I thought of all the dogs I had in Canada over my lifetime, and couldn’t bear to see an animal left alone all day like that on a poor diet. Often the water bowl was frozen over, (meaning he had no water to drink), the “food” was dissolved into an unappetizing white paste, or alternatively, a meal was a bowl of unappetizing, frozen white rice.
Often I would see the same buns a day later, uneaten and the paste untouched. Even the little runt dog friend who roamed freely and squeezed though the gate to play with BUDe never ate the buns or paste. It just remained in the bowl like wall stucco until BUDe was so hungry that I imagine he ate it out of boredom.
So I began to secretly “make” supplemental food – making hot gravy with cooking oil, kibble dog food and eggs, stirred up hot in a Wok and finally mixed in with the crappy white buns to make them edible.
These were “between dinner” treats for BUDe, timed to ensure that the caretaker would not see that someone else was feeding the dog and stop his regular schedule.
A BONE of CONTENTION
Sometimes I’d buy a big leg bone from the butcher for BUDe to chew on.
I’m pretty sure he had never seen, let alone knew what to do with real meat hanging off the bone. Admittedly, delivering it was a bit of a disappointment for me at first, because BUDe didn’t “jump up” with appreciation at my effort to get him such a special treat.
In my mind, I was recalling the joy my dogs always shared when I gave them an AUTHENTIC meat bone, and expected this Chinese born dog to react the same way. But BUDe had never had such a treat given to him before… so he didn’t understand or appreciate what I was doing for him. However, dogs being dogs, Chinese or Canadian – the treats were soon explored, tasted and chewed on.
Non-Possessive
However BUDe’s bones kept mysteriously disappearing. I would look around to find the bones and balls I would buy for him, and the balls would be found, but not the bones. I was “going out of my way” and investing significant effort to find a butcher and get these special bones for him, but I didn’t seem to be getting a return on my investment of time and care.
I missed the image of seeing him happily chewing on the bones and was hoping that at least he was jealously burying the treat I had given him and was saving it for later.
One day after bringing a new treat for BUDe, I saw the little runt dog lifting the bone that was half his size and heading for the exit. On my discovery and yell, he dropped it, and scooted off. I later felt ashamed when I realized that BUDe was happy to share with his little friends, even if it meant he didn’t get to enjoy the gift I had gone to the trouble to provide for him alone. It was my selfish desire to enjoy watching him chew and covet the bone, however BUDe was OK with non-possession and sharing.
TREATS ALL AROUND
I also enjoyed buying bags of supplemental dry dog food, canned dog food, tasty training treats and doggie cookies to put some secret nutrition and fun in a dog’s life. I was spoiling him like an “empty nester”.
I started to get up early to deliver a timely dog supplement, a quick comb, a quick dog escape and return to the compound.
On my daily return an ever-wagging tail would signal clearly BUDe’s excitement at someone returning to care for him.
A longer duration coat-hair-combing-session and tummy scratch was about as good as it gets for a young Golden Retriever.
On weekends BUDe and I would escape to the park and forest (well, a Chinese park forest..) and if “caught” on returning, the caretaker would silently acknowledge (in relief, I guess) that things were back to normal, the dog had not run away or been stolen and he could go back to doing whatever it was he was doing.
In the end, I’m not sure who benefited more from our walks – BUDe or me… but we both became more disciplined… mindfulness for both of us.
DOG WALKS MAN
Typical weekends were spent together on long walks.
BUDe was mostly very well behaved for a dog that had never had any kind of training or even special attention before. The only correction I ever saw directed toward the dog was a raised, threatening hand or broom stick, and the dogs reaction was to cower.. meaning that he had been hit in the past, and misunderstanding and correction for him meant pain.
My philosophy on dog training is different. Threat is the absolute last resort. Treats, rewards and positive reinforcement are 99% of the behavioural conditioning.
“Walking the dog” is a good example. The walk is not for you… it’s for the dog.
