Ten Living Heroes

As I approached this project I realized I hadn’t really
thought about heroes in a very long time. When I was a
child I had heroes like John Kennedy,John Glenn,
John Wayne, Bart Starr, Vince Lombardi,and other figures
in sports, entertainment, and politics.I didn’t really
know about their lives. I didn’t really take the time
to look at their humanness; the part of them that
responded to adversity or were fallible. I only knew
their ages and their overt accomplishments. 

As I grew older my heroes were from the counter culture
nature or had a streak of radical authenticity.People
like Mick Jagger, Carlos Castenada, Timothy Leary,
Ram Dass,and Jimmy Carter.What I admired was their
courage to assert their independence,and their autonomy.
Their actions (admirable in some cases and in so many
cases really harmful to themselves or others)mirrored
my own search for identity.

And then in my twenties the hero button clicked off.
My parents, although heroic in their own relationship,
did not set a model that kept me from divorce in my
own life. I became disappointed in my ability to grow
into a hero.During that same time period, the radiance
of my early heroes paled as their humanness showed
them to be lacking in some character trait essential
to be heroic.  

Recently a friend said she had no heroes --- all her
heroes had let her down. She had expected her heroes
to be super human or perhaps in-human.I noticed that
I felt sad when she said that. Yet, hadn't I done the
same thing?I began to wonder what is the longing to
have a hero?What is missing when there are no heroes
from whom to model our lives?Can we expect heroes
to be perfect in all aspects of their lives? 

Was it fair or reasonable to expect our heroes to be
always perfect?  

Our super heroes have their dark sides and still get
to be heroes.What makes them distinct from someone
who falls from grace when their dark side is revealed?
Why do we still perceive them as heroic? Perhaps what
allows a hero with a dark side to remain a hero is
that they are willing to confront their darkness.What
could be more heroic than looking deep into your own
soul and confronting the demons that reside under the
rocksof your life time’s worth of experience? 

So the first question I must ask is really the only question
worth answering.  What makes a human person a HERO?  

For me a Hero lives a life FULL --- of commitment, of
integrity, of perseverance, of willingness to continue
in the face of long or impossible odds. A hero looks into
their own life, faces its challenges, and uses it to
inspire others to use their lives in the service to others.  

A hero is a source for each of us---A source to connect
with greatness,with immortality. We look back on Gandhi,
King, Lincoln,Achilles, Alexander, and Odysseus and see
them heroic in deeds and words. We see them human in
their weaknesses and fallibilities. We see them
inspirational in their connection with the divine and
willingness to confront the darkness that resides in
men’s souls with out losing their hope for humanity. 

The following people have inspired me. The have inspired
me in a number of realms --- spiritual, physical, mental,
emotional. Each of these people live lives full and I
find their words,deeds, and thoughts both comforting
and confronting. In many cases I have worked with and
communicated with many of these heroes. They are listed
(except for the first one) in no particular order.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Compassion in action

In exile since 1959 the Dalai Lama was, until recently, the head of the Tibetan government in exile. He has transitioned the government of Tibet from a Theocracy to a Democracy. He is considered to be the face of the
Buddhist Religion, although he is only the head of the Tibetan Buddhists. Even though the Communist Chinese have been killing the Tibetan people for years (refugees continue to find their way to Nepal and India) he has preached kindness, compassion and understanding for the Chinese government.

His Holiness, the 14^th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso was born in1935 in a small village in northeastern Tibet. At the age of 2 he was recognized as the reincarnation of his predecessor, the14^th Dalai Lama, and thus an incarnation of Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of Compassion.

His Holiness assumed full political power in 1950 at the age of 15. After 9 years of peace negotiations (the Chinese invaded Tibet in 1950) he escaped to India where he was given political asylum. The Tibetan government-in-exile and His Holiness have resided in Dharamsala, India since that time.

Although the Chinese occupation of Tibet continues to this day, His Holiness has advocated a non-violent resolution to the conflict. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. The Committee’s citation read, "The Committee wants to emphasize the fact that the Dalai Lama in his struggle for the liberation of Tibet consistently has opposed the use of violence. He has instead advocated peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people." His commitment to compassion and non-violence remain a beacon to the entire world. He has written many books and has had his extensive lectures turned into many books as well.

His Holiness has traveled extensively of the last 40 years, visiting with political and religious leaders through out the world. His is the face of compassion, the living Buddha. Yet he lives as a simple monk, arising at 4AM for morning meditation and finishing each day with evening prayers. In explaining his greatest sources of inspiration, he often cites a favorite verse, found in the writings of the renowned eighth century Buddhist saint Shantideva:

For as long as space endures
And for as long as living beings remain,
Until then may I too abide
To dispel the misery of the world.

