Saturday, September 26, 2020

Thy life's a miracle

 Since I can't vote in the US election, like everybody except American citizens, one is left to watch, hope and pray that American citizens will take their responsibility, and their opportunity, seriously to return the world back to some sort of balance, harmony and unity.

I happened to meet someone out walking yesterday and we were saying how lucky we are to be Australians. We conform to rules. We accept lock downs in an effort to keep the vulnerable safe. We care about others. We do things for the greater good. 

In my city we have been under curfew for months. Right now, the curfew has been eased so that we can be out of our houses for a few specific and vital reasons until 9 pm. 'That wouldn't fly here,' said an American friend.

The friend in the street agreed that the Greeks wouldn't tolerate it either. But, apart from a bit of grumbling here and there, we are tolerant of the restrictions. We see the point, the plan; the reasoning, based on best medical advice.

My friend happened to have a pet emergency last night and as he drove to have the dog operated on, across several suburbs, he met not another car on the street. Honestly, we comply.

I admit I am nostalgic right now for a better America. (American was my home for 11 years and I love the place.) I watched the whole SBS 'Hillary' documentary this week, and interviews with various members of the Bush family. What kind and decent people they are, and Laura and  George produced two really 'beautiful in spirit' young women.

Then, I spent time yesterday afternoon watching Supreme Court Justice Ginsberg in conversation at a few law schools. She was so considerate and gentle with the students, so well aware that behind all her decisions were people. I loved the line, 'You can disagree without being disagreeable.'

Anything that divides masses of people, anything at all, is really such a bad idea. It goes against the law of mankind, people living together on the one planet; that you treat people as you would want them to treat you. It's that simple. Haven't we learned this over the centuries a hundred times over?

Who actually wants a man like Donald Trump as their leader? The lies, the accusations, the false statements; the vendettas; the thirst for love and approval displayed on the world stage. Which other President of the United States in modern time has even come close to creating such acrimony, such division; such disgust?

On a spiritual level, the World Wide Web created the opportunity for the West to learn about the open hearted kindness, gratitude and tranquility practices of the East. It felt hopeful. Imagine if people across the Globe developed awareness! Imagine all the people, living life in peace!

I do feel we are at a crossroads. There are people so fearful for the sake of the planet they believe, based on evidence available, that we may be the last people to walk this Earth. 

For the sake of the world at this time, we need a new direction. Nothing is more important for you to do in your American lives than to get out and vote. What possible plausible reason can you give for not attending to this civic responsibility? Please, vote.

Friday, September 18, 2020

Doing nothing

 There are people who pick up on other people's energy - positive energy and negative energy. I am one of them. The sensitivity to all the energy out there is so profound that there are times when I, and people like me, need to be alone. You don't need to be a meditator but if you are inclined to absorb the energies about you, time to sit quietly with eyes closed and just breathe is important.

As I do that now, my mind comes into the present moment where everything is...absolutely fine. The house and its surrounds are quiet. There is a sort of vague buzzing, maybe in my ears, but it seems more than that; like I am noticing the energy of my environment.

A minute ago I noticed the rumble of a truck on the freeway in the distance and just now a van of some sort passed down the street on which I live.

I have no desire for company whatsoever but I did open the front door a little this morning (not the security door) with a support, so that the postal man knew I was there, since the front door bell is not operating. I look forward to warmer weather when that little symbol of the world outside my door, an open front door, is in place. It hasn't been a cold winter at all but the winter symbolizes COVID and the introduction of Spring suggests that maybe things are improving.

In fact, things are improving. My city is still locked down. We still have a curfew. Practically everything is still closed. Yet, there are fewer cases every day. By the end of October some services can operate; surgery will be largely resumed for the unwell.

I live in a city that is very cafe latte/chardonnay imbibing. We love socializing. There are constantly food markets and fairs, football games, cricket matches; festivals. I am wondering if it will almost be too much. We used to have so much to choose from it was almost overwhelming. It almost felt wrong to be at home for the weekend. 

In fact, I remember that when someone asked what you did over the weekend, it seemed wrong to say you gardened, or wrote, or read. You needed, it seemed to me, to report a gathering of some sort or going somewhere to see something in particular. I wonder if we will be more inclined to be still or if we will go mad; run from one event and activity to another.

The world runs on momentum. We keep moving. That seems right. Plan something. Do something. I know I feel better in a state of momentum; not too much, but enough.

Sometimes, I ask myself, what are we moving towards? Why can't we sit in the one place and just BE? Why the guilt about that? Are we social losers if we enjoy alone time?

I close my eyes, right hand resting on my chin. I hear birds chirping. I notice the breath rising and falling in my chest. I feel my feet connected to the floor below me. Now, I hear the reverberation of the refrigerator; ever so slight. And, an aeroplane flying over me; the clicking of the laptop keyboard. 

I begin to feel connected to you; the anonymous reader that might run an eye over these words. Do you ever feel what I feel? Do you need to connect in with your own body; to live in your senses? Do you notice the moment by moment passing of time that lies behind all the momentum of the world? Do you, like I, feel energized by stopping long enough to take the time to listen?