It’s not only for you to show off how well controlled and well behaved the dog is, a walk is also for the dog to do “dog” things.. the Dog Centered Mode – his “free time” to sniff, loiter, explore, leave his mark, communicate and goof around the bushes and poles we come across.
It’s also for the master. A walk is a chance to communicate with the companion dog, to learn his interests, idiosyncrasies, and experiment with the best ways of improving the relationship.
BUDe learned quickly how to shift smoothly from “Dog-centered mode” to Master-centered “walk mode”, when I signaled that I wanted to get going, BUDe learned to stay “at heel” and performed like a well-trained, obedient working dog.
Around people, in public, we walked and performed like a well practiced team, showing off that a confident, obedient dog is a happy dog., The dog appeared to be very smart… but in truth it is mostly the intelligence of the master that is reflected in the dog. But when I look around at others with dogs, it sometimes seems to be the other way around.
When we were alone, out of public view, we let loose and goofed around, sometimes playing on the ice in the park – catching the frisbee or a ball … pulling at branches, (but never pull on the leash, BUDe! ).
Testing me, BUDe sometimes ran a distance with the leash in his mouth, turning and testing my level of concern and control, turning and stopping a little farther away each time, finally being coaxed back with firm commands and treats. It was fun, and wonderful to explore the balance between control and freedom, just letting a dog be the naturally free and carefree animal he was.
DISAPPEARED
Then came the first incident of loss, the accident and assault and battery you’ll learn about below. I was away for a few days after that infamous day, and when I returned, BUDe was gone.
GONE
I went to his yard and the little room with the cardboard box shelter I had made for him. The box was stuffed with warm shavings for him to sleep on under a table frame. It was all torn to pieces and chewed up.
The bowls were full of frozen water. No BUDe.
At first I thought his owner had claimed him…
On a Wednesday (of course) I communicated with someone in the know… but she didn’t know, suggesting the dog was moved to another cage somewhere on the property.
Then she sent me a text: “Yes, the dog’s not there. I just called to him, he said the dog legs paralyzed is now in hospital treatment. I’m sorry to hear that.”
“What?”I replied. “Paralyzed??”
The last time I saw BUDe was on a Sunday, I hadn’t been outside the building since the assault… so I didn’t take him for his sacred walk that weekend,
I wasn’t in a very healthy state of mind… BUDe knew it, maybe he felt it. Maybe his legs absorbed my pain.
However it happened, he fell ill, was unceremoniously removed in my absence to an “animal hospital” and I’ve never seen him again.
I presume he was euthanized (killed) because the costs of surgery/treatment were probably not worth it to the owner.
Nobody asked me what BUDe was worth, nobody seemed to care that much… and if they had, it didn’t have anything to do with value, and everything to do with money.
Most people don’t know the magic about DOGS, that they absorb your pain, give you joy and love you for free.
Are you interested in helping with your time and skill? Help me create the “HumaneCoin” in the Republic Of Conscience … a Currency of Care in memory of BUDe.
– – – – – – \!/_(^_^)_\!/ – – – – – –
In the land where doing the RIGHT THING is dangerous.
无论你是愿意参与项目付出努力,还是奉献你的爱心捐赠,请大家继续支持世界可持续发展项目( World Sustainability Project ),让我们一起帮助人们学会"生活",而不仅仅是"活着"。
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主人公简介:
Philip McMaster,中文名"大龙",电视记录片白求恩的扮演者,加拿大MBA教授,社会问题研究者,致力于世界可持续发展研究,三指理念创始人,独立环保人士。Philip邮箱:PhilipMcMaster(a]gmail com
In the land where doing the RIGHT THING is dangerous.
A few days before BUDe’s disappearance, I was witness to a road accident.
A young man was hit and smashed through the front window of a car, and I was subsequently attacked and battered by the driver in my attempt to help and “do the right thing”.
In February, on a dark, tree-lined road in the North of Beijing, I was walking along the road and heard the crash of an accident and crunch of glass hitting the ground.
The moment I heard the crash, I started walking quickly toward the sound, and broke into a run when I realized what it was.
