Trust
Life
“This
is really our basic choice: to trust in life or not to trust in life. If one
trusts in life, life will not disappoint us.”
David
Steindl-Rast, OSB
Fr. Steindl-Rast’s
quote reminds me of one of Albert Einstein’s: “The most important decision
we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.” I’ve
thought about that a lot. I have always felt as though we live in a friendly
universe, and I trust in life. I think, however, that my trust comes from a place
of privilege—I wonder if I were a black woman and not a white one, would I feel
the same? And furthermore, I wonder whether we all get to do a lifetime here in
the earth-school as a black woman or man. And would we be happier and more
compassionate if we did?
I recall,
during my year in Charlottesville in the early 1990’s, being told that many
souls were waiting to be born into this particular time and place because we
were on the precipice of major change and they wanted to participate. That
teaching came from a woman who studied with Barbara Brennen, and who spent three
months that year in meditation/prayer in the compound of a Cherokee priestess
in New England. Those souls who were waiting to be born would now be in their
late 20’s. Perhaps we saw some of them in the peaceful protests over the
weekend.
In my
world view, we are in the middle of major change—as a country and as a
planet. The universe has seen fit to give us life, and to nurture and protect human
life through millennia. Now it’s our turn. It’s our turn to decide how we want that
life to be. Do we want to enjoy the fruits of the earth in peace, as a species that
takes care of its own and cares for its habitat? Or not?
I wept—actually,
I bawled like a baby—while watching the news clips of the peaceful protests
over the weekend. I am so grateful to the people standing and marching and
demanding equal rights for all people and an end to violence. Their courage and
commitment warm my heart and give me hope. May we live up to their expectations,
especially since they waited in line to be born just so they could be part of that
change. It’s time. Let’s make it happen.
In
the Spirit,
Jane
1 comment:
These protests were not peaceful. Ask store owners and women shelters who sustained extensive damage in many cities. There has been millions spent to help many of these communities but change also has to begin not only with others but with those who feel oppressed.
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