Overview

Our first day of touring the Auschwitz Concentration Camp had ended. I was present for a five day Bearing Witness Retreat there with the Zen Peacemakers. Standing in line to get some tea I felt someone tap my shoulder and I turned to face a woman who, in German accented English, said to me: ""I need to talk to someone."" Her apprehension was palpable and heavy. I smiled and held her gaze. ""I am the granddaughter of a major Nazi and feel I should not be here."" We continued to hold each other's gaze. I sensed the deep roots of the shame she was expressing. Without hesitation and a broader smile I said, ""I am glad you are here."" I saw her relief. She smiled and asked me why I was there. I said, ""Because for most of my life I could not shake the feeling that I wanted to annihilate you and your people."" Her smile deepened as she slowly nodded in understanding. We sat down and had tea together. We are friends to this day.

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Peter Sternberg is a psychotherapist living with his wife, Maggie, in a suburb of Chicago. They have three grown daughters with partners/spouses. His interests include co-running Elderwarriors Retreats with Fr. Michael Cicinato, helping organize healing retreats at sites of atrocity in the world, and teaching people how to use Council for peer support in troubled times. Peter enjoys hiking, travel, skiing, and pursuing his various practices - most notably, Tai Chi. Maura Sternberg is a Zen Shiatsu practitioner and the co-director of The Holy Well, a women's health organization. She lives with her beloved and her dear friends on a farm outside of Portland, Oregon. She writes, teaches, practices herbalism, offers bodywork, and facilitates healing ceremony - in between running after chickens and goats.

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