A friend from India writes today of the patriarchy that Gandhi inspired with his leadership and how that continues in India even now. He calls it an archetype, expecting our leaders to do the "right thing". It seems to me that we elect leaders that represent us, the people. What in us is militaristic, or called to domination, or a feeling that ours is the only and right way? How do we soften, and in that, strengthen our stance, both individually, and as a community?
This is not a weekend to judge, but simply a weekend to pause, honor and reflect.
I continue to think of Elsa Gindler's words on feeling what it does to us to make a fist, rather than to relax with palms open to receive and give.
And I balance that with these words by Rumi;
Birdwings by Rumi
Your grief for what you've lost lifts a mirror
up to where you're bravely working.
Expecting the worst, you look, and instead
here's the joyful face you've been wanting to see.
Your hand opens and closes and opens and closes.
If it were always a fist or always stretched open,
you would be paralyzed.
Your deepest presence is in every small contracting and expanding,
the two as beautifully balanced and coordinated
as bird wings.
