September 2020 Blog - Theme is "Integration"
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Photo by Jose Rios
In the month of September we begin to integrate all that has 2020 has brought us so far and that is a great deal of change. As we begin to try to assimilate all of this, I would like to remind you to be gentle with yourself. There is no playbook or one size fits all solutions to the challenges of this year. The journey is both collective AND individual.
“Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself.”
September is the month of the Autumn Equinox - this year it falls on 9/22/20. The word “equinox” comes from Latin aequus, meaning “equal,” and nox, “night.” On the equinox, day and night are roughly equal in terms of length. During the equinox, the Sun crosses what we call the “celestial equator”—an imaginary extension into space of Earth’s equator line. The equinox occurs precisely when the Sun’s center passes through this line. When the Sun crosses the equator from north to south, this marks the autumnal equinox; when it crosses from south to north, this marks the vernal equinox. Source: Farmer’s Almanac
September is the month we honor those who lost their lives on 9/11/01. Like everything else in 2020, this year the remembrance will be different. But thanks to the incredible “Tunnel to Towers Foundation” the tribute in lights WILL illuminate the sky in lower Manhattan on 9/11 as they have for many years now. Many other aspects of this annual ceremony will move virtual. Just another thing that is “different this year”. If you are not familiar with the amazing charity, I encourage you to learn more by visiting their website: https://tunnel2towers.org/
For the past several years, my friend and I have travelled to Omega in Rhinebeck NY at the beginning of September to participate in their Ecstatic Chant weekend. It has become a bit of a tradition for us. We love seeing Deva Premal and Krishna Das in particular. Alas, like everything else in 2020 – we need to pivot to something else or at least modify our expectations. I find myself a bit sad to not be experiencing the power and energy of being together in a crowd singing with such incredible kirtan masters.
Chanting is a spiritual practice known in Sanskrit as kirtan. Devotional chanting awakens a longing in the heart for the experience of inner silence, boundless love, and intimate union with the divine. Emerging from Hindu traditions in India, kirtan is practiced by millions of people. The call-and-response, rhythmic quality of these unifying chants kindles an exhilarating, joyful mood and is accepted as one of the surest paths to enlightenment. In recent years, pioneering musicians and seekers have brought this magical tradition to the West. Source: Deva Premal
So in keeping with the theme that normally I would have started my September with devotional chanting, I share here some of the insights of Krishna Das also known by the nickname “KD”. These insights of his really resonated with me during this time:
KD has said “You can’t think yourself out of a prison that is made of thought. Every fear and emotion we cling to IS the prison. We can train ourselves to Let Go. He notes that letting go is different than pushing away. Getting in contact with ourselves is what this time is all about. Beyond anxiety, beyond fear, shame, guilt selfishness. Our job is to pay attention – to remember who we are. It is not easy. You have to practice. If you want to be the best instrument you must practice to open ourselves to that space in us.”
So well said KD. We have to practice our spiritual connection like we would practice an instrument. Certainly 2020 is teaching us this and more! I am so happy to annoucne that Rose Healing Center is Open for in-person private practice starting 9/1/20. When you return to our healing space, there will be new changes and ways we are utilizing to keep you and others safe. We will continue to offer online remote session for those who prefer not to visit Rose Healing Center in person. Our full plan for reopening to physical is available on the website. I very much look forward to welcoming you to the physical space again 🙏