As I got closer I saw a man and a woman trying to move a young man in a bright blue ski jacket who was lying on the side of the road.
Seeing the completely smashed-in front windshield, I yelled to them to “wait”, “don’t move him”… thinking that if he had been hit with enough energy that his body smashed the windshield, his neck and spine might be smashed up too.
Evidence of the force of impact was one of his shoes was at least 10 meters further down the road, so the impact must have been sudden and powerful, I imagine knocking his leg like an underhanded catapult, sending his running shoe flying quite a distance down the white line.
But this husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend pair didn’t listen to me, or even slow down their efforts to pick him up and move him.
Initially I thought it was because I was speaking in English, but later realized it wouldn’t have mattered if I were speaking Chinese – this couple had one thing in mind – get this problem out of the way, and ignore me like a bad dream inside their nightmare.
They dragged the young man away from the front right-hand side of their car to the edge of the road and propped him up on his arms.
It was clear he was conscious, he was speaking – but his leg looked bad and his head and hands were bloody.
My concern now was that the boys legs were still sticking out on the road.
Sure enough, the driver got back in his car, straining to look out and around the smashed-in windshield and pulled the car forward, driving through the broken glass on the road and narrowly missing running over the boy’s legs again.
Witnessing this selfish circus of fools enraged me, with nearly everything being done for the convenience and safety of the two able-bodied perpetrators and an almost complete disregard for the safety of the boy they had just hit and injured.
I’m a photographer, so what do you think I did? Of course I took out my mobile phone camera and started to record the scene.
Seeing a bus that had just restarted moving from a nearby stop, I ran forward to halt it in its tracks, thinking: “here’s an agent/employee of the state – a bus driver – someone in a command and control position, concerned with the safety of his vehicle on the public highway, his citizen passengers and those who might be his passengers”.
The bus didn’t run over me, it stopped as it should have, with an impressive accident scene illuminated by broken glass sparkling in front of its headlights.
How naive, how very Canadian of me, to think that this bus driver, piloting this tank of a public service vehicle on a public road would have the courage and responsibility to comprehend my repeated and emphatic requests that he “CALL THE POLICE”.
With my fingers spread from my mouth to my ear symbolizing a telephone, standing on the broken glass, pointing at an evidently injured young man, I remained in front of the bus as long as I could, imploring the driver (or maybe a passenger?) to step up and be a citizen.
The apathetic bus driver looked blankly ahead, avoiding my stare and kept shrugging his shoulders, as if to say… it’s not my problem, what can I do about it?
I realized this was a standoff I wasn’t going to win, and moved around to his open side window with the same plea… but once the foreign Lowai obstacle was out of the way, the bus surged ahead, illuminating the scene of damaged bodies and cars, crunching through the glass as it passed, disappearing into the black night.
By this point I was livid – I could not believe the apathy and insensitivity around me.
As I observed the young woman on the phone with her back to the victim, I was convinced that she was not chatting with the police the whole time, it seemed like instead she was making slightly complicated arrangements, involving a discussion in subdued tones to people she probably knew.
I began to take more photos.
I thought to myself, this injured kid is at the complete mercy of these two people, the driver and the woman on a lonely dark stretch of road. They don’t appear to know each other because of the level of care being displayed… no one outside the accident scene is willing to help or inform the authorities, and I don’t believe that the authorities (Police) have been called by the driver and woman. They are ignoring and not making any effort to understand what I’m trying to help with as a witness.
POOR MEMORY
What can I do? I have a poor memory for things like license plate numbers etc. and nothing to write it down with. The best thing I can do is take photos, and let the authorities sort out the details when everyone is off the road and safe.
All my life I have taken photos when I knew it was “right” to capture what happened, as it was happening.
We may not know the truth behind the circumstances, but we see the results.
With photographic evidence, you can always argue later about the details not included in the photo, but you can’t say the photo doesn’t exist.
if you don’t take the photos at the time, you can’t accurately re-create the scene – those with more power and influence can distort the reality. They can bully, intimidate and dominate any discussion or negotiation.
