March 25, 2020

Road signs showing every direction is barred. Route Recalculation
March 25, 2020

Namaste Friends,

We had a very low-key but heart-warming Zoom Hindu Life meet-up today. These times are meant for sharing and exploring how we are doing in this unusual time.

There’s a lot to process and this forum is meant to offer not just a safe space, but a brave space. What does that mean? It is a term that arises out of diversity and social justice work and was introducted to me by Mickey Scottbey Jones,  Here is her poem, an invitation to join, which I am humbly and hopefully offering to you:

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Together we will create brave space.

Because there is no such thing as a “safe space” —
We exist in the real world.
We all carry scars and we have all caused wounds.
In this space
We seek to turn down the volume of the outside world,
We amplify voices that fight to be heard elsewhere,
We call each other to more truth and love.
We have the right to start somewhere and continue to grow.
We have the responsibility to examine what we think we know.
We will not be perfect.
This space will not be perfect.
It will not always be what we wish it to be.
But
It will be our brave space together,
and
We will work on it side by side.

by Micky ScottBey Jones

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We are all coping with unfurling news, unraveling expectations and our emotional and physical reactions to the fast-paced changes in our lives. Hindu philsophers knew that change is inevitable and offered practical advice on how to manage change. The Chopra Center offers free online guided meditations. In this time of rapid change I suggest trying The Third Chakra meditation, by Davidji, who observes “Allowing change is the antidote to suffering.”  

What do we need in these times? We need to remember that our natural state is joy. And we can find it even during these dark moments. From the Atharva Veda XIX, 60, 1-2:

May the wind blow us joy,

may the sun shine down joy on us, 

may our days pass with joy,

may the night be a gift

of joyful peace!

May the dawn bring us joy at its coming!

Please consider yourselves invited into a brave space with me - next Wednesday, 6 pm. Email me for a Zoom link.

With love and light,

Asha