LIBERATION

A Tibetan meditation master once prayed
“All those I fly over,
may they all be liberated.”
It is comforting to know
that at some point,
he prayed for me.

What if we did the same.
What if we prayed for those
to the east of us,
to the west,
to the north, and
to the south of us?

What if we prayed for all in
and on the earth,
that which is in the air,
temporarily or permanently,
that which is in the water
and or fire?
What if we remembered to pray
for the liberation of
all things,
places,
and people?
How much different
would the world be

MY INDEPENDENCE DAY

Yesterday was the 4th of July. I have mixed feelings about this holiday. On the one hand, I have these amazing memories of picnics, time with family barbecuing hot dogs and hamburgers, swimming in our pool, eating watermelon and then going to the fireworks at night. As an adult, however, I have found that I struggle with celebrating a day that celebrates Independence from those we considered subjugating only to do the same to others. At the same time, every year there are people we know who are looking for a space to gather with friends and family and so the spiritual being in me feels called to open our doors and host our now annual Fourth of July potluck barbecue. This year, I think I came to a space where I could participate in this day in a new way. I have come to a place where I can honor the memories of the past, the inequalities that continue to exist today, be of service to the other beings in the Universe, and at the same time have a deeply personal reason to celebrate. So this year I celebrated my personal independence day.

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