Photographs give power to the weak and vulnerable.
I’ve been criticized for taking close-up gruesome photos of accidents in the jungles of Belize, I’ve been shot at in Mexico when following stories of armed conflict, I’ve been praised for taking close-up photos of rioters and looters during riots in Montreal, in the same city I’ve been beaten and put in the hospital for taking photos when people in power wanted me to stop. If a couple in China just smashed their car windshield by hitting a boy on a public road, and I am there with a camera, I don’t care what they want – I care about the victim and the consequences if I DON’T take photos!
So I began to snap some more photos of the scene with my phone camera, but the flash was weak, with an annoying delay and very slow.
It was very dark, so I had to get close, and shortly after I crouched down to photograph the license plate of the couple’s unidentified model of car (no make/model logo on the trunk lid) … BAM!
I almost fell down from a blow to the back of my head.
BAM! another blow to my jawbone/cheek from behind.
I staggered up and moved toward the center of the road, pulling my cameraphone out of the grasping reach of the driver..
BAM! BAM! more hits from behind and now he’s pushing me across the road toward the water-filled canal to get rid of me, once and for all.
STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND
As I’m being assaulted on a dark road, the only “mobile” witness with photographic proof, a witness with no family in China, a communication barrier, an unknown location, and glaring examples of not only the drivers’ unwillingness to help, in fact he’s just assaulted me!
My mind quickly runs through the road accident killings and apathy I’ve heard about while living in China…
like the case of 21-year-old Yao Jiaxin, from Xi’an who knocked, Zhang Miao off her bike, and decided to kill her, stabbing her 8 timeswhen he realized she was memorizing his license plate number, and two year old “Yue Yue”, run over by two vehicles in Foshan, squirming and bleeding for 7 minutes while at least 18 passers-by skirted around her little body, ignoring her. Five year old Yan Zhe of Zhejiang “crushed” by a minibus and despite the pleas of his mother, other drivers and passers-by refused to help, contributing to his dying on the way to hospital. The woman in Hangzhou who attempted a drowning suicide while local Chinese bystanders gathered at the edge of the lake to watch, and while a visiting Uruguayan, noticing no one was even trying to help, jumped in and saved the woman.
With my mind generating referenced scenarios that didn’t look promising: stabbed, run over, drowned, etc., and with this short but powerful stranger attacking and grappling me from behind, shoving me toward the water and punching me in the head, I decided to give the guy a strong elbow to somewhere in his chest / abdomen area, to signal that he was not going to get his way, and that I intended to fight back.
The elbow must have surprised him, (or hurt), because he immediately stopped and ran back to his car with his wife/girlfriend, they jumped into their windowless car and sped off.
The young man in the bright blue ski jacket and I were left alone on a dark street in silence.
No accident vehicle, no bus, no police. just the victim, me and a road full of broken glass.
Silence.
I waited with him in the quiet for around 15 or 20 minutes, standing on the road to keep the 2 or 3 cars that passed from running over his legs, and trying to be friendly and comforting without actually communicating much.
I gave him my mobile to call the police or anyone that he wanted. He made some confusing sounding call, and I didn’t think he actually got through to anyone.
To encourage him, and lift his spirits, I showed the photo of the cars’ license plate, he didn’t seem that impressed or focused on it. He didn’t appear to react the importance of what I had captured for him. The license plate number of the car that hit him.
I wondered if his handling of the phone had just been an automatic behaviour without actually accomplishing anything.
I was concerned about his head injuries.
I wanted to write the license plate number down for him and stick it in his pocket, but didn’t have pencil or paper.
A few more minutes passed, then suddenly two cars come “racing” back, out of tempo with normal traffic, occupying both sides of the 2 lane road.
“This does not look good” I said to myself, under my breath.
