A Net of Protection, a Circle of Peace
Since the beginning of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, I’ve had my phone set to remind me every hour to turn my attention and loving toward the people of Ukraine, to see them held and protected in a net of light that connects people heart-to-heart from all around the world in this intention. I’m currently using the song “Love Can Build a Bridge” for my alert sound, and it beautifully sets the tone for my practice. Sometimes the song sets off waves of tears, but the practice brings me into a sense of strength, hope and unity. I haven’t felt like this is all there is for me to do, but it’s all I’ve known to do. Up until now.
Now, in the midst of one of those practices, I began to remember something many of us have read in posts, memes, blogs and essays over the years about an African tribe that has a loving ritual to help reconnect a member who has acted irresponsibly or unjustly. The tribe drops everything to gather together in a circle, placing the offending person in the center. For several days, each man, woman and child speaks, reminding the person of the good things they have done, of their positive attributes, strengths, kindness, and goodness. At the end (often after several days), the person is welcomed back to the tribe with a joyful celebration.
I don’t know any details about how this happens, nor do I even know for sure that it is a real thing. What I do know, however, is that this concept has touched a lot of people quite deeply, and I’m one of them. So as it came to mind yesterday, I thought of the aggression of Mr. Putin. I put aside the obvious “yeah but how would you ever get him into the circle?”, because it’s not about a physical circle. This circle is an intention toward healing, loving protection that our heart-network is already creating. In addition to employing it to protect and heal those who are on the receiving end of Mr. Putin’s worst intentions and impulses, it became clear to me that he himself needs protection and healing from the insistence of his own worst intentions and impulses. He needs love and light to reconnect with his own humanity.
So now my light-practice feels much more on-target, sending Light for the highest good to all those who are in need of protection and healing from the hardened hearts of anyone, including themselves. I am summing it up with that description, but in practice I visualize it specifically and individually.
I am very clear that there are outer physical-level responses that can and must be taken as well, and that some of them may not look on the surface like a manifestation of love and light. But my prayer is that the decision and deployment of any responsive action by anyone be guided by the same intention of loving, protection, and healing, for the highest good of all concerned.
Will you join me?