August 1, 2020

 

Hi Dear Friend,

 

August is here with the fierce roar of the lion and the sweet song and inner purity of the virgin. 

 

Here in North Carolina, I know there will be lots of heat, humidity, thunder and lightning. Most children will be starting school on screens instead of in classrooms. I once heard a devoted, life-long Waldorf teacher, Henry Barnes, say a teacher never knows the value of their work until fifty years have past and the child they taught has lived most of their life. We won’t know all the ways the pandemic will impact each individual child in the short-run or the long-run but it will be significant and we will need to remember to observe and understand this context. My granddaughter will be a first-grader which is normally a very social transition. What is first grade in solitude? What is August for a child who can’t look forward to getting back to the classroom and classmates?

 

A week or so ago I discovered a new theory, situated cognition. This is the argument that all thoughts (and I would include feelings and actions) are situated in activity bound to social, cultural and physical contexts. Each month offers us a context of historical, cultural, religious, natural and cosmic impact. We need to pay attention and creatively become aware of the contexts of our sense of self and our relationships.

 

What are the contexts of August for you? What can August offer your soul for contemplation? What are the August inspirations?

 

 

The month begins with clouds. Clouds that couldn’t be more different: the cloud of the atom bomb over Hiroshima and the cloud illuminating the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. Each of us has in our souls both of these gestures: the most destructive and the most divine. In the heat of August, it seems impossible to contemplate these extremes as something within our being. To think of either of these clouds as narratives in human history is equally difficult. Yet our future depends on us finding our relationship to both destruction and divinity. 

 

 One question I have is why are they both remembered on the same day, August 6^th.  Perhaps on August 6^th we can look into both these events and journal about them. Imagine seeing both clouds, how would we feel? Radiation destroying life. Radiance illuminating life. 

 

As a result of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945. August 15^th is also the date the Catholic Church celebrates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, another event in the clouds. 

 

The word "Assumption" comes from the Middle English "assumpcioun" which means "a taking up into heaven", and from Latin "assumptio" which means "a taking". 

 

Transfiguration is the a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state.

 

Here is an exercise for all of us inspired by these Christian celebrations in August:  As you think of this day, this week, this month, or this year and you know that at the end of that period of time a part of you would be taken up to heaven or would change its appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state how would you prepare?  Choose an ideal or a virtue you want to bring your attention to. Imagine kindness, generosity, openness, vulnerability, reverence, courage. Write about making it ready for heavenly acceptance or glorious revelation.  This internal work of inner imagination is far more meaningful to your earthly and spiritual development than any ritual of worship…don’t you agree? Worship is much easier than inner work. 

 

 

August is also the month of remembering three great social events in the realm of rights shining a light on deep social shadows of dehumanization based on gender, race, well-being, and religion. This is pretty tough to remember but morally essential to not forget!!! Especially now.

 

August 23 - International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition,

August 23 -  Remembrance of the Victims of Holocaust

August 26 - Women’s Equality Day celebrates the day in 1920 when women received the right to vote.

 

 On the 23^rd light a candle for those that suffered. And on the 26^th think about our great women leaders and the meaning of the right to vote.

 

 

I want to close with an ancient Hindu god whose birth is celebrated on August 22^nd. As per Hindu mythology Lord Ganesh is considered as "Vigana Harta" (one who removes obstacles) and "Buddhi Pradaayaka" (one who grants intelligence). This festival is very important for students, they worship Lord Ganesh to illumine their minds.

 

May Lord Ganesh, illuminate your mind and open your heart as you experience August in your soul. Always be a student of the earthly and the divine. 

 

a Complimentary Consultation 

just for YOU during the pandemic and

the explosion of hatred and violence of the last weeks.

 

Scared? Lonely? Confused? Needing Spiritual Guidance?

 

Do you want to explore your life and shape your future?

 

Do you need a sacred conversation to work through your questions and challenges around your work, relationships, well-being and inner development?

 

Let me help you.

 

 

 

Please schedule a 20 minute phone conversation with me. Do it now...you won't regret it.

Schedule your complimentary consultation with me by clicking here.

Or email me 

 

Lynn Jericho
www.imagineself.com