Illustration by Miki Howenstein
                                                     (From page 80 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

 …..A vital component of non-violence is to learn forgiveness since, as long as you are unable to forgive, you are letting the past control you and engendering a spirit full of bitterness and remorse—in effect, committing violence to yourself…..
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Author’s Comment: Non-violence is usually thought of in terms of our actions towards the outside world (of people and nature). Yet, committing mental violence to oneself (continually feeding your anger, bitterness, sadness, depression) is rarely discussed, and may be worse as it moves you into a living hell. While these emotions are important to feel, harboring them does damage to body and soul. Learning from them and “using them constructively” (for your own good as well as others) is true non-violence in action.

 Illustration by Miki Howenstein
 (From page 80 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

Love is one of the most puzzling words in the English language. It carries diverse meanings ranging from a raging passion (often to the exclusion of anything else) to an all-encompassing attitude towards all life, with a beckoning spirit to let it all in…..

​Author’s Comment: “I love you.” One of the most often verbalized statements in our daily lives, and yet, what does it truly mean? There are many levels and meanings of love, yet, in the end, it hopefully moves one towards a wholistic feeling where your love for another expands to an increasingly love for all. What an exciting endeavor to move towards!

  Illustration by Miki Howenstein
 (From page 48 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

…….The active implementation of spirituality into your life becomes much more enjoyable and appealing when infused with an element of play and having fun.
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Author’s Comment: In today’s world, there are many issues which weigh heavy on us, and rightly so. While it is important to confront the viruses which sicken the soul, it is just as important to instill fun and humor, a lightness of being, which attracts friend and foe alike. Living in the Jambo spirit—having fun doing good—engenders a joie d’être so needed in an all too often dark world.

 Illustration by Miki Howenstein
 (From page 14 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

Your journey begins with an intensive search within. It is only through better understanding of and by yourself that you can clearly see what is working for you and what isn’t. A key point here is to observe yourself non-judgmentally……
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Author’s Comment: All too often we try to make changes “out there” without cultivating the same within us. Look inside yourself non-judgmentally simply observing what is. It is through deep soul-searching and understanding, and rooting out what is working for you and what isn’t that you can most effectively affect change around you. Any journey begins within, deciphering where you wish to go based on who you are, and, in doing so, unexpected delights await.

 Illustration by Miki Howenstein
 (From page 280 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

Building a strong spiritual foundation becomes a source of inspiration to others in the present and also a guiding light to a more enlightened future.
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Author’s Comment: Jambo’s inherent philosophy is that it is those people who have worked on themselves to develop a strong, integrated spiritual core who can lead us to a better present and more inspiring future. As much as possible, Jambo tries to find organizations that have such people and support them, while offering nuggets of wisdom for those wishing to do the same.

  Illustration by Miki Howenstein

 (From page 346 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)
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Creating opportunities and spaces for concerned people to take action requires direction and leadership. In this sense of the word, true leadership means listening closely to others to find the strengths they can use to build their self-esteem and forge important connections to enhance their sense of self-worth.

Author’s Comment: In many facets of our lives, the private has come to take priority over the public, with opportunities to do something for the public good diminishing. In today’s world of technological marvels and privatization, taking action to better the world falls to the wayside. Yet, such actions inevitably improves the physical and mental condition of the participants, thereby creating a desperate need for those who provide such opportunities.

                                                                  Illustration by Miki Howenstein
                                                    (From page 312 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

Come to see the cynics’ arguments for what they are—empty. For example, skeptics often use fear as a way of halting progressive ideas, like the idea that moving towards an environmentally harmonious lifestyle means depriving ourselves of the good things in life. But such arguments no longer bear any weight for you, for you clearly see that moving in that direction is far more spiritually and deeply fulfilling, while you also build on life’s most precious gifts—light-heartedness, a sense of enchantment, security and freedom from fear (exactly those treasures which our current unsustainable lifestyles are stealing away from us). Envisioning a future that restores these gifts is the first step towards bringing them into reality.
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Author’s Comment: Our materialistic societies provide a host of conveniences and goodies which bless our lives in so many ways. At the same time, as currently developed, we suffer from environmental ills, a increasingly unstable climate, and more and more loneliness and disconnection with other people and living things. Envisioning and moving towards a society where our multitude of techno-conveniences accompany greater connection and environmental betterment becomes our greatest task for a sustainable and rewarding future for all. 

                                                         Illustration by Miki Howenstein
　                                       (From page 280 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

Closer contact with nature blesses us with spiritual experiences which “naturally and spiritually” engender within us a desire for less material goods (since the pleasure of contacting “holy life” gives us much more contentment than any superfluous goods ever could).
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Author’s Comment: Getting in contact with nature means getting in contact with life’s mystery and the wonders which make our existence possible. Appreciating nature’s gifts to us (a sense of awe, fresh air, clean water, healthy soils, everything necessary for us to live) and reflecting adoringly of her incredible immensity instills within us a sense of contentment unmatched by human ingenuity.

                                                              Illustration by Miki Howenstein
                                                (From page 246 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)
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……Within the individual, the quest for integrity means striving for a harmonious fitting together of the different aspects of the self—mind, spirit and body. In your integration with the life community, you find ways of promoting your own growth at the same time as positively cultivating your natural and human communities…….

Author’s Comment: Finding the right connections leads one to living a more integrated life. When I believe in being kind to others and befriend another who frequently commits violence and leads me to do so, this connection destroys my integrity. Ut us if the utmost importance that you deepen connections with those who promote the inner (and outer) harmony of your life and your values.
         

                                                                  Illustration by Miki Howenstein
                                                    (From page 212 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

…… The meaning of “all-inclusive” herein entails the idea of all life as being fundamentally valuable and encourages individuals to act on that, while encouraging others to do the same. At the same time, when we blindly accept individual behaviours damaging to our universal ideals, like someone who insists on his right to downgrade others, we destroy our own sense of community and inclusiveness, for such a person drives a wedge between people……
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Author’s Comment: How do we include those who wish to do harm to us? Or accept beings (like those nasty mosquitoes) which inflict pain on us? While we maintain the idea that all life is valuable, it is also important that we insist upon living in dignity and the right of others to do so. When others invade our sense of dignity, we have a right (I would also say, an obligation) to do whatever is necessary to uphold our (and others’) dignity however we can, which may mean resisting being harmed by another or excluding them in order to maintain a dignified inclusion with others.