Being a Contemplative at a Time Like This

1/12/21

Dear friend,

When the attack on the Capitol was happening last week, I was in a creative workshop led by two members of the Light House community who were guiding us in the creation of new year mandalas and prayer flags.

As part of the workshop, I answered the question "What is my universal intention for this year?" with one word: groundedness.

In response to the question "Am I being invited to play a dynamic role in these changing times?," I wrote two words: contemplative way.

(And can we pause for a moment to acknowledge the beauty of these questions? I invite you to consider how you might answer them for yourself!)

Then we exited the workshop and were greeted by what was happening in DC.

What is the contemplative way at a time like this? Does it even matter? What does groundedness look like? Do we even need it?

One thing I know is that the contemplative way is not the predominant way of our culture.

• The culture says, "Get scared!" The contemplative way says, "Pause and breathe."
  
  

• The culture says, "They're wrong and we're right!" The contemplative way says, "How can they, or this, be my teacher?"
  
  

• The culture says, "Let's hurry up and get past this uncomfortable, hard part!" The contemplative way says, "Let's listen to wisdom and do what's necessary for true justice and healing."
  
  

• The culture says, "They're evil, and we're righteous!" The contemplative way says, "Every single person carries the divine spark."
  
  

• The culture says, "Can't we all just get along?" The contemplative way says, "Justice requires hearing and seeing the truth in order to get to wholeness."

Now, this is hard, right? I find one of the greatest gifts of the contemplative way is also one of its hardest aspects: holding seemingly opposed realities together.

For example, I've been holding a huge tension this week between condemning acts of insurrection and beliefs in white supremacy alongside my belief in the worth, value, and divine imprint in those who committed those acts and hold those beliefs.

In the Light House community this week, we talked about it as holding the tension of justice and humility together. This is not easy work. But it's part of the work I'm called to do as a contemplative. And I do believe it is part of our gift to the world in these times.

Do you agree? How is your own contemplative posture helping you hold the events of this past week? What are you learning and noticing as you sit with all that's happened?

Yours in contemplative light,
Christianne