The other day on one of my now only occasional walks out, I saw a man on the ground at the entrance to the CVS and several cops. Rather than trying to stay completely away, the first thing I did was get out my own phone and then only walked on when I had confirmed that someone else was already standing witness and filming. Earlier in my life, to film would not have been my first reaction. I’ve also had unfortunate opportunity to be called to help out in the face of witnessing harassment more than once since 2015. We all should know what to do. Here’s a good resource:
https://www.afsc.org/bystanderintervention?emci=d4f309b3-0e1a-eb11-96f5-00155d03bda0&emdi=03d69ace-741b-eb11-96f5-00155d03bda0&ceid=319218&utm_source=weekendreading103120&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekendreading
Sometimes the optimal way to move forward is first to stop, look around, and make room for others, too, to move forward, as need be.
I always find articles on the “spiritual” practices of the rich and famous fascinating. Does reading this article make you more or less interested in your own practice or does it not make any difference to you at all? Contemplation on which is your answer (might be a combination) is sure to give insight to your relationship both to society and to your practice.
