Dear Earth, why pray?

This is a photo from our last vigil for you, sweet Earth, that continued all day and all night for weeks until the virus forced us back into our homes. I can’t remember who just told a joke, but I love the smile playing on Sarah’s lips.

We spent a lot of time doing precisely nothing for you, dear Earth. We could have been running for our local council, or writing angry letters, or planting forests.

We sat – Jews, Muslims, secular meditators – lawyers, travellers, grandmothers – freezing cold, elated, despairing. Sometimes we watched thousands of eyes avert from us as they walked their busy walk to work. Once a woman approached us in tears, overwhelmed, clasping our hands, thanking us. Some people spat hate at us with their looks or from their mouths.

Why pray for you, dear Earth? Why sit on the streets and let our grief swish around our bodies? Why beam love at you?

Because I know you are listening. It is my small contribution to the bouquet of actions you need, and I know that it matters. I know that love placed into the Universe is never lost, but finds its way slowly to where it is needed, as inexorably as water.

A rebellion is coming, and soon we will be doing it again. When I finish writing I’ll walk through the temple gardens and get some practice in.

Love Satya <3