Beloved Community
one in which problems and conflicts exist
but are resolved peacefully and without bitterness.
In the Beloved Community caring and compassion drive political polices that support
the worldwide elimination of poverty and hunger and all forms of bigotry and violence.
The Beloved Community is a state of heart and mind,
a spirit of hope and goodwill that transcends all boundaries and barriers
and embraces all creation.
At its core, the Beloved Community is an engine of reconciliation.
This way of living seems a long way from the kind of world we have now,
but I do believe it is a goal that can be accomplished
through courage and determination and through education and training,
if enough people are willing to make the necessary commitment.”
I read these words.
My heart stirs.
The Beloved Communities in My Life—
Girl Scout Camp Archbald
My little-girl, tightly-squeezed-shut heart relaxes.
The things that seem to matter,
The things that separate me,
My differences,
Don’t suffocate me here.
My stuttering,
My fear of talking,
My wanting to kiss girls.
Here,
I am able.
Here I am competent.
Here in the neutrality
And the inclusiveness
Of this good place,
Here on these sacred trails,
Here in this sweet Lake Ely,
Consecrated by decades
Of girl scout pee—
Here I am free.
Here I am redeemed.
Here I am given
A piece,
Just a sliver
More
Of who
I really am.
Here
I belong.
I am redeemed.
I am found
Through this
Kind community.
~~~
The Kripalu Ashram
At first,
My self-consciousness
Reigns.
I didn’t know how—
To?
Do?
What?
To do yoga?
To meditate?
To be spiritual?
Isn’t that why
I’m here,
To learn?
But I didn’t know how
To
Not
Know
How.
Oh, so slowly,
I learn.
Slowly,
Oh,
So
Slowly,
My voice emerges.
Slowly
So
Slowly,
I relax
Into not knowing.
Slowly,
So
Slowly
I
Relax
Into being
One
Among
Many.
Into enjoying
My self.
Into savoring
The journey.
Into caring
For others.
Into opening
My heart.
Into caring for myself.
My voice,
My own voice
Strengthens.
Slowly
Through
The love,
Through
Commitment,
Through intentions,
I am home.
More home
Inside and out.
I am redeemed.
I am found
Through the love
Of this community.
~~~
The Kripalu Programs I Teach.
Into which we choose to live?
Let’s create that world
For these few days
Together.
What do we choose?
We choose
Safety.
We choose
Equity.
We choose
Non-judgment
And
Kindness.
We choose kindness.
We choose ourselves
As we are.
We choose each other
As we are.
Then everything,
All of who we really are
Can emerge.
A brief, yet everlasting
Beloved community is born.
We are redeemed.
We are home.
We are found
Through the love
Of our Kripalu program community.
~~~
Friends, here is a classic from the brilliant, the profound Bob Marley. In my heart, this song lands like a musical iteration of Dr. King’s message. Please listen with the lyrics (below). Enjoy:
Redemption Song
~~~
Lyrics—Redemption Song
Old pirates, yes, they rob I
Sold I to the merchant ships
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit
But my hand was made strong
By the hand of the Almighty
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly
Won’t you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
‘Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
‘Cause none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look? Ooh!
Some say it’s just a part of it
We’ve got to fulfill the book
Won’t you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
‘Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Whoa! Have no fear for atomic energy
‘Cause none of them-ah can-ah stop-ah the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look?
Yes, some say it’s just a part of it
We’ve got to fulfill the book
Won’t you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
‘Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs
All I ever have
Redemption songs
These songs of freedom
Songs of freedom
~~~
Friends,
What communities
Of heart and mind
Have blessed you?
How do you take
Those blessings
Into the world?
How do you,
How do we
Continue
To create
Beloved
Communities?
~~~
Dear Friends,
Grant us
The serenity
To accept the things
We cannot change,
The courage
To change the things
We can.
And the wisdom
To know
The difference.
May all beings
Be blessed
By the words
We share.
May the highest unfold
For all,
Aruni