Return to the Sacred Feminine

By Chris Van Ingen

In 2013, women are strong, intelligent, creative, caring and beautiful. So how insane is our world if we need to have a night dedicated to stopping violence against people that have these qualities and much more to offer the world?

Growing up with a disability was tough. When my guy friends were doing things I couldn’t do, I would’ve been very lonely if the girls didn’t let me join their circle.

I’ve known since the age of ten how amazing women are and I truly believe they deserve to worshipped; not just sexually!

It horrifies me to know that 1 in 3 women experience violence at the hands of ones who say they love them the most: their partners.

When the majority of these partners are men, it’s enough to make me want to disown my sex in protest.   

When I heard an excerpt from a speech by Police Commissioner Ken Lay which says “if one person a week was murdered at a train station there would be community outrage yet one woman per week is murdered and there’s barely a whisper.” What the f**k?

In the ten years I’ve been with the beautiful Jodi Watts now Van Ingen, I felt no need to use my porn collection because the artificial degrading world could never compare to her beautiful reality.

Women have always liked the way I respected them but from today I intend my respect to multiply by the power of ten.

I intend to make sure that all my interactions and communication with women are done in a spirit of equality and respect.

I intend to sign the G21 Accord to Prevent and End Violence Against Women and I encourage all men if they are “real men!” to do the same.

It is time for women to reclaim more than the night; it is time for women to reclaim their possession as the sacred feminine. 

Demolition Man

By Chris Van Ingen

In the short time our new Prime Minister has been in power, although whether or not he has lived up to honour of that title is up to you...

 He has scraped the Carbon Tax, got rid of the Ministers for Disability, Aged Care,  Youth, Climate Change  and Multicultural Affairs lumping them all in one, like he’s saying here is the reject pile.

During the election, people with disabilities were happy that both parties committed to the NDIS which is the biggest investment in disability in thirty years but how committed is Mr Abbott if he takes away the minister when those with disabilities need one most?

Mr Abbott a “devout Catholic!” is now attacking refuges and asylum seekers who are doing nothing wrong or illegal!

Time for a refresher, Australia signed a UN contract agreeing to take refugees and asylum seekers so coming here by boat is not against the law.

The ignorance and fear Abbott’s government is trading on brings to mind a Zen quote: “labelling as like or don’t like is a disease of the mind”.

People arriving by boat have committed no crime yet they are imprisoned when all they asking is place to be safe.

A blogger recently pointed out that our national anthem boasts “we have land for all to share.” Or the Bible says “what you do to the least of them you do to me.” Statements the government have forgotten based on current events.

Statically most refugees and asylum seekers return home once the danger has passed yet the new government has put laws in place to make it difficult for them to do just that.

Just when you think things are safe, in recent days, reports have surfaced that they are looking into the feasibility of privatising the NDIS effectively making it more arduous for people to access the scheme before it even starts.

Governments are supposed to represent their community with humanity and compassion but how much is going to be left after four years under a demolition man?

Hunger is not a game

This year’s Live Below the Line was a powerful reminder that for 1.4 billion people in our world hunger is not a game.

A lot of us think the world is fine. Some of us even say, “what’s yours is mine”.

Many people have plenty of advice but have they ever had to sacrifice just for a few bowls of rice.

The first day of the challenge, lack of coffee gave me a migraine headache and it got me thinking; shouldn’t the fact that 1.4 billion people live in poverty give everyone a headache?

It is a situation that shouldn’t exist in this day and age.

I lived on two dollars a day for my food for five days but poverty is more than just a lack of food.

A quarter of the world go without shelter, medicine, and even play every single day.

Thank you to all the people who supported me during the Live Below the Line campaign but it is important that we make an end to poverty a daily campaign until no single human being lives in poverty.

You can still donate at https://www.livebelowtheline.com/me/chrisvaningen

A Passion for Easter

I love hot cross buns, chocolate eggs and family fish feasts but while they all taste great none of these things are what Easter is about.

Easter is a reminder of the extraordinary sacrifice that was made to show us all the best way to live in the world.

I know that I have goodness, ability and strength but none of it comes from me. It is all God given.

As a Catholic today, on Good Friday, I participated in the Stations of the Cross. It was a powerful ceremony that reminded me of two things: 1, the power of hatred in our world; 2, the divine courage and grace that is possible.

So this weekend as we all enjoy hot cross buns and chocolate eggs, please remember the true passion for Easter.

God bless.

First Aid

It saddens me to hear that in order to tighten the country’s belt, Wayne Swan is considering cutting foreign aid.

As part of my work with the Global Poverty Project, I have learnt that if each one of us takes a small action it equals big change.

Our Government is supposed to be our leader.

If our leaders aren’t prepared to make a small change, then how is Australia going to make a difference in the world.

Last year, I attended an event called High Five for Point Five where we asked that our foreign aid promise of 0.5% GNI be kept.

For those of you who don’t know, 0.5% foreign aid equals 50c out of every $100.

Surely with our economy being in such good shape in comparison to the rest of the world, there is no need to cut back on a promise which is as little as 50 cents.

So I beg Julia Gilliard, Wayne Swan, Penny Wong, Simon Crean and Bob Carr to think about Australia’s commitment to the world.

It’s time to put votes second and first aid.

To take action head to Global Poverty Project or The Oaktree Foundation.

One mans reach

In school we were presented with a parade of motivational speakers each one talented and successful but there is only 2 that l remember all these years later. One was a local radio host and the other was Jim Steins.
Jim came to our school pulled out a $50 dollar note from his pocket and asked us who wanted $50. He was greeted with the screams of every student in the room, after about six or seven minutes he put the $50 back in his pocket and said " l can't believe none of you wanted $50. At which point we screamed yes we did then Jim calmly said then how come no one came and got it from me, you don't get your dreams unless you come and take them." That is a simple illustration of what it takes to achieve your goals that has stayed with me. Later on that day Jim invited us to come up and speak about our dreams and goals.
Without hesitation l wheeled forward and declared my intention to achieve everything l want despite my disability. After the session ended l had the opportunity to meet Jim and have my photo taken with him.l hope this story reminds everyone that one man can make a difference l was inspired by one mans reach.
Rest in peace Jim!

Godfather versus Ghandi

All my life I have struggled with the two sides of my personality. On one hand I have the ruthless instincts of a warrior and the other, the compassionate instincts of Ghandi.

For so long now I have played an internal tennis match back and forth driving myself crazy but after watching the news I believe all human beings are asking themselves the same question.

After much soul searching, I suggest the following solution; rather than fighting our instincts maybe it’s time we give ourselves a break and think like the Godfather but act like Ghandi.

Now some of you are probably thinking that the two cancel out each other but Mr. Ghandi beat the British army without hurting anyone. The reason he was able to do this was because he was ruthless in sticking to his principles. No matter what his opponents tried, he refused to give in and he refused to hurt anyone.

It is also a sad fact of life that there are many people out there that will hurt their fellow human beings just to get what they want. So by thinking like the Godfather, you will be able to protect yourself from these people and still have the compassion to act like Ghandi.

So many people in this world say they want world peace but the moment they get close to power their Godfather instincts take over.

If we put the needs of the world first it becomes easier to be more like Ghandi.