His Holiness, the Dalai Lama inspires me that we humans can rise above our egos and our attachments. We can love each and every person, regardless of the wrongs they may have done to us or the world at large.

Dr. Marshall Rosenberg

Founder and Director of the Center for Nonviolent Communication, an international peacemaking and training organization. He is the author of Speak Peace in a World of Conflict, and the bestselling Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life. Dr. Rosenberg has received numerous awards for his work as a peace maker.

At 75 years old Dr. Rosenberg continues to travel and teach extensively throughout the world. He spends more than 250 days each year traveling the globe and teaching Nonviolent Communication in hundreds of local communities, at national conferences, and in some of the most impoverished, war-torn states of the world.

Dr. Rosenberg grew up in a highly turbulent and racially charged Detroit neighborhood. His experiences led him to a keen interest in new forms of communication that would provide peaceful alternatives to the violence he encountered. This interest led to a doctorate in clinical psychology while his life experiences and study of comparative religions motivated him to develop the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) process.

His model of NVC is being usedin prisons, armed conflicts throughout the world, as well as schools and homes the world over. The process starts with empathy and compassion. And it ends with empathy and compassion. He uses puppets and music and a spiritual energy to infuse a room with joy and peace. He truly is building a more peaceful world.

Dr. A.T. Ariyatne

Dr. Ariyatne is the founder of the Sarvodaya Shramadana movement of Sri Lanka. He is the recipient of the 1996 Gandhi peace prize. His organization exists to serve by the sharing of labor, thought and the enlightenment of all. Overthe years Dr. Ari, as he is called, has quietlyfollowed in the footsteps of Gandhi and King in the non violent change movement. His organization, Sarvodaya, has energized Sri Lankans in 15,000 villages to build more than 5,000 pre-schools, community health centers, libraries and cottage industries; establish thousands of village banks; dig thousands of wells and latrines; promote biodiversity, solar energy, rehabilitation…and peace. At the core of Sarvodaya, after all, is belief in one another. Instead of competition, it stresses cooperation. Instead of dogged independence, it promotes interdependence and sharing. In the place of cynicism about our fellow human beings, it offers practical wisdom and hope.

But Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne’s belief remains…in the power of individuals, families, villages, nations…and a world tied together by an awakening of the spirit that breathes life into us all.

Instead of seeing A.T. Ariyaratne as “like” Gandhi or any other great men and women of peace, we need to know him as one man who made a difference for millions through Sarvodaya. His message applies to every corner of the earth where inequity, violence, poverty and hopelessness oppress everyday people struggling to make life worth living. In the spirit of Martin Luther King, he has led peace marches and meditations with millions of poor people. In the mold of Mahatma Gandhi, he has quieted angry masses through his personal example. Like Jimmy Carter, he has successfully mediated intense conflicts and helped build hundreds of homes. Like the Dalai Lama and the world’s greatest preachers, he has an impressive ability to rally ordinary citizens to see the spiritual wisdom of looking beyond their own salvation to help ensure the salvation of others.

What makes Dr. Ari truly unique is his “bottom up” approach. In the face of globalization and world capitalism, people’s lives depend on their next crop and the generous spirit of their neighbors. True community requires nourishing the body and the spirit ; the melding of a sense of mutual responsibility and self help that comes from living the truths of compassion, loving kindness, joy in the happiness of others and equanimity. His work carries an even greater sense of urgency. For 47 years Sri Lanka has been torn apart by civil strife.

His movement is open to anyone. One can visit villages where houses have been built by people of many religions and sit next to each other. And the people tell the stories of close friendships despite the differences in religion and culture. Friendships built on mutual trust and respect. Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne’s belief remains…in the power of individuals, families, villages, nations…and a world tied together by an awakening of the spirit that breathes life into us.

Deepak Chopra

Writer of many spiritual books, Dr. Chopra is both a western medical doctor and an Ayurvedic doctor. Ayurveda treats the entire person using a variety of modalities that get to the root of the problem rather curing the symptoms as allopathic healers do. He is a great believer in Synchro-destiny, a principle that says everything happens because it is supposed to happen and carries a message for our life if we care to listen.

Dr. Chopra was born in 1946 and became a western medical doctor in the late 1960’s. He came to the United States in 1970. By age 35 he was medical Chief of Staff at New England Memorial Hospital. And his life was stressed, marked by too many cigarettes, coffee and alcohol.

Around 1980 Chopra met a master Ayurvedic physician, Brihaspati Dev Triguna, who re-introduced Chopra to this ancient healing path based on balancing the flow of energy in the body. A few years later Chopra met the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) movement. The Maharishi was a regular on the talk show circuit and the spiritual advisor to the Beatles.

These two meetings placed Chopra on the path we find him today. A prolific author, he has authored dozens of self-help and spiritual books, hosted innumerable workshops and seminars, and placed him at the forefront of the alternative health movement.

