Peace and a pot

Rothko Chapel issues a meditation challenge, with prizes on the line

The Rothko Chapel, dedicated in 1971, is a sacred space that foster interfaithdialogue and understanding.
Hickey Robertson
Barnett Newman’s "Broken Obelisk" will be dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr.,as part of the Rothko Chapel's 40th anniversary activities.
In Dominique de Menil's own words: "It is a place where a great artist, turnedtowards the Absolute, had the courage to paint almost nothing — and did itmasterfully. It is a place blessed by the many people who gather there tomeditate, to find themselves and to go beyond themselves. It is a place that wassolemnly dedicated to love, to God, to the absolute truth you are after."

Look in the mirror. You have changed, haven’t you? Look around. Do you recognize the world that you live in?

In an era where Facebook and Twitter have infiltrated our vernacular and in some ways taken over certain routine activities, it is no wonder that sometimes we reject the land of hyper-information in favor of a much simpler existence.

The way we communicate has changed. The way we relate to each other has changed. The intricacies of everyday life, from the banal to the unique, have the potential to consume our attention.

A brilliant friend explained that we live in a time ruled by the remote control. When our attention span gives up, we simply click off and away we go. We are used to this contemporary convenience.

And then there are our overactive brains. Sleepless nights rule when overcrowded inward conversations fail to quiet into what we hope transitions into sublime bliss.

Can we challenge you to turn it all off? If only for a little while?

It was during a highly stressful time in my life that I discovered the solace of the Rothko Chapel. I participated in their meditation series, incorporating the practice from diverse entry points.

Laughter yoga exercises left me elated, high on life, surprisingly calm and ready to conquer anything that came my way. The Buddhist chanting meditation’s open sonorities — chanting in open fifths is quite a reverberant experience — left a perpetual calming resonance between my temples. The walking meditation focused me spiritually, emotionally and physically.

Although I should work on making meditation, in any form, a common practice, as a part of its 40-year anniversary celebration, the Rothko Chapel issues you — yes you — a challenge.

Your task, if you choose to accept it, is to meditate 40 minutes everyday for 40 days.

Starting Monday through Feb. 25, spiritual and religious leaders from diverse faith traditions will lead 40-minute silent meditations as a way to renew the Chapel’s mission while fostering contemplation, interfaith dialogue and understanding.

“Over the years, spiritual leaders from the world’s faith traditions have blessed the Chapel with their presence and invited people to reconnect with the healing and transformative power of silence, prayer, and meditation,” Emilee Dawn Whitehurst, executive director, explains. “We invite the public to sit in silence for 40 minutes daily starting at noon and to allow the quietude of the Chapel to inform their daily lives.”

In Dominique de Menil's words:

It is a place where a great artist, turned towards the Absolute, had the courage to paint almost nothing — and did it masterfully. It is a place blessed by the many people who gather there to meditate, to find themselves and to go beyond themselves. It is a place that was solemnly dedicated to love, to God, to the absolute truth you are after

Aside from the self-implied benefits and perks of such a practice, our friends at Rothko sweeten the pot.

Those who complete the cycle receive the following package, valued at $750:

Member Benefits for Life
10 percent discount in Chapel store
Subscription to Members newsletter
Invitation to annual Members’ program and reception
Copy of The Rothko Chapel – An Act of Faith by Susan Barnes
Copy of The Artist’s Reality by Mark Rothko, edited by his son, Christopher Rothko

Are you up to it?

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in the navy

What to know about Fleet Week as it sails into Houston for the first time

Courtesy of Fleet Week Houston

The USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, will be in Houston this week.

For the first time ever, Fleet Week is sailing into Houston. Held Wednesday, April 15 through Wednesday, April 22, the weeklong event will bring four military vessels and more than 1,000 active-duty servicemembers to Houston.

One highlight will be the opportunity for Houstonians to tour four ships — USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), USS Minneapolis-St. Paul (LCS-21), USS St. Louis (LCS-19), and USCGC Edgar Culbertson (WPC-1137) — all of which will be docked at the Houston Ship Channel. In addition, dozens of other events will take place at schools, museums, parks, and more.

While the week includes dozens of events and celebrations, these seven are a good start for Houstonians who wish to participate in the festivities.

Wednesday, April 15

Parade of Ships at Seawolf Park, Galveston

Watch the parade of ships into the Houston Ship Channel to kick-off the inaugural Fleet Week Houston, and welcome the more than 1,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who will be participating in the week-long festivities. 7 am.

Thursday, April 16

Fleet Week on the Plaza at The Plaza at Avenida Houston
The free concert will feature performances by Houston’s beloved The Suffers, Navy Band Southeast, and special guests. In addition to the performances, attendees will find food trucks, games, photo ops, and more. 6 pm.

Saturday, April 18

Fleet Week Houston Aviation Exhibit at the Lone Star Flight Museum
Ellington Airport and the Lone Star Flight Museum will offer visitors an up-close look at a variety of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. It includes both modern and historic planes. 9 am (9 am Sunday).

Fleet Week Expo at Post Houston
This event allows civilians to experience the visiting sea services through entertainment, talks, and demonstrations. It is also the beginning point for the buses taking people to ship tours. Performances on Saturday include a Marine Corp brass quintet (10 am), Chris Castaneda (12 pm), Julia Byers (2 pm), and Vetted (4 pm). On Sunday, the performers include David de la Garza (10 am), Sara Van Buskirk (12 pm), Navy Band Southeast – Jazz Combo (2 pm), and Vetted (4 pm). 10 am (10 am Sunday).

East End Block Party
Held at the Navigation Esplanade, the event includes live music, Luche Libre wrestling, and barbecue. 3 pm.

Sunday, April 19

Exhibition at Sylvan Beach Park (La Porte)
Designed for military buffs and anyone looking for adventure, this event showcases some of the military’s elite capabilities. Events and demonstrations include a hovercraft landing, Coast Guard Search and Rescue operations, Navy band performances, dog demonstrations, and hands-on displays with military equipment and technology. 10 am.

Monday, April 20

Fleet Week Street Festival and Drone Show at Main Street (Seabrook)
Market and food vendors, including artists, merchants, and veteran-owned businesses, will sell products. Then, a patriotic-themed drone show celebrating the 250th birthday of both the Navy and Marine Corps will light up the sky. 11 am.

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Group tours of the visiting vessels for companies, youth groups, civic organizations, and others are still available. Contact Jay Cope at 504-957-6305 or jay.a.cope.civ@us.navy.mil for more details.