Divine Fire and Contemplation
For the last 10 years or so, Erika (one of my dearest friends and Sisters) and I have performed an annual “Burning Bowl at the beginning of every year. Meaning, January. It’s a spiritual cleansing ritual, of sorts, that her grandmother, an early influencer, spiritualist and minister amongst women of color, wrote and developed along with an entire manuscript of prayer circle meditations for future generations to learn and connect through. And for me it’s been one of the most powerful ways close friends can connect in a truly honest and vulnerable way about regrets, insecurities, loss and finding new strength and hope in each other. 2021 was no exception, other than the fact that we didn’t get a chance to do it until August 30th. The odd part was, that though the date might have been “late”, it was actually perfect timing. That very night, 20 years of war in Afghanistan was snuffed out under cover of darkness ahead of schedule, as the final US troops and civilians were evacuated. Two days later Ida hit us in New York and New Orleans, the Bible and Revelations seemed to manifest right in front of us, the Texas abortion ban went into effect, and preparation for the Jewish New Year and High Holidays began.
As a New Yorker, and Upper-West-Sider, observing the High Holidays from the outside, has always made me feel humble. I’ve participated in Shabbat dinners and Passover Seders, but the blowing of