For this Sunday, November 15th, the focus for our meditation will be on Bridges. Research by the Pew Institute shows our country is as polarized now as we were at the time of the Civil War. The political left and political right have become more radicalized moving further and further toward their extremes, and the moderate middle appears to be shrinking. Facing a similarly divided nation, President Abraham Lincoln wrote, “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” Four years ago, after a very divisive election, a bipartisan group of people formed an organization called, “Better Angels.” They did something no one thought they could do – they held workshops all over the country and brought together Trump supporters and Clinton supporters to engage in civil discourse. Each side explained why they held the opinions they did, and the other side listened. Earlier this year the group changed their name to “Braver Angels” because they recognized the need for even more courage to Bridge the expanding divide. To quote from their website, “To meet the current moment, at this time of national crisis, we need more than civility. We need to challenge ourselves to work together when we disagree.” I believe organizations like Braver Angels are needed to help heal this country. We must find a way to build Bridges that allow us to remain connected and have open and honest channels of communication. I believe we can do that with the help of organized grass-roots efforts such as the ones this organization has fostered. Please check out their website at braverangels.org, and may we all be inspired to build Bridges in our own communities. This week in our prayer and meditation time let us recognize the importance of establishing Bridges to reconnect across a divide. May the light and energy of our prayers help spread a wave of Bridge-building across this nation that will bring the healing we so desperately need.
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 worked to create Bridges with those who differ from me? How does it feel in my body when I appreciate the importance of Bridge-building in not allowing divisions to widen? 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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