Wow. I came up out of the metro to this extraordinary fiery sky show. When I invite others to look, mostly, like today, they just think I am mad. But sometimes there is a shared spark of recognition of the very grandeur and wonder of being.
My adorable new neighbor appears in the photo to be outside looking in with me taking a picture from inside looking out. From the perspective of who was in the house and who was standing on the sidewalk, it was of course the was the opposite.
The paradoxical illusion in the photo led me to think about moksha — the yoga concept of liberation.
What I get from the various teachings for my own living practice is that to experience freedom in this embodiment we need to be able simultaneously to be on the inside looking out–from our individual embodiment appreciating a sense of universal connection–and also be on the outside looking in–bringing back to particularized embodied action what spaciousness we learn from practice and study.
Cardinal eying the baby chard. I really ought to start greens inside. Ganesha looks on. The still exuberant saga in front of him was three times the size. It was not hard to find people who wanted some. I also have been offering lots of mint and yarrow. Locals, let me know any time you want to know what’s available for sharing.
I received the following email last night from Move-On. I pass it on to all of you, who, I am sure are also grieving deeply and praying for those who were the direct victims of these hideous violence, and who also are concerned for all who have been and continue to be impacted by the policies and mindsets that contribute to the environment in which such acts arise:
Dear MoveOn member,
This is a tragic day for America.
As you may have already heard, Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 17 other people were shot today at an event near Tucson.
Right now, Rep. Giffords is in critical condition, and there are reports are that at least five people have been killed, including a young child of about nine years old and Justice John M. Roll, the chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona.
Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy. We’ve created a Facebook page where we can all post prayers and thoughts for Rep. Giffords, the other victims and their families. You can find it here:
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205705&id=25753-1983776-0_o0QGx&t=1
Gabrielle Giffords is an up-and-coming, shining star in Congress. Anyone who’s been around her will tell you that she’s smart, passionate, and one of the hardest working members of Congress. Robert Reich, one of her mentors, once said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s the first or second female president of the United States.”1
Judge Roll started his legal career as a bailiff in the Pima County Superior Court and worked his way all the way to the federal bench. He was appointed by President George H. W. Bush in 1991 and began serving as presiding judge in 2006.
This is such a terrible, confusing, awful thing. Please join us in sending your prayers and wishes to those who are suffering tonight. Here again is the link:
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205705&id=25753-1983776-0_o0QGx&t=2
–Justin, Adam, Amy, Anna, Annie, Carrie, Christopher, Daniel, David, Duncan, Eli, Emily, Gail, Ian, Ilya, Ilyse, Kat, Laura, Lenore, Mariana, Marika, Matthew, Melanie, Michael, Milan, Nita, Peter, Robin, Ryan, Susannah, Stephen, Steven, and Tim
