For this Sunday, July 12th, the focus for our
meditation will be on Conversation.
Sadly, our world has a long history of discrimination against many
oppressed groups of people. The
anti-Semitism that led to the Holocaust or the greed for land and wealth that
caused a genocide of Native Americans by early settlers are both examples of
how our hatred of those who differ from us can be so chronic and deep-rooted. When someone is raised in a group of people
who have been oppressed and has been made aware of such injustices it is
understandable that they would be offended by any modern-day instance of prejudice
against their group. Social media
provides a fertile ground for this type of hatred to be exposed. Posts documented with video footage of the ignorance
of individuals acting with prejudice unleash a hailstorm of Internet rage. Those aligned in solidarity with the victim
scream for justice, demand the offender be fired or arrested, and spew vile
remarks intended to shame or even threaten them. Recently we were shown a different type of
response. Julian Edelman is a football
player with the New England Patriots. He
happens to be Jewish, and social media posts from DeSean Jackson, a player on a
different team, were brought to his attention.
The posts were anti-Semitic in nature, and it would have been tempting
for Edelman to publicly humiliate Jackson.
Instead, he gave a thoughtful and measured reply inviting Jackson to sit
down and have a Conversation with him about what he had said. Edelman’s response was filled with empathy,
respect, and a desire to reach a real understanding between the two
individuals. This is the path to break
down the racial barriers that exist in our society. We want to learn how to communicate with each
other evenly and without anger. Until we
can hold a calm, considerate Conversation with those who think
differently we will continue to struggle to let go of our prejudices. This week in our prayer and meditation time
let us ask that all people be willing to engage in real Conversation
with those they consider to be foes. May
Spirit show us how to express ourselves with sincerity and an open-heartedness
that allows a genuine understanding to be reached.
In our efforts this week let us also continue to use the energy
of our prayers and meditation to amplify the light that covers and fills this nation. As we perform our meditation this week let us
begin by re-energizing the brilliance and power of the light we create. Just as before, begin by forming a concentrated
ball of light that is so bright it is almost impossible to look directly at it.
Raise this sphere of light up high over
the nation and then let its rays cascade down to create a solid, impenetrable
dome of light that completely covers every inch of our country. From shore to shore and border to border let
the entire continent be filled with this brilliant, dense light that will serve
to magnify the best and highest qualities of our country and the people who live
across its vast lands.
Please follow the same practice as before: Get centered in your
body, ask to bring in your guides and others who are there to assist us and connect
to the circle of others participating in this project.
Ask yourself what do I feel in my body when I have been able
to engage in a genuine Conversation with someone who held differing
views from mine? How does it feel in my body when I have been a part of a
Conversation that was filled with respect and consideration for the
other person? Then send the energy and intention of those feelings to the
nation.
Be sure to disconnect from the circle at the end and express
thanks for those who have helped us in this effort.
If you have feedback or experiences you would like to share
please let me know via e-mail to kmiritello@gmail.com
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