Recently, while reading ArunDada's story in a "Sacred Space" Pod last month, I was reminded of an experience I had in 2010 -- ten years ago. (Amazing because it doesn't feel so long ago.) I had spent the day with my favorite Buddhist nun, Jun anjusan -- a woman who has walked all over the world for peace -- starting in 1978 when she walked across the USA. I have had the honor of walking with her in Japan and to sacred burial sites as well as nuclear testing sites in California. She is one of the most humble teachers I know with the strength and clarity of a cheetah; her voice is almost tiny but can move mountains. One day after a long day of fasting and prayer on the UC Berkeley campus near the Anthropology Department where Native American bones were being held, Jun anjusan and I were the "victims" of armed robbery.

We had been sitting in my car in a friend's driveway (where Jun-san was staying) blocking the sidewalk. Normally, I wouldn't do this but it was late with nowhere else to park; it had been a long day and I just wanted to quickly figure out the spelunking lights I had just gotten her for her upcoming peace walk. She gets up very early to do her yoga before walking, the light would help her see in the dark without disturbing others. We were looking at the lights, heads together, talking, when her door opened (the passenger side) and a man said, "Give me your purse."

She said, "All I have is my peace bag."

He took it.

Just then, another man opened my door and started to put his hands in my face without touching me. He seemed young and his energy ungrounded. I sensed this, leaned forward; he stepped back and I got out of the car. Suddenly, 3 or 4 men were standing in front of me, about 5 feet away.

I said calmly, "That is her peace bag." (It had her peace drum, little Buddha, and green card inside).

The man in the middle pulled out a gun and pointed it at me. “Turn around, Bi**h! or I will shoot” I don’t know what possessed me (I didn’t feel in my logical mind) but I stepped towards him and said softly, “But that is her prayer bag.”

He motioned at me with the gun again and yelled, "NOW!"

Everything went into slow motion. I was half paralyzed, I think I kind of nodded. I know I was quiet as something outside of me moved me around. As soon as my back was towards him, I heard the click of his gun and literally thought, I am going to die now. I waited for a second, blinking my eyes and when I heard nothing, I turned around. They were gone and, I was alive.

At the end of the night, Jun-san and I were mostly sad rather than angry that it happened. We found out that someone that same night was shot and killed about a mile away from that same area. I know that if I had come off with arrogance, I probably would not be alive today. So blessed to be alive!