About me
My name is Eyal Shani. I live in Meitar, Israel. I am a father of three sons and married to Eileil. In the last 30 years, I have been practicing Shiatsu, Chinese medicine, teaching meditation, Tai Chi, Chi-Kong and Zen Shiatsu. I am also a practitioner of Mindfulness in the spirit of the Vietnamese Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh.
I lead and support physical and mental healing processes and combine my life experience in therapy and guidance, in Palestine, Israel, and Germany.
Meitar is a small Jewish town in Israel, only few miles away from many Palestinian towns and villages in the occupied Palestinian territories, however I am separated from them by physical obstacles, extensive security regulations, and mostly by huge mental walls.
For over a decade, I dedicate much of my time and passion to improve human and social relationships between Israelis and Palestinians. Click here to read more about my personal vision, that motivates me in my action.
My vision
I want peace.
Peace is perhaps the most needed commodity in the Middle East in general, and in Israel and Palestine in particular. Peace is a small word for something great that will affect our lives, and will enable growth and creativity to flourish in many ways.
However, while peace is needed, the policies on the ground and the reality of our lives are moving away from any possibility of acquaintance with the other and creation of bases for human trust. Instead, there is fear, suspicion, alienation and a collection of "labels" that are left for each side to perceive the other through.
To this reality, I woke up every morning of my life. I had to mature a little, to experience a few wars, for me to awaken and understand that I am no longer willing to just wait and hope for peace! I understood that as long as I keep my thoughts and beliefs about peace to myself, I am supporting the policy of concession and disavowal of the governments of Israel and Palestine and the media that helps widen the gap between us.
The situation is getting worse with any act of terrorism, and the number of lunatics who feel the need or right to hurt many others is rising.
Around 10 years ago, I first experienced the unmediated, eye-to-eye, human encounter with Palestinians, over a cup of coffee and peace of bread. The impact on my well being was dramatic, and I began to participate and initiate more encounters of this sort, in growing circles.
Two humans meet over coffee and start talking, sharing and listening. Suspicion and alienation gradually dissolve, and peace fills the space; Not a peace treaty between governments or organizations, but pure human to human peace. Hardships and pain come up, responsibility also comes in, but it is in the context of human interaction and acceptance.
One day, maybe long after I'm here, there will be political peace. The more we create moments and experiences of human-to-human peace, we not only change our own lives, but also increase the chances we give political peace; And when political peace is achieved, we need as many people around that have encountered human-to-human peace, communicated with the other side and developed healthy and balanced relationships.
The inspiration for my presence and actions is derived from Tich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen monk whose practice allows containing the moment with everything that comes up in it.
Because suffering is impermanent, that is why we can transform it.
Because happiness is impermanent, that is why we have to nourish it.
Tich Nhat Hanh, 10th June 2014
