“As human beings, we have the power to uproot hatred and fear from our hearts, to dispel the ignorance in our minds, and to come to each other’s aid in times of need.
White supremacy and racism are older than any of us. We didn’t create the illness, but it’s our responsibility to be part of the cure. There is no simple answer, no “one thing” for all of us to do. But there is something for each of us to do. Each of us has a role to play in the healing of our world. Loving well means caring for one another and standing up for justice.
Stay resourced. Bear witness. Open your heart and make space to feel what’s there.”
-Oren Jay Sofer,
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher & Non-Violent Communication Facilitator
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Q. How are we supposed to treat others?
A. There are no others.
– Ramana Maharshi
***
We practice yoga to feel MOR, open to MOR, become MOR of who we are beyond our preconceived notions, conditioning, preferences and aversions. It can be easy, it can be really hard, not always effortless, but always possible. If we can become more aware of our whole body when practicing asana, we become MOR present to what is taking place in the moment, the mind settles into single-pointedness and we glimpse the Self that is beyond the mind’s chatter and into the fullness and spaciousness of life.
We are being asked—and will continue to be asked, certainly for the remainder of this year—to keep opening up to great changes and to make great changes within our own hearts, communities and environments. That requires a lot of conscious breathing and steadfastness. If we are responsible and compassionate with ourselves when fear arises then the transparency of fear is experienced. That doesn’t mean it isn’t scary or that we always know how to digest and assimilate fear, but it does mean we can experience this emotion before it becomes something else outside of ourselves like the boogeyman, like racism… Stay steady, stay connected—to yourself and to others—turn to the practices that you know and love to help you navigate these unrestful times.
We are all in this together. Take action.
🙏 Hare Om, David
ACTION:
To assist in re-building businesses owned by my black neighbors in the Bay Area:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/bay-area-black-owned-business-relief-fund
For my white friends and students, a few resources to fill in the historical gaps left out of our “American” education
EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE
MICHELLE ALEXANDER, THE NEW JIM CROW
INNOCENCE PROJECT
SEEING WHITE
CHENJERAI KUMANYIKA
TA-NEHISI COATES
UNITED STATES of ANXIETY, with KAI WRIGHT
COLSON WHITEHEAD