Alma Flor Ada

Alma Flor Ada was born in the turbulent years prior to the revolution in a rural area of Cuba, where her love of story telling was nurtured by her grandparents. She has been awarded a Fulbright scholarship and recipient of The Once Upon A World Award from the Simon Weisenthal Center at the Museum of Tolerance. Alma Flor Ada is a professor emerita at the School of Education at the University of San Francisco, and is an internationally recognized expert on multicultural education and has published numerous bilingual children's books. The English translation of her first and middle names is "Soul Flower".

Interestingly, many members of our discussion expressed that at first glance, they thought they would not be able to relate to Alma Flor Ada. And yet, overwhelmingly after reading this interview, our group felt deeply touched by what she had to offer us. - Meenal

The passages and questions below are offered as a starting point for discussion, and are simply listed in sequential order as they appear in the book.

• page 55 "[My daughter] helped me recognize that I am guided by spiritual practices I don't name as such: generosity, the impulse to give as much of myself as I can, respect for the beliefs of others, nonjudgment, support and devotion to even the simplest form of life - certainly to children and to the particular individuals I consider my teachers. Listening is also part of my practice - not only that I listen to others, but that I teach others how to listen. My daughter sees me as someone who embodies my beliefs in action. Hearing all this, from her especially, was deeply healing because I was often taunted by neighborhood children when I was young, told I would surely go to hell because I had not been baptized and did not have any formalized religious practices."
  
  • Alma Flor Ada shares quite a few personal stories of the disconnect that she has experienced between religion and spirituality. What is your definition of "religion"? What is your definition of "spirituality"?
  • Speaking from your personal experience, can one exist without the other? Please share your stories.
• page 60-61 "To me, faith is the deep knowledge that everything is as it should be." [the author] That everything is perfect? "Well, it's a perfection that may sometimes look imperfect to my limited vision. I accept what is because, deep inside, I believe things are just as they should be. ... I remember him [my father] saying to me once that 'behind the stars, there is more and more and more.' I came away believing that the universe is filled with mystery, and that the mystery is perfect. ... To some people, this may seem contradictory to a life of social activism, to wanting to make the world a better place, but I don't see it that way. I have a responsibility to reflect on and plan actions, which, from the perspective of my limited intelligence, are noble and loving. At the same time, I must have faith that whatever happens will be all right. In action I reflect on what is the best thing to do, but in faith I know that whatever I do will be okay."
  
  • "Faith" is a word freely assigned to people who are deeply religious, but can be withheld from those who are spiritual, but do not follow a particular religion. Alma Flor Ada offers a perspective that allows for the term to be applied to a broader group of people. How does this compare to your personal perspective of "Faith"?
• page 61 "Gangaji once told me something that really helped me deal with the various challenges of my life. She said, 'When pain appears, embrace it. It is the best teacher.' ... Pain is a sensation that occurs in the moment, but suffering can become part of one's existence. Though I may be in tremendous pain, if I embrace suffering, I become useless; I have nothing to offer anyone but my suffering. If I am going to be of service to others, I simply can't do that. ... Happiness and pain are independent of each other." ... [Wolff] Do you mean that you do not wallow in victim consciousness? "It's more than that. I do not let pain change the essence of gratitude that is in my soul. I acknowledge that I have pain - I say 'This is sad or difficult' - but I do not let pain alter the beauty of life, the magnificence and mystery of life, and my gratitude for the mystery."
  • I read this passage and my reaction was "Wow!" In a short paragraph, Alma Flor Ada offers a clear explanation of the Buddhist concept of suffering (which is caused by attachment to things that are not permanent), but she also a way out of suffering in terms to which most people can relate. In my own life, I have observed the power of gratitude on my outlook and ability to recover from hard events. What do you take away from her wisdom about either gratitude or pain?
    
• Was there a particular passage that made you stop and either consider or appreciate?