On "Standing in the Light of Unity - Prayers for America" - from a small gathering at Light Omega

Last night I was at a small gathering at Light Omega.  It's a monthly event, and it’s live online too (next one is March 20)  now called “Standing in the Light of Unity - Prayers for America”.

Over the past several months, I had overall been upholding light within myself in response to the events related to leadership in the United States government, despite the huge problems that I have been aware of.  However recently felt that I was losing hold in some way of the uprightness with which I had been able to uphold inner truth and love despite the troubling nature of events related to the country's elected leadership that we have been bearing witness to.

I felt moved at this small gathering, as it came to light that, because of the pain of witnessing what is happening in the country, I could slip at times into ways of feeling condemnation toward particular people in leadership positions for not being more aware or conscious of the harm of their actions.  To this extent, I had lost track of remembering the essential truth that all people are souls, worthy of respect simply because they are human beings.  While I can strongly, firmly, vigorous disagree with policies, or oppose behaviors that I believe cause harm, when I lose track of love and respect for the being of another, then I become part of the very ways of harm I would otherwise want to oppose.

What I realized is that it is when I lose faith that Light ultimately will prevail (over the darkness that obscures peoples’ access to deeper truth and heart) then out of that sense of helplessness I can go into a place of accusing others for not being more conscious.  Yet, who am I to accuse others of not being more conscious?  Have there not been, and continue to be, many thing of which I am not conscious?   And, to the extent I am aware or conscious of some things,  that has come through a learning process and experience over time; “Consciousness was not built in a day”.  And while I may feel, in the process of waiting for consciousness to expand, or even while encouraging consciousness to expand, more harm is done while waiting for this to occur... I cannot abrogate the basic decency of respect for one another, and then think this in any way would hasten the ending of harm, when it would in fact add to it.

When I am centered in light, then I can find the capacity to commit to bearing the pain and suffering that the world goes through as a result harmful actions and policies… without myself acting out darkness inwardly, or outwardly.  From that place of seeking to stay centered in love, and thus in light, I can trust more in my own capacity to bring light as well.  And, through this commitment, I then actually come to know inside myself (and in my interactions with others) the way by which the world truly changes.  To the extent that I stay in a place of love, and that I don’t separate from love in my approach to any person, I learn to embody the unity of our common humanity that I wish for in the world.

From this place, I can still disagree with, or see harm in, or oppose, the actions or policies of others.  I can be aware of unconsciousness, deception, manipulation, justification, self-serving, lack of awareness, and range of other motivations that people may be affected by, and that they may not be aware of or may not see an alternative to.  I can choose to speak, or act, in regard to actions or policies I see as harmful.  I can seek to point out where darkness appears to be obscuring the capacity for making choices that would be beneficial, rather than harmful.  And  I can do these things while respecting (and not judging) the essential soul and being of another, and of all people - and must not condemn any others for beliefs or points of view that others may hold.  I can affirm our essential unity with each other and with all humanity, through how I interact with others and through my inner attitudes - rather than abandoning the very Unity with others, founded in love, that is the essential cornerstone of the future we seek to create.

[Note: after writing this, I am still aware places within myself, or people in regard to whom, I find this can for me be difficult to find a way to do. And so, as in initial way to deal with this, I found that words of  Jesus: "Forgive them, Father, they know not what they do" - point me in the right direction.]


Toward the end of the gathering last night, we read this prayer, by Julie:

"Prayer for the Upliftment of a People" (click link for full text)

“Now, in this time of turbulence and division within America, may those forces that seek love and unity gain strength and assurance that no matter what obstacles or opposition may be encountered, the future of this nation is assured. This future is meant to bring in the consciousness of Oneness based in Divine truth, and it has already begun.

We pray that those who presently seek other goals or give credence to forces that would seek to divide this nation be brought lovingly to the place of truth within their own hearts where the understanding of Unity dwells, and where respect for the sacredness of all of life is a principle of the soul.”