Acknowledgments
I would like to share my heartfelt gratitude to my parents who have supported me unconditionally and have always so generously shared their love and encouragement.
I would like to appreciate the students, faculty, and staff of the University for Peace, including all of my professors, and the 2005-2006 Gender and Peace Building class in particular. My dear classmates taught me much more than I could have learned from lectures or books. -I wish you all a world full of peace.
Special thanks to Dina Rodriguez who has loyally supported my endeavors at UPEACE, and Amr Abdalla for his contagious enthusiasm and for enriching my understanding of research methodologies. And thanks to Alessandro Cordero, for his brilliant technical assistance.
I would also like to thank Rachna Toshniwal for introducing me to prison meditation practices, bringing me relevant materials from India, and encouraging me to do Vipassana. Also, special thanks to Rachna's uncle Arun for so thoughtfully sending me research materials and “The Art of Living.” You have both touched my life in a meaningful way. -Namaste.
Me gusteria agradecer la comunidad de Ciudad Colon, y en particular mi familia Tica para su apoyo y amor. Gracias por hacerme sentir a casa y por todo su generosidad.
I would like to acknowledge Vipassana El Salvador, and all those who hosted the course and shared metta with me. A special thanks to Silvia Escorel for her enthusiasm for my research topic.
I would like to appreciate Robert Ayres, who unknowingly influenced my research topic through his faith in meditation.
Special thanks to my former co-workers at Tahoe Women's Services. I learned so much working with all of you which has inspired me to keep working to prevent VAW.
Special thanks my dear friends Rosalind Williams, Anna Carla Lopez, Wendy Geise, and Molly Batchelder for their inspiration and support.
In addition, I would like to thank Matthew Norton for his insightful comments and suggestions. -Thank you for being such a positive force.
Lastly, I would like to thank all of the all of the individuals who responded to my emails for honestly sharing your opinions, experiences, and insight on the matter. I am truly inspired by all of those working towards ending DV, as well as those who teach meditation to help end suffering. Thank you for the great work that you do.
May all beings be happy! May all beings be peaceful! May all beings be liberated!
-Namaste-