Dear BAP family,
Above is a detailed picture of the surface of the sun! I never knew....
Gold nuggets and sunflowers and interconnection. What else do you see?
Today marks the peak of Yang energy as it makes its ascent from the winter solstice. What a year we have had since December 21st! Indeed all the phenomena of Yang: fire, activation, rapid movement, rapid change, heat, intensity, transformation; are wildly at play.
Today on the Summer solstice, we can align with the pure positive energy of the sun and how it informs and reminds us of the ONE thing we all are. We are deep in the season of FIRE now and just like that all the flowers turn to fruit and the long hot days activate and slow us down at the same time. Starting today, the Yin energy begins its decent back around into the darkness and just like that, we will be back in winter.
However different they look (newsflash!) Yin and Yang are ONE THING!
The characters of Yang and Yin depict the sunny and shady side of one hill respectively. We use these terms to depict different phases and and phenomena of the same movement of Life.
Today, we can tune into the healing that Yang and Fire have for us humans. Let it burn through all illusion, all separation, all turbid structures in our minds and bodies and in our world. Like that golden Sun, present and shining no matter what weather may obscure, we find that place inside of us that is connected to all the light inside all the life around us. This day rings the tone of ONENESS. Let it move through you.
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We are up and running at BAP and our amazing team is shining and active as ever! BIG SUMMER SOLSTICE SHOUT OUT to these amazing healers. Here are the days they are in the clinic.
Monday: Jamil
Tuesday-Mona
Wednesday-Donna
Thursday-Kidada
Friday-Tim
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In the name of oneness and healing; I want to share a list of resources I have been working my way though as one white person responsible for how the world goes right now. It is only a fraction of what is out there working on culture like only the fires of purification can.
Read
For Our White Friends Desiring to Be Allies - Courtney Ariel (Sojourners article)
The 1619 Project - Nikole Hannah-Jones (NY Times Mag issue)
My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma & the Pathway to Mending our Hearts & Bodies - Resmaa Menakem ( This is the book that Stephanie and John and I are currently reading)
Me & White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, & Become a Good Ancestor - Layla Saad
Listen
A Decade of Watching Black People Die - Code Switch (NPR)
Seeing White - Scene on Radio
Revolution Playlist - Rachel Cargle (Spotify)
Watch
When They See Us - Ava Duvernay (Netflix)
13th - Ava Duvernay (Netflix)
Fruitvale Station - Ryan Coogler
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution - Stanley Nelson, Jr.
St. Louis Superman - Bruce Franks, Jr. (Al Jazeera: Witness)
Learn Online
Racialized Trauma e-course - Resmaa Menakem (free)
30-day #dothework course - Rachel Cargle (free - Instagram)
Act Locally - compiled by Ngozi Musa & Sophia Magnolia Hunt (Instagram)
Research your local District Attorney, Mayor, & City Council (and other local officials).
Do you agree with their positions? Why or why not?Have conversations about police brutality with your friends and family.
Check out Campaign Zero & see how your state is doing.
Subscribe to your local newspaper.
Research local organizations working on issues of racism
Thank you all, bless you all, and see you soon at BAP!
Love,
Sarah