I thought of my travels around the world, in countries where I don’t speak the language, in conflict zones, favelas and ghettos, where although an outsider, I manage to recognize the environmental and non-verbal signals. Situations where my “sixth sense” has served me well and forewarned me of dangers beyond my knowledge or control.
These two cars behaving in this manner were ringing those alarm bells.
As they approached, I recognized the outlines of the two figures in the car in the wrong lane. I didn’t recognize the two or more bodies in the other car, but their coordinated approach was unnerving.
“They’ve switched cars and they’re coming back with reinforcements”, I thought to myself.
Again I thought, “This does not look good”.
I knew what I had to do, but I didn’t want to admit it.
I held out my hand for the phone.
The young man thanked me and handed the phone back to me bloodstained.
Awkwardly and hesitantly I said “you stay safe and be careful, I’m so sorry, I’ve got to go” and turned to leave the scene as quickly as possible.
No doubt he sensed or saw the cars coming himself, and I’m guessing he knew better than me what fates could possibly befall him in his helpless state.
Guiltily, I looked back as the boy held up his arm and screamed after me Shifu! Shifu!, obviously wanting me to stay with him. “Sorry”, “Sorry” I said.
I felt like a coward.
My prideful mind was saying: “be brave, you can take on this challenge”, “they won’t dare do anything serious to you”, “what kind of a man leaves an injured, defenseless person at the mercy of people like this? coward.” while the other side of my conscience (maybe the reptilian brain) was battling back with: “Live to fight another day”, “be courageous but don’t be stupid”, “the odds are not in your favor”, “you can’t help anyone if you’re dead”.
Anyone who knows how stubborn and persistent I am will understand that all the above options were viable. Should I stay, or do I go?
SUSTAINABILITY TRIAGE
I resorted to asking myself “How am I living in the Spirit Of Bethune if I disregard my own ‘ISR‘ (Individual Social Responsibility) when modeling my behaviour?”What is the sustainable decision? … on what could possibly be a life and death situation, for one or both of us.
I leave him, he’s in danger, I’m safe.
I stay, we’re both in danger.
It’s not easy making life and death decisions, but disaster relief medical teams and emergency room doctors around the world do it all the time. They use an approach called TRIAGE… they’re practical decision-making frameworks designed to prioritize and achieve successful outcomes for the greater good.
In my creation of the World Sustainability Project, one of my driving concerns is that people around the world, and here in China, are making poor life decisions, losing their humanity and connection with the Earth and each other. The Republic Of Conscience, “A Place to Escape For Good” is the antidote – a place to rediscover our moral compass and practice our humanity, co-opting and redirecting our money-seeking materialism, escapism and denial and offering a decision-making refuge and moral base from which to do good.
Bethunology is our interpretation of a moral guide system for world citizens – based on volunteerism, understanding, compassion, competence and Individual Social Responsibility (ISR). Based loosely on the most famous surgeon in the world, Dr. Norman Bethune, Bethunology is inherently in the psyche of close to One Billion people in the world, as presented here at the famous Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) in China.
FOR THE GREATER GOOD
The Bethunology “Sustainability Triage” protocol deals with our personal investment in people and situations, ie- success in moving from being POP (Part Of the Problem) to becoming POS (Part Of the Solution) by deciding where and how you’re going to invest your life energy – answering the question: what is the best ROI3 – Return On (your) Investment in 1. Society, 2. Environment and 3. Economy in any given situation.
Excellent Investment, High ROI3 – Priority Level 1 – In those for whom immediate intervention and care might make a shift from (POP) to (POS) supporting sustainable outcomes.
Good Investment, Normal ROI3 – Priority Level 2– In those who are already (POS) or likely to become sustainable (POS), regardless of what additional information or assistance they receive.
Poor Investment, Low ROI3 – Priority Level 3 – Those who are likely to remain unsustainable (POP), regardless of what care, support and direction they receive.
As I processed the circumstances of the scenario through the Triage model, it was clear that this accident scene was a Priority Level 3 situation, saturated with problems and failures, a clear and demonstrated unwillingness and inability to work together and a refusal to become Part Of the Solution.
