Disaster in the Rockies

 

 

   It is ironic that on September 10th, 2013 my last post talked about the greatest difficulties we face also offer the greatest opportunities to practice unconditional presence. Three days later on September 13th the worst disaster in Colorado history was beginning, and I found myself in the mist of raging water and the worst destruction I have ever witnessed. Surprisingly, the calmness I felt inside was a gift, constant prayers for friends,  neighbors, and first responders were clearly the presence I practiced.
  For four days my husband and I were literally cut off from the rest of the world. With the absence of electricity, phone service, the Internet and roads that were impassable in all directions the world just stopped. I felt the stillness and silence that is so rarely visited because of the world we live in. For me it was an erie yet beautiful stillness.
  I mentioned the difficulties we face also offer the greatest opportunities to practice presence. We were able to help our neighbor dispose of rotting food, as well as, alerting the sheriff to potentially trapped  people that had not been rescued. The picture below was the rescue of our neighbors to the West of us. They remained in their home unable to get out until late Sunday because of the  raging water and literally no access out from their home.

   For me one of the upsides of a dramatic event like this is it wakes me up from the complacency I tend to fall into, reminding me of how precarious and fragile life is, and helping me approach each day with more awareness and gratitude.
  On the other hand, dealing with disaster can easily pull me out of my spiritual practice and deeper perspective. For instance, helping friends and neighbors, watching endless news reports online, and responding to friends and  relatives who were anxious for updates once services was restored. Um, hello…who has time to meditate when there’s so much “important stuff” to take care of?!? We’re in a crisis, for God’s sake! Danger, Will Robinson!
  But after a few days of non-stop  activity, I needed a break. It became painfully clear that, precisely in the midst of high drama, it was even more crucial to create enough stillness to connect with my soul and to access God’s healing presence. As much as I wanted to be of service, I realized that if I make the deeper connection a priority, my helping actions will come from a clearer, wiser, more peaceful and loving place. My aspiration, always, is to develop better balance between the pressure to do and the longing to be.
 On Monday, September 16th, 2013 under sunny blue skies I felt encouraged by the "whop whop whop " of National Guard helicopters overhead as they rescued friends who were still stranded. I take a deep breath and tune into a larger picture. The natural world is sometimes tranquil and sometimes destructive; the waters of life are sometimes peaceful and sometimes raging; my daily life is sometimes centered and sometimes neurotic. I'm working on holding it all together in a greater embrace moment to moment.
   May God continue to be with those that are suffering and in need of strength and hope. The hard work is still ahead, and the many years it will take to rebuild infrastructure and communities. Often times the greatest difficulties become our greatest opportunities.