Motivations to Practice
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This, and also…
When I was on the bus to go to Meeting for Worship, police officers boarded the bus and came up to young couple with an infant who had been sitting quietly and minding their own business. The police said they just wanted to talk and they also insisted they get off the bus because the police weren’t going to be holding up the bus. Even though the police wouldn’t answer why they were stopping them, the family got off the bus.
I managed to have the presence of mind to record the interaction, being obvious and also quietly in my seat. I held the phone horizontally, recorded the police, not those under scrutiny, etc.
When the bus was moving towards the next stop, I saw National Guard walking briskly in the direction of where the police had been.
The challenge is how to be aware and alert, to be responsive, to help in the fight, and also remain lovingly present, to hold all present and impacted in the light.
I saw other clutches of National Guards throughout the residential parts of the city. I choose not to find my peace of mind by becoming inured to their ubiquitous presence.
In War There Are No Unwounded Soldiers
How do you live to lessen the causes of war? I believe this memorial is meant to glorify soldiers and their grit. I find it a call to wage peace.
Image of panels from American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, Washington, DC. —“In war there are no unwounded soldiers.” Signs Around Town
We will all need as much compassion as possible–for others and ourselves–for the great amount of work ahead of there is to be any meaningful healing and sustainability.
State of the Garden
I practice the physical yoga postures to enhance and maintain the flexibility, agility, balance, and strength I need to get about my daily life, for example clambering about the vertical garden. Balance beam in high school was also helpful preparation.
