No Justice, No Peace
This is the Hindu deity Shiva as Nataraja, the divine dancer.
Shiva is The Destroyer, dancing in a circle of flames. He destroys in order to create, tearing down to build again.
And right now, Shiva is dancing wild, hair whirling, flames flying, trampling on the demon of ignorance.
The fire of fighting for justice has been burning for centuries. This is a time of staggering pain and requires all of us to participate. In particular, white folks have work to do.
Perhaps, like me, you are afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing. I struggled with whether or not to send this letter; my heart told me silence was not the answer. We will get it wrong sometimes. And we will learn to do better, but only if we practice.
What does practicing look like? It's different for each of us. What I know is being distraught and feeling terrible about what's happening is not practicing.
Practicing is taking action. Just like in Yoga.
Yoga has some-thousand years of practicing looking inward, of shedding, of peeling back the layers of conditioning and insidious belief systems and lack of personal culpability until we get to the deepest possible understanding of ourselves.
This is not for the faint of heart. In fact, it's ugly. It takes incredible courage and humility. And I believe it is the reason we are here. Supremacy won't undo itself and will take more - much more - than we have been doing.
There's a shortlist of resources at the end of this letter.
I also know we do better when we are in our bodies. From making decisions, taking steps, doing research, having non-defensive conversations -- all better when we are resourced and in our bones.
For a moment of holding, here's a free Gentle Yoga practice.
As I do my own work of peeling back the layers of ignorance and subconscious programming, I know that one of my roles is masterful holding of space for others to do their own investigations. This is the last chance to join Depth is the Remedy if you are ready to take practice into action.
To my BIPOC friends: I stand with you. I'm listening and taking action. As much as you are able, take care of yourself. Sleep, eat, drink water. For the sake of everything good, if you are on the front lines -- of COVID, of the protests -- treat yourself gently.
With you,
Michelle
Anti-Racist Resources
Donate to bailout funds for organizers and protesters.
Ending police violence.
Sacramento Library book list.
Watch this.
Michelle Marlahan
Where Self Care becomes Soul Care
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