Today the website www.chopra.com features the online store of features "the online store of infinite possibilities." Much of the material is offered free of charge. A different universal law is explained and a new meditation is offered every day. As Uri Geller explained in the Times of London, "Deepak believes in dharma, a force which directs your life when you agree to go with the flow. You cannot shape dharma--it happens. The multiple coincidences that appear to buffet your path are really synchronized aspects of destiny--synchrodestiny. It's an intriguing notion and one which he explains for free online."

Deepak Chopra inspires us to heal ourselves through proper nutrition, meditation, and balancing our energies.

Louise Diamond

I first discovered Louise Diamond when I read a book she wrote called “Courage for Peace.” This book tells real stories of real people she has worked with over her years as professional peacebuilder. The book ripped my heart out. I have read it several times since then and it never fails to move me. I have given copies of the book to several of my friends.

Ms. Diamond has four academic degrees, including a Ph.D. in Peace Studies, and has written four books and innumerable columns and articles. She has been a teacher, therapist, organizational consultant and trainer, healing practitioner, minister, filmmaker, professional peacebuilder, and author. She has worked with individuals, couples, families, organizations, communities, and nations.

She has worked in war zones all over the world, as well as with troubled youth and the terminally ill. She is a cancer survivor three times over, since 1973. She started a company, The Peace Company, to prove that peace can pay in a capitalist society. It has proven exactly that.

Her book, “The Peace Book --- 108 Simple Ways to Make a More Peaceful World” is offered for sale at the Peace Company site at a highly discounted rate. You are requested to give them away! I have given more than 20 copies away myself.

Louise Diamond has made Peace her life and her business. I admire her message:

You too are here to bring peace to our troubled world.
She believes the seed of peace is deeply embedded in our spiritual DNA. The world is crying for us now. We may no longer be silent and still. We must enliven what we know and turn it to action. For the love of peace

Shawn Phillips

Fitness expert, business leader, innovator, and author Shawn Phillips has been helping athletes, celebrities, and tens of thousands of others achieve strong, healthy bodies for over two decades.

He began sharing his expertise on training, nutrition, and supplementation by helping his brother, Bill Phillips (author of the number-one New York Times bestseller Body for Life), write articles and develop programs that were featured in Bill's Muscle Media magazine.

Shawn has appeared on numerous magazine covers, and photos of his physique have been featured in over one hundred magazine articles over the past ten years. A widely published author on the topics of training, nutrition, and the performance mindset, his most recent book, ABSolution: The Practical Solution for Building Your Best Abs, was an instant health and fitness classic and number-one bestseller.

While best known to many for his signature “six-pack abs,” Shawn is better known by his family, close friends, and coworkers as a focused, hardworking, soft-spoken man with a kind heart and an intense passion for helping people achieve their life visions. Shawn lives in the foothills of Colorado with his wife Angie and their son Nathaniel.

Shawn is currently focused on helping people reach their full potential through a more integral version of physical training. He is also a founding member and supporter of The Great American Transformation, a nonprofit organization committed to transforming health and fitness levels in the United States from “worst to first by the year 2012.”

Authors, brothers, and body builders, I had the privilege of meeting both Bill and Shawn several years ago in Elko NV. They were there in support of a radio DJ who lost 100 pounds on the Body for Life program and raised $25,000 for the Make A Wish foundation. Bill’s book, Body for Life changed the way I work out and eat. Shawn gave me hope that maybe I can have abs! I completed the Body of Work contest (I highly recommend the movie) and several Body for Life contests. Shawn’s book, ABSolution: The Practical Solution for Building Your Best Abs, is a beautiful work, inspiring both visually and in content.

Shawn Phillips continues to inspire with his positive messages of self reliance and self discipline.

Francesca Gentille

Francesca Gentille is a nationally recognized Whole Life and Relationship coach. Graduating as a member of the national honors society in Psychology (Psi Chi), she has over 20 years training and expertise in Psychology, Communication Theory, Spirituality, Somatic Movement, Integrative Arts, Life Purpose and Authentic Wardrobe/Style Expression. She is an Initiated Daughter of Yemaya, an award wining poet, a Health Educator and a Television Host/Producer. She is also a proud mother of a fantastic son.

Francesca has moved and shattered my life in ways I never thought possible. She has continued to move more and more into a transparent life of integrity and honor. Her willingness to work on herself, her life and her vision inspires and moves me. She has never asked me to look at any part of myself without looking at herself first. She has served as my inspiration to do and be things in the world I never thought possible --- a dancer, a workshop leader in the fields of dance and personal growth. I am a more powerful human being today because of my association with her.