Aided by the logic of Sustainability Triage and my intuition, my self-preserving flight response finally won out.
I’m not proud of that, but in practical terms, I’m here to fight another day and support those who are shifting from POP to POS.
IN THE HOSPITAL
The next day at the hospital, the doctor offered to call back the number the boy had called on my phone. It turned out to be the boys’ sister. She was very grateful for my assistance and asked if I would send the photos from my camera to her, especially the image of the license plate, which I did.
I must admit I was slightly disturbed even in the hospital at what the majority of the conversation appeared to be…. about money, and compensation for my injuries! I had to intervene during the call and ask specifically, “what is the condition of the young man who was hit?” that’s what this whole thing is about! … the response was that he was alive and OK – but that he did in fact have some head injury.
Apparently, the driver denied hitting the boy. I can’t say I saw him hit the boy, I only heard the sound and rushed to the scene, witnessing a smashed windscreen and an injured boy amongst broken glass on the road… but I know he hit me, and broke some teeth. I’m still going to physiotherapy many times per week, one of my broken teeth in the lower jaw has finally been repaired, and there are more to be repaired.
I’M GRATEFUL
I’m very grateful and happy with the care and professionalism of the doctors, dentists and assistants at the hospital, but that being said, it’s costing me a lot of money I don’t have, and although grateful, I don’t really want to visit the hospital too much anymore.
I FORGIVE THE DRIVER
In the “Spirit” Of Bethune, who treated innocent civilians, Chinese defenders and Japanese soldiers equally during the Japanese War of Aggression, I forgive the driver who attacked me, as he was just another uncivilized, zombie idiot chasing the “Chinese Dream” of money and material wealth. To attack me, he was surely “out of his mind” – focusing only on himself and calculating how much MONEY the corrupt system might cause him to lose or be obligated to pay as a result of the accident. I’m also grateful that he is an insignificant and common coward, otherwise he might have had the strength and determination to cause me more harm.
However, I don’t forgive the people around him, the people of modern day Chinese culture who influence him and millions of others like him to be “out of their minds” in the worship of money – the mothers and fathers who pressure their children in unhealthy ways, families who compete with their neighbours for bling, but trash and disrespect the commons, the teachers who accept money to betray other students, institutions, officials and cultural leaders that model, encourage or turn a blind eye to immorality, lying, cheating, bribery, selfishness, short cuts, racism, elitism, class distinction, discrimination, social competitiveness, unfairness, resentment, disrespect for nature, the Earth and non-human life in their every attempt to gain more money and material status.
I’ve been trying to live and promote a Lifestyle Of Health, Happiness And Sustainability (LOHHAS) sharing the Secret Of Sustainability with the Chinese people for years. Let’s Forgive and Forget the bad things of the past and present, and put this slow motion train wreck back on the tracks. From now on, let’s get people to take action: SMILE~CHANGE~UNPLUG every Wednesday talk about “How China Saved the World” and make a video.
UPDATE: September 2014
The many months of Physical Therapy is not really improving my condition or ability to walk… it looks like I will need expensive spinal surgery. Watch this video made by some friends to learn about my condition.
Half-way through the 3 month probationary period after my (successful so far) heart operation, it’s time to PARTY_\!/
So here’s a copy of an invitation I’m sending to my friends: ( If you didn’t get an invitation from me personally, please consider this one!
Philip McMaster, 大龙Founder of the Peace Plus One – World Sustainability Project invites you to a “Pre-Opening Party” –
Explorasport Camp-in PARTY
At the Sino Sustainability Center
GREEN HOUSE Reception Hall
Imagine you are going on an urban camping trip in Beijing to experience a Lifestyle Of Health, Happiness And Sustainability (LOHHAS) …
The Explorasport “Camp-in” is a new way to enjoy the fun of camping without the bugs, the rain, making food or dealing with strangers – safe, fun, indoor Camping with friends!
