“And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.” And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.” And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.” ~Kitty O’Meara
It is wonderful to read so many inspiring poems and prose on Facebook such as the above poem written by Kitty O’Meara. I feel the two most important phrases in this piece are: “And the people began to think differently” and “made new choices.” Our Annual Theme is “2020: The Collective Awakening” was visioned in December 2019 long before the signs of the upcoming pandemic were seen. And yet Spirit revealed a new direction for our collective lives was about to take place. We are called to shift into a new paradigm of Oneness, Unity, and a Reverence for all life. In making this shift, we cannot live the way we have up to this moment. This is to say, we can no longer live as separate and isolated cogs in a machine but must awaken to the inter-dependence and inter-connection of all creation. We are now called to live in balance and harmony with all creation. This is the paradigm of “We” consciousness. This is the gift of the pandemic. The response to the COVID-19 outbreak is in fact isometric exercise to strengthen our spiritual muscles of awareness and intention. In “sheltering in place,” we have been an opportunity to enter a deeper spiritual practice of daily meditation, prayer, and contemplation of what really matters in life. This response calls us to be more mindful and intentional in our daily living and perhaps begin to live from the “We” consciousness. Our prayers shift from praying for our own healing and survival to pray knowing the highest and best of all creation (more than just people). Already we are seeing the effects environmentally with the decrease of frantic activity – the air and waters are clearing, the traffic and noise is quieting, and the birds are singing. We are beginning to see what it looks and feels like to live in balance! We are blessed with a healthy spiritual community and with so many ways to communicate via online. We are busy setting up structures to support our community while we shelter in place. Our Practitioner Core will be calling each one of you just to check in and connect. We will be offering online prayer time. We will be offering short online classes. And of course, we will collectively meet each Sunday morning. Please stay in touch. Call or text one another. And please let us know of your special needs and ideas for connecting. We are here for you!
Love and Blessings,
Rev Eunice
