One morning recently I boarded the subway train.  As the doors closed and we began moving out of the station, a woman was seated nearby appearing to be fighting with someone across from her and screaming out loud to them. Then it was clear she was fighting with something in her head. Just as I wondered what was going on with her she looked me in the eye and went even wilder. Perhaps she was fighting with all of us on the train. The atmosphere on the train was becoming more nervous as it was going to be a long ride over the Manhattan Bridge to the next station stop. I shifted my eyes away from her. I stood there asking for peace in this awkward situation. Then the invisible work began. I felt my request for peace extend as a request for grace to be given to her and the rest of the passengers on the train. To my intellectual surprise this actually brought calm and peace to the whole train, including the fighting woman, for a few moments. A little outburst would surface, and again my focus was to dissipate anxiety and ask that Earth Mother hold us, this woman especially, and clear the train of this shrieking anxiety. Again more calm for a longer time.  Finally, I arrived at my station stop and left the train, hoping the spirits would continue focusing on carrying each soul to their day’s destination peacefully.

I left this experience with a new understanding and clear vision. For us to dedicate more of our time to work with Earth Mother.  To call on her, to harmonize our divine connection to her, to increase healing for ourselves and the land of New York.  More and more I’m experiencing many similar subtle forms of healing work we each do as our life takes us through different locations everyday. It is giving service to community – whether in the form of shamanism, energy medicine or more ordinary acts of service and gratitude.

This is a tiny example of a bigger practice that has been in focus for me lately. One of these practices is a form of walking meditation. As I walk I ask for help to clear physical spaces, our bodies, and our thoughts. I envision an alignment with Earth Mother, asking her to absorb and transform these turbulent energies so we may walk with more grace, but also so we may be more aware in order to lift some of the burden Earth Mother absorbs.

I also see this takes form in practices of gratitude and prayer. One of the translated precepts of Reiki, as I was taught them, was to “appreciate everything, and show gratitude”. In this practice I notice the many ways our body and spirit receives empowerment and nourishment from Earth Mother. From food, water and from the land we walk on.

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