At the Sino Sustainability Center GREEN HOUSE Reception Hall, you can stay as little time, or as long as you want, enjoying the Dragon Family Day Camp in the afternoon with your family, setting up your tent for an evening of healthy fun, contributing healthy food to a BYO Organic Dinner , participating in the Theme Party, and even enjoying an exciting, romantic experience of sleeping over night in a tent if you want!
Why Are We Doing This?
First, It is an excuse for my belated Birthday Party, and friend Dan Finn’s 10 year anniversary in China..
But why are we really doing this? To raise awareness, interest, commitment and money in support of the Peace Plus One – World Sustainability Project, the Sino Sustainability Center and the ongoing project of the founder, Philip McMaster 大龙, www.WarriorsHeartBeat.com
What YOU can Do…
Contribute your POSITIVE energy and attitude to the World Sustainability Project and the SSC Green House. We ask you to contribute one or more of the following:
– a “Legacy Tree” (or bush) to plant inside the GREEN HOUSE – it becomes your permanent contribution to the SSC.
– your “Performance” in the Talent Show, Demonstration or Pageant to entertain us all.
– a financial contribution at the door or by Alipay to support the project.
From 2:00-4:00 Saturday
Entrance Fee: A small tree or bush to plant inside the building
Dragon Family Day Camp 2:00-4:00 Saturday
Explorasport “Camp-in” – Relaxed Family Fun..Saturday Afternoon
The “family” part of the party will happen on Saturday afternoon, with tree planting, take 3 Finger Photos, play ping pong, chatting in English etc.
Instructions: From 2:00pm to 4:00pm – Bring a small tree or bush to plant inside the building, put your name on it and help it grow! Take photos, play ping pong, have tea.
Entrance Fee: A small tree or bush to plant inside the building
(Drinks available inside the building at the Sust10 Cafe Tea House and the Green Panda Bar)
In the early evening we’ll have a BYO (Bring Your Own) “Organic” food feast – the cooks in the kitchen will cook your food for a small fee, and we’ll share with everyone as a “pot-luck” feast.
(Drinks available inside the building at the Sust10 Cafe Tea House and the Green Panda Bar)
“ROAST, TOAST & ENTERTAIN” 7:00pm -10:00
During and after dinner, we’ll have a “roast” of the hosts, and a talent show – maybe some dancing friends will show up, and hopefully also some Kung Fu / Taiji demos.. we’ll have some fun encouraging people to participate in the “3 Beauties” Pageant (Models of Sustainability – Beautiful on the Outside, Beautiful on the Inside and Beautiful in the Community)
The idea with this first party is to “go with the flow” , “create it as we go” and see what happens in our new Sino Sustainability Center / GREEN HOUSE.
“Camp-in” all day… and all night
We also have indoor camping spots and private base camps… so people who want to reserve a tent before attending or bring your own tent… they can try camping in the afternoon, during the evening, and even over Saturday night!
Looking forward to seeing you at the Pre-Opening Explorasport Camp-in PARTY
At the Sino Sustainability Center GREEN HOUSE Reception Hall
Cheers,
大龙Philip
P.S. You are welcome to tell your friends about this special private party.. if they would like to come, please ask them to send me an email with their name in Pinyin, phone number, and preferences:
(a)- a BYO “Organic” dinner
(b)- unplugged Talent Show
(c)- Blender Party
(d)- 3 Way Beauty Pageant
(e)- Dance / Taiji / KungFu demonstration
(f)- Indoor Tree planting
(g)- “indoor” CAMPING IN A TENT over Saturday night to Sunday (bring your own or
reserve a “base camp” and tent before Friday…)
SUCCESS_\!/ I’m ready for Phase 2 of our Sustainability campaign.
FIRST, I want to express a HEART-FELT Thank-You to everyone who supported my medical situation these past few weeks… you truly have a “Warriors Heart”.
THE FIRST OPERATION WAS A SUCCESS…
Here’s the 3D version of my heart and it’s problems, when I had my heart operation last week on 3 Finger Wednesday, July 3rd 2013 – these are the actual images from the Peking University First Hospital computer (I added the “WarriorsHeartBeat.com” for reference) the short 3D modeling video sequence is here:
(A more detailed explanation of the operation is here.)