Peggy Dylan

Peggy Dylan is:

• an internationally renowned seminar leader
• one of the most dynamic motivational speakers worldwide
• a recognized pioneer and premier authority in the field of personal development and human potential
• the originator of the contemporary firewalking movement
• Peggy Dylan is the founder of SUNDOOR School of Transpersonal Education and The International Firewalking School, and personally develops all the programs taught by both her and her expert staff. She has powerfully impacted hundreds of thousands of people.

Peggy Dylan is the founder of SUNDOOR School for Transpersonal Education and personally develops all the programs taught by both her and her expert staff. A pioneer in motivational and leadership trainings since 1976, Peggy's work and insight catapulted the firewalk to national attention as a leading edge tool for human development in 1982.

I was very fortunate to meet Peggy in 1996 or 97. She led a firewalk with just 7 or 8 of us. Since that time I have walked with her several times. She is the premier authority on this dynamic process. Her workshops are both cutting edge and down to earth. Since my first walk, I have found that many obstacles pale in comparison to walking on 1200 degree coals. Not only is her work inspiring but her life continues to be one of service to the planet and an inspiration as well.

Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong has won an unheard of 7 consecutive Tour De France cycling races. This race takes 22 days, has 20 stages and covers over 2500 kilometers (2000 miles). Imagine a team winning the Super Bowl 7 times, or the NBA Championships 7 times, or the US Open 9 years in a row. This is a streak unheard of in the annals of sports history. Then imagine the Star player on the team is a cancer survivor --- a cancer that required 2 surgeries and an aggressive experimental chemotherapy treatment. An amazing testament to the iron will of Lance Armstrong. Today Lance Armstrong is cancer free and has retired from competitive cycling.

He has not retired from a life of service. The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) has sold over 65 million LiveStrong yellow bands and has raised over 181 million dollars for cancer survivorship programs and raising awareness of the fight against cancer.

In 2006: Lance raised over $600,000 running the New York marathon. He has committed to the 2007 race. He finished in a very competitive 2:59. He LAF has begun to put pressure on political leaders to start a dialogue on cancer and what is or isn’t being done.

Although his story of physical accomplishments is the stuff of legends, his mental attitude and willing ness to bring his journey home to each of us is truly inspiring.

Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah
Emmanuel was born with out a tibia in his right leg. His father abandoned the family after he was born. Bad, yes, but consider he was born in Ghana, a country where the disabled can only look forward to a life of begging in the streets uneducated and alone. Over 2 million Ghanaians are disabled. Emmanuel Yeboah could have accepted his fate and joined the legions of beggars in Accra, the capital.

His mother, refused to let him accept his fate, sending him to school and building a fire that led him to an amazing feat. Yeboah had a better idea--he would take a bike ride. With just one good leg, he pedaled around the sub-Saharan nation in an effort to open his countrymen's eyes to the fact that disability does not mean inability. His 400-mile journey took Yeboah worlds away from his final destination. He was thrust into international celebrity, featured in a documentary, and given a brand new leg. Since then he has embarked on a new journey--transforming the lives of Ghana's estimated 2 million disabled people. "In this world, we are not perfect," Yeboah humbly told the New York Daily News. "We can only do our best. I just want to make life better, and help people benefit from my experience."

Armed with a bike from the Challenged Athlete Foundation (CAF) Emmanuel set out to ride across Ghana with just one leg. He was out to change the perception that disability equaled inability. He stopped to give speeches and raise awareness of the plight of the disabled in Ghana. Over the several months and 380 miles that he was on the road Emmanuel --- “the Pozo” --- became a celebrity throughout Ghana.

The CAF helped Emmanuel get a prosthetic leg and in 2003 Emmanuel was named the CAF Most Inspirational Athlete. The same year he received the prestigious Casey Martin Award, given to honor an athlete who has overcome physical, mental, societal, or cultural challenges to excel in their sport. The Nike award came with a check for $25,000. CAF matched that gift with another $25,000. Yeboah used the money to create the Emmanuel Education Fund in Ghana. "My goal is to make sure that children with disabilities get an education, receive proper medical care, and play sports whenever they want," he said. He has committed to putting 15 disabled students through school each year and has helped organize the distribution of hundreds of wheelchairs to his countrymen.

Emmanuel was the subject of the documentary “Emmanuel’s Gift” narrated by Oprah Winfrey. This is the movie that led me to Emmanuel Yeboah. The scenes where over 100 wheelchairs are distributed to Ghanaian street people are amazing. You can see people’s lives transformed before your eyes. Emmanuel continues to work for the rights of the disabled in Ghana and turned his disability into a gift. A gift he has used to inspire a nation and given hope to over 2 million people.

What I have learned in this exploration and rumination of heroes in the world today,
is that to honor the life of a hero is to make a commitment to integrate their lessons into my own life,
and to strive to become the hero for others that they are for me. 

Namaste 

John Mariotti