The Blessing Next to the Wound: A story of art, activism and transformation
This aptly titled book draws a spiritual path to transcend physical and psychic wounds, whether they come from political persecution, domestic abuse, gang violence, exile, or poverty.In this remarkable and powerful personal narrative, Hector Aristizabal portrays his own transformation—from a torture victim to a spiritual guide strong enough, artistic enough, and, ultimately, blessed enough, to lift other lost souls into the light.
~~Sue William Silverman,
author, Because I Remember Terror, Father, I Remember You and Fearless Confessions
"Here we have a 'must read' as the military base at Palanquero, Colombia is taken over by the United State Air Force. Hector personifies the suffering of the Colombian people. But the biophilic love of life overcomes the necrophilic love of death and power, as the victims of torture, the victims of crass and brutal violence, elevate their suffering by
seeing the world through eyes that have not yet been born."--Blase Bonpane, Director, Office of the Americas
"Psychologist, internationally known actor, human rights activist. Any of these vocations could be a life's work but Hector Aristizábal's life's work encompasses all three. Here is an intimate view of his coming of age in the complex and violent society of Medellín, Colombia, and how his experiences gave him insight and compassion faced with the complex and violent society he found as an immigrant to the U.S. I have witnessed just a small part of his work: bringing hope and healing to those who—like him—are survivors of torture. This book now offers his dramatic story along with his powerful ideas of healing, art, and advocacy to a wider audience." --José Quiroga, M.D., founder and medical director,
Program for Torture Victims
Honorable Mention: International Latino Book Awards
An Amnesty International Recommended Reading for Banned Books Week
Read what tatiana de la tierra wrote about the book and us here, in La Bloga.
The Blessing Next to the Wound is available in both print and e-book editions, at Lantern Books or your usual source, brick-and-mortar or on-line booksellers. Click here to order from Amazon. (If any copies remain available from distributors. Lantern Books has let it go out-of-print.)
composite photo by Nick T. Spark, from performance of Nightwind.