“Repaired-in-China”
In the first operation, my heart was Successfully “Repaired-in-China” at the Peking University First Hospital thanks to Drs. Ding, Kang & Zhou and supported by the many other doctors, nurses, orderlies and friendly staff_\!/
Although we’ll have to wait 3 months to know if the first operation was a complete success.. ( there is the possibility that I might require additional operations after the testing and evaluation period)… so, therefore the medical expenses fundraising for the Warriors Heart Beat will continue.. But OFFICIALLY, we begin PHASE 2 – Find, train and develop young people to pick up the Torch of Sustainability..
SO LET’S PARTY, PICK UP & PASS THE TORCH_\!/
This 3 Finger Wednesday, July 10,
I THANK YOU WONDERFUL DONORS as we celebrate my medical recovery & launch the “Pick Up & Pass the Torch”Phase of the www.WarriorsHeartBeat.com Campaign in support of the Peace Plus One-World Sustainability Project. We’ll meet for a 3 Finger Meal at a Vegetarian Restaurant in Beijing.
If you didn’t get an invitation to the party yet, go here_\!/
REMEMBER: Be Successful … Be Part of the Solution … SMILE~CHANGE~UNPLUG every Wednesday_\!/
for those who missed or mis-read what was going on… I was in
If you have pledged money but have not yet transferred it, Please do it now!
I was a bit surprised when the hospital just asked me to pay a substantial deposit BEFORE the operation – clearly, there still isn’t enough money in the bank account even for the requested DEPOSIT!
If you indicated you were going to transfer money, if you are on the list of donors (Donors & SustANGELS) please make sure the transfer was successful, and PLEASE let me know by email that you sent it.
If you have been thinking of helping, NOW IS THE TIME,
Along with various tests and injections starting at 5:00am this morning, I met Dr. Ding, the “Star” Surgeon who will do the heart operation tomorrow morning (3 Finger Wednesday) at 10:00am.
I hope by the end of business today, there is not a “money” problem to pay the doctors and hospital.. THAT would be upsetting!
If You Care, Contribute Any Amount, and Contribute Now_\!/
I arrived at the gates of “Beida” or Peking University First Hospital this morning, July 1st. 2013. One of the best hospitals in China, on the outside Beida looks the same as many others – traffic, confusion, noise and the usual chaos… But once inside, it is not crowded, very modern and all connections, admissions and settling in were smooth. The only thing is.. Nothing is provided with the (expensive) room, not even soap or toilet paper!
FAMILY FRIENDLY
Food is also problematic – I learned the hungry way that Chinese families do all the “looking after” of patients in Chinese hospitals, so without family, I’m apparently “on my own” in my 12x more expensive, foodless and TPless room!
(Although in fairness, I did manage to buy a 150RMB food “card” that got me a rice and mystery meat dinner).
So please don’t forget me here… I thought I just needed to keep raising money for the operations, but now it seems I might also require food and supplies!
Thanks again for you generous support – although I’m here alone, I feel the unity of the world and our common mission toward sustainability keeping me alive_\!/
Please check out the HOSPITAL UPDATE 1 Video below \!/
Philip McMaster, founder of the Peace Plus One – World Sustainability Project thanks supporters for their care and generosity.
I want people to understand that the Warriors Heart Beat Campaign is about “Passing the Torch” and a new generation “Picking Up the Torch” to live a Lifestyle Of Health, Happiness And Sustainability (LOHHAS), in China, and to develop and share that lifestyle and philosophy with the World.
My short-term medical expenses are not my major concern. I’m concerned about the next generation and generations after that. The Peace Plus One – World Sustainability Project is about making an attractive, prosperous lifestyle for everyone on Earth that decides to become Part Of the Solution_\!/
If you do decide to contribute and support the project and people who are working hard to make the world a better place, please use