Dear Earth, I finally washed my robes.

Since my arrest at the rebellion at the start of October, they have been splattered in mud. I’ve worn them as I’ve been celebrant for our three weekly Buddhist services here at the temple, catching sight of the dirt and grime as I circumambulate our golden Buddha and bow to the floor.

I’m a lazy house-keeper, but even so I’m curious about what took me so long to clean them. Why have I been clinging to that mud?

I felt like I was in battle for you in London, beloved Earth. I want to avoid war metaphors, as we came in peace and we hold non-violence as our beacon. And, I felt like I was on the front line. Those around me made stunning sacrifices for you, dear Earth. We lined up against the police, and we held on as long as we could.

I’m not on the front line here, as I string words together in the hope that they may help others wake up. The grief for you is strong, and parts of me try to assuage it by getting me to do more, do more. I can never do enough, but when I was there, surrounded by my comrades, I at least felt useful and alive.

I know that we need mud and blood to help you, dear Earth. We also need words and rest and donations and conversations and placard-painting and praying and e-courses and baking peanut cookies to keep us all going.

I think we also need Buddhist services, and my clean robes will help me lead an hour of practice tonight.

I hear the part of me that wants me to do more. I get it. I hear the part of me that is grieving. I’m sending them both love.

Love multiplies. As I receive this love, it also radiates out. Can you feel it?

Love, Satya <3