Cleansing Rain

The clouds had shed enough moisture to wash away the lingering ashes and leave our trees dripping. The air smelled clean again – or as clean as it ever does in this century. The birds were chirping, and the neighbors were sending their children outdoors while they prepared the biggest meal of the year.

Thanksgiving (a modern harvest festival, when we come together to give thanks for peace and plenty). But, I’d just heard about a terrorist attack in Mumbai, India. Over 120 dead, 300 injured, not in a sudden explosion, but by the shots of armed men. Men twisted and distorted.

Hearing of this, I’d set aside the sweet potatoes I was peeling, stepped outside, and sat in the clean air beneath the weeping trees. There I moved into my heart…

Breathe in, drawing light down from above the head.

Breathe out, pushing light up through the top of the head.

Breathe in and out, in and out…

Become aware of the music of the heart, beating in time with the one life.

Become aware of that same music, sounding in the heart of all men – of everyone everywhere.

Become aware of the twisted distortions within humanity, and sound the music of the heart within them – soothing and calming humanity.

As humanity in the heart, breathe in, drawing light down from above the head.

In and out, in and out, becoming at-one with the music of the heart of humanity.

Then, having achieved inner harmony, I released a final breathe, returned to my normal awareness, and walked back inside to finish peeling the sweet potatoes.