Zen Under Fire: How I Found Peace in the Midst of War
A human rights lawyer with some experience working in the Gaza Strip, Elliott accepted an assignment with the UN peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan in 2005. On her first day, she is left in charge of the office when the leader of a tribe at war with another tribe is assassinated, signaling the failure of the UN’s attempt to negotiate peace. The intertribal strife is a proxy for tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Her experience with researching human rights abuses has not prepared her well enough for the mental and emotional turmoil she will face as she confronts the perils of war and threats of kidnapping. Elliott finds comfort in friendships, particularly with the women of Afghanistan; a sometimes rocky romance with a fellow UN worker; and yoga as she searches for calmness and assurance in her efforts to bring peace to a war-torn nation. After returning home to New Zealand, Elliott reflects on the psychological and emotional challenges of humanitarian work and the importance of bolstering the spirits of those who perform it. --Vanessa Bush