I have been musing on the Occupy movement these last few weeks. We are rising in response to a society run amok, that has lost touch with the very people its institutions were supposed to serve and protect. Nonetheless, I have been watching the protests with concern because rising up without focus can contribute to violence and chaos rather than combating those divisive forces.
Just now, however, I think I have hit upon something. Change begins within each one of US. We are the only ones that change us. Change yourself first, look into the mirror and really look at yourself, and then you can truly begin to change the world around you. Occupy Yourself. Be present, fully occupying who you are and your right sized place I the world. By doing so, you help others to see that they, too, can do this; this kind of inner beacon shines out and calls others up as well.
Rise up,Occupy Yourself to the fullest. Then, and only then, reach out to help the next being to rise up.
This works, and is necessary.
Hearing Star talk, quietly before ritual Saturday evening, about the grass-roots actions being proposed, talked over, voted on, by general assemblies of folks at these Occupy gatherings, sounds to me like some real, and potentially very positive, things will coalesce out of the current chaos inherent in folks coming together with so far perhaps not much more in mind than standing up (or sitting meditation) together to say, we want something different, something better. I'm not in a space to go march in the streets and risk violence or arrest, but I'm watching things unfold with great curiosity, and deeply interested in conversations with thoughtful people of every stripe.
I agree that as with Metta Compassion practice, centering is necessary before one can send one's own light shining outward.
Thank you for shining there.
Posted by: Ru Temple | October 30, 2011 at 08:10 PM