Social Silence | A Personal Piece

I have been wordless via social media, but not silent. My activism may have been quieter thus far than some, but until recently I felt, with all my heart, that it is also effective. I may have failed the spiritual community in not speaking up about the current social injustice. And this is why.

Over the last months I have been, like so many, reeducating myself. The Black Lives Matter movement is offering hope for real, powerful change. Changes in perception and humanitarian rights are being demanded by more now than ever before. I am one of them.

Not only have I taken this time to go deep within, to inquire outside, to grieve, research, study, talk, and plan, but to write and rewrite, for you and for myself, over and over and over — because I am so afraid of saying the wrong thing.

I recognize my own ignorance at where to begin and how to contribute. What is my part in redefining something so deeply ingrained in society, whilst opening my eyes to ways in which I have, unintentionally, been part of the problem?

My beginning has been in listening, watching, learning, discussing, and reaching out to individuals I know are suffering to extend my heart and ask how I may be of service, support, an entry into parts of the world to which I didn’t realize I hold access, or sharing a place to help elevate voices.

Over the last week, I’ve taken an exponentially deeper dive — very personally, within my network, and reaching far outside of it. I have been connecting, not only as someone who practices yoga, but as a human being, to people who want to make change — BIPOC teachers, students, authors, activists, friends, fellow human beings.

You can never go wrong by investing in communities and the human beings within them. — Pam Moore

My expanding self-awareness about these enormous issues has made it apparent that those overwhelmed by the magnitude of what is unfolding tend to use big sweeping, yogic or spiritual, macro-cultural terms — which are insensitive — rather than thoughtfully unpacking what’s happening.

This unpacking has sent me on a journey of self-inquiry. Amongst many questions, I’ve been asking myself and others how I/we can cultivate tools to apply to the yoga/spiritual practices and my/our teaching that address both the micro-aggressions and macro-traumas that black teachers, practitioners, and those who wish to take part face that white teachers may not think to address.

What can I do to make the spiritual world more inclusive and/or accessible to black practitioners and how can I encourage the studios where I teach to do the same? How can I personally make space on the mat and within our platform? How do we bridge the gap between what’s happening in the world right now and yoga/spiritual philosophy? How do we apply this philosophy to today’s world?

While I cannot solve hundreds and hundreds of years of unconscious bias, systemic racism and repression — I can contribute a lot. I do have a point of view and it includes the realization that deafening silence from the spiritual world must make BIPOC feel horrifically alone. Black voices have been suppressed for so long that I imagine hearing others talk about it must feel like a breath of air after being trapped underwater.

I understand that I do not understand the magnitude of what the black community is going through. But I share in the understanding of the injustice that exists — the systemic violence, injustice, and lack of representation. I am learning how to further build compassion for black lives. I am discovering my own blind spots, unconscious bias, acknowledging moments in which I’ve unknowingly underserved people, and those in which I wish I’d have spoken up.

Recently I was asked why my social media doesn’t acknowledge the current social injustice within yoga when I believe that yoga means true unity — I have gone into the depths of my heart, motivations, beliefs, perspectives, convictions… So here is my evolving answer — not as means of justification, because every question merits one.

I’ve chosen to live in difficult, challenging places and situations because of my burning desire to experience and truly try to empathize with other cultures and the injustices they endure. I have served food to hungry, volunteered at homeless shelters, women’s centers, orphanages, prisons, hospitals, schools, places that acknowledge suffering, hardship and discrimination, and offer care to those in need.

In giving I received. Those gifts, that education, the total immersion is infused into all I do now, my practice and teaching, creating and holding inclusive space to the best of my ability, the way I live. I committed to grow this way so that I’d have more to offer the whole world. I haven’t posted about it because I’ve viewed it as part of my responsibility as a human being.

The heart of the matter is, there is a much more effective way to build social justice movements. They happen in person, in real life. — Loretta Ross

Because I haven’t posted about current social injustice does not mean I’m not gratefully, actively involved in one of the most important movements of our lifetime. I am learning, processing, beginning to live my life differently.

As I’ve called for change within myself, my community, and the world, I’ve realized that I have mistakenly had the idea that social media was lip service compared to what I was doing in my private life. My idea that meaningful action had to be hands on, voice to voice, person to person was wrong. Sharing beliefs, taking a stand publicly, just talking is action too. And it’s important and necessary.

My path has always been extremely active, guided by those loudly seeking inclusion or support, and those without the capacity to speak up. It will continue to be, and I will continue to carefully discern how I can best, most effectively and actively acknowledge, listen and do what I can. I will hold myself accountable through changes in my life, learning, practice, teaching, curriculums, contribution and associations — including via social media.

Those with whom I’ve been aligning are guiding and collaborating to create more action which leads to change. Will you align with me? How are you contributing? How can we unite?

The Conscious Life Collective — to unite and create sustainable change.

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