For this Sunday, July 26th, the focus for our
meditation will be on Accountability.
My first “real” job after college was as a police officer for a medium-sized
municipality. Only once in my time as a
police officer did we encounter a situation involving demonstrators. Workers at a local industrial business were
on strike, and the union brought in agitators from outside the area to provoke
unrest on the picket lines. Fortunately,
we never had to physically engage the demonstrators, and whatever prompted the
union’s grievances with management was eventually resolved. Switch to recent events in Portland that somehow
initially slipped past my awareness. I
had to Google how this entire mess escalated to its present state and still don’t
entirely understand what happened. What
I do see from accounts of fellow military veterans who are physically present is
clear abuse of force over unarmed and peaceful demonstrators. The Naval Academy graduate who was injured by
a baton-wielding officer had his hands by his sides and in no way presented a
physical threat. Unfortunately, it
appears whoever manages these forces called in to protect a federal building
may be failing to hold their members Accountable for their actions. At the same time, I am quite aware that individuals
and groups with hidden agendas love to take advantage of the opportunity such
protests provide and will use them to conceal their intent to cause damage and
incite violence. Hiding behind the “wall
of moms” may be some individuals purposely using them as cover to carry out
their desire to cause trouble. These are
complicated situations with no clear delineation of right and wrong. That said, there is no justification for the instances
of forceful over-reaction by whoever comprises these forces. It reminds me of the violence against the
peaceful demonstrations at Selma and sickens me that such abuse of authority
continues to this day. I would ask that
this week in our prayer and meditation time we send the light and energy of our
prayers to protect all those who wish to peacefully protest in Portland or
other cities. May our light bring
attention to those who are only seeking to take advantage of these situations
as well as the officers who hide behind the anonymity of their armor to abuse
others. Let this light shine brightly to
illuminate any wrongs being perpetuated so those individuals may ultimately be
held Accountable for their actions.
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 upheld my
own Accountability for my actions? How does it feel in my body when
I see those in authority hold others Accountable for abuses of power?
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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