Two events in Jerusalem and I feel a conflict
In the last 5 days, I have attended two events via zoom based in Jerusalem one on Holy Saturday organised by North American Friends of Sabeel
and yesterday, Thursday, with Praying Together in Jerusalem
There is a contrast between the two. The Sabeel event focussed prayers on the injustices perpetrated on Palestinians. I found it overwhelming to read what is happening to Palestinians. The story that stands out is the demolition of Palestinian homes.
Praying Together in Jerusalem (PTIJ) is focused on differing faiths praying together. The focus yesterday was on Ramadan. While it is good that faiths pray and learn together I felt as perhaps a participant of both events a disconnect. While the Sabeel event was Christian its prayer was focused on the injustices against Palestinians in contrast to the PTIJ which was interfaith including Muslim, Christian and Jews yet no mention of the injustices.
It is the same meeting that has highlighted that prayer usually arouses in us a need to do something. Previously I prayed not conscious of any action arising from the prayer now I pray knowing it is likely to arouse something in me that leads to action.
Right now what has aroused is an emotional wrestling.
I felt the need to sit perhaps in what is best described as ‘waiting’. Waiting is what I do when I feel what I have described above. It is not praying as I am in need of prayer. Waiting allows me to become aware of God and my dependency. It is what we do in Quaker worship although this morning I was more aware of my need. As I sat there with concerns I saw an image of a stairwell. It spoke to me of the need to get a higher perspective. It was almost as if the stairwell kept bringing me higher and higher. Would I reach God? Images of a heavenly spaceship came to mind which monitored and responded to the affairs of the world. Then I had a sense that it was about being aware of consciousness and that I am part of it as it is me.
The same consciousness that ensures we all live symbolised by the sun, moon and stars. What conflict is there amongst them yet we creatures conflict within ourselves and with ourselves.
It was as if I became an ant having known what is to be human I may say to the ants, “Hey guys you know you are the one and the same so stop all this unnecessary division.”
It was as if as consciousness manifesting as a human I should have the same perspective, “ Hey guys you know you are the one and the same so stop all this unnecessary division.”
And perhaps to this human form I also say, “Hey you, you are part of consciousness so why stress and divide against another?”
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