It is extremely vulnerable to recall personal and hurtful experiences that bring up the experiential divide that exists between communities. The benefits that are attributed to some and the desperation of others to eke out a reasonable existence. When I listen to conversations along these lines or I am talking with a friend, the care and attention that is devoted to the choice of words, to elucidate thoughts is often an exercise of hyper vigilance that is exhausting. I am learning how to have these conversations in a more public sphere and as much as I want to share what my experience has been, I am learning how difficult it is to build a culture of encouragement. At the foundation of this is the necessity to tend to the requirements of my heart. I cannot be patient, understanding and compassionate to all with whom I speak if I do not take the time to contemplate, pray and reflect. It is through this daily spiritual practice which I know nourishes my spirit and enables me to access that higher level of intelligence that exists for all of us, to call on tact and wisdom to allow a conversation to continue despite the discussion of difficult matters. In so doing I learn the need to value all life, in the very many iterations of human nature that exists. In so many ways we violate the very nature of ourselves when we engage in "othering". Not only do we wound a precious and delicate heart, we inflict untold injury to our own selves. It is vital, in order to avoid the insidious spread of prejudice and how easily it infiltrates my behaviour before I even realise it, to be able to guard against it by taking steps to clean my own heart. This is the practice of reverence for me. To be continually reminded that we are all one and whatever separates us is fundamentally wrong. Prayer and meditation regenerates my heart, pondering the meaning of the Sacred Word and striving to put it into action is the way through which I may contribute to change in the world. I want to think and act differently. Reverence facilitates these new connections in my life.
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