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Bhakti

ByElizabeth

I went down to the White House and joined a prayer vigil for ceasefire and disarmament in the Middle East led by the Franciscan Action Network. Another group was beginning a march on front of the World Bank, pointing out the conflation of oil and gas dependence, continued bombing, and ecocide. Such action is bhakti (spiritual devotion), not empty prayers combined with a niceness that passively allows the status quo.

How are you living your faith?

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    In the Midst of the Turmoil

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    On Saturday, along with a few thousand other people, I went to the March for Our Lives at the base of the Washington monument.  Set out before the monument, in even rows, were thousands of vases of white and orange flowers (orange for the most recent) hundreds deaths from gun violence.  it was raining off and on; the speakers were on a platform with loud audio-video, people held signs–some expressing rage, discuss, and frustration, some suggesting productive action.  Near the vases, apart from the crowd and the noise, a person dressed in purple sat in meditation.  After spending some time in the crowd and focussing on the speakers, I went and joined the person who was sitting.  We talked a bit; Satyani acts as a “mindfulness mentor” and can be found on Facebook as “Kosmique Light Meditation.”  Satyani did not identify as a protester and felt uncomfortable fighting and felt moved to act, which was what led to coming and sitting for meditation.  I suggested, referencing Gandhi and Quaker practices, that being here meditating, holding the space, connecting with those who have died while being present for the living is very much participating in protesting.

    On Sunday (before going down to the Capitol Pride Festival), I took a class on Zoom with Michele Cassandra Johnson for Patreon subscribers.  She offered a soothing/cooling practice, and invited us to consider how we can cultivate cooling and soothing while saying amidst the fire and engaged in the fight?

    To stay in it for the intensity it is now and the life-long practice it must be, that is an essential question, the answer to which will shift depending on circumstances.

    Pictures from the March for Our Lives, the Capitol Pride Festival, and some fabulous bird sightings at Kingman and Heritage Island the Friday before, are posted on Instagram and Facebook.

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    Found Exhortation

    ByElizabeth

    As I was working with this photo in preparation to post, I received the news that two acquaintances–both active and respected members of one of my spiritual communities–died today.   Each had been ill, and both were able to be with their families.   They were inspirations of love and patience, shining lights in their own unique way, and I wish I had known them better.  How timely for me this exhortation I saw earlier this week, this reminder to face fully whatever comes.

    kiss life

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    And a Friend

    ByElizabeth

    I took a very enjoyable class this morning with Sue Elkind at Dig Yoga. It was a very full class, so the mats were several inches apart–far enough not to feel too crowded, but close enough to be able to do standing poses supporting each other.

    We did tree pose holding or pressing into the arms/hands of the people on either side of us. Sue invited is to close our eyes and lean/hold more heavily on each other to stay balanced. (It is a lot harder to balance when we close our eyes; try it if it has been a while or you’ve never tried it.)

    One of the people next to me got off balance and fell out of the pose. The instinct to keep from taking anyone else off balance was to withdraw from contact. But leaning farther into me would have increased the possibility of the other yogi regaining the pose and would have kept needed support in place for me.

    A good lesson for these stressful times that continuing to lean in for support instead of withdrawing can enhance the whole support network.

    Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.

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    Lightening Long Branch Creek with Willow Street Yogins

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    I woke and dressed myself as early as if it were a work day to take the metro and then the bus to the little playground/park where we entered the creek.  It was already promising today’s humid heat in the sun, but it was pleasant in the shade.  The group was a good size.  Large enough to get some work done, but small enough to stay easily connected.  We divided the work — path or creek — based on who wore which shoes, which allocated the cleaning well.

    It was a beautiful way to appreciate off the mat the Anusara axioms, “look for the good,” and “respond from the highest.”  As you can see from the pictures, Long Branch Creek is a lovely sanctuary of greenery and running water.  It is evidently not fresh, but it is still giving its all.  We could see the beauty, but also recognize that the creek could more powerfully share the energy of nature if it was not so dirty.  Rather than complain that the creek was dirty and dangerous and stay away from it, we were invited to appreciate both what it is and what it could be and got our feet wet and ourselves dirty to be with the creek.  I wish it weren’t necessary, and I will be looking for more ways to try and contribute less waste, but I think in the meantime, it would be right to do this more often.