After all these months, a new post! I’ve discovered blogging is a skill not yet developed by this writer. But it seems only fitting to report the recognition Gia-fu’s biography has received. In addition to many kind, thoughtful letters, phone calls, and emails from readers, Still Point of the Turning World: The Life of Gia-fu Feng was winner of a gold medal and a finalist for two other awards.

• ForeWord Reviews’ Book of the Year Award Gold Medal in Biography (click on Biography on this page: http://www.bookoftheyearawards.com/);
• 2010 Indie New Generation Awards, Finalist in General Nonfiction;
• Colorado Authors’ League Top Hand Award, Finalist in General Nonfiction.

What a delight and surprise to watch the book take on a life of its own. But then, perhaps it’s not so surprising given its subject. Thanks to all who have been so responsive and encouraging on this unanticipated leg of the journey. xie xie

One of the most helpful comments I heard during my interviews with Gia-fu’s family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances, came from C.H., Gia-fu’s next youngest brother. When I asked C.H. about a circumstance revealing what seemed a contradiction between Gia-fu’s words and actions, he said this. “Ah, Carol. People are multi-faceted. And Gia-fu, even more so.”

I’ve come to appreciate C.H.’s wisdom again and again as I hear from people who knew Gia-fu. Some knew him well, others slightly, still others knew him only for a short time, perhaps a few months and in a particular environment. Many understood the complex being they encountered. Others focused primarily on one or two facets, not seeing the complexity beyond. But all hold this in common: whether one, two, or many, all found Gia-fu’s facets memorable.

David and I have just returned from Sitka, Alaska where we participated in the Island Institute’s Summer Symposium. This year’s theme was Shaping an Enduring Human Culture, with Gary Snyder, Gary Holthaus, and Robin Kimmerer as faculty. Wonderful teachers! They provoked us to think deeply, differently, and about many angles of the theme, one of which was reciprocity — how we give and take in the world. It seems we know quite a bit about taking, and not so much about giving back to other people, animals, the world.

Reciprocity. From the Latin word reciprocus, meaning ‘moving backward and forward.’ Robin, Gary, and Gary provided multiple lenses through which to view reciprocity, including the notions that we need first to know the world, to look closely, with an open mind and heart, to be able to call things by their proper names.

Naturally, I thought of Gia-fu and what he dreamed of for Stillpoint, about families living simply, honestly, in nature, giving, and receiving. Gia-fu knew that this isn’t some easy, idyllic idea. It takes courage to look at oneself honestly, to be honest with others. It takes some grit to live that way, day after day, giving and receiving. And it takes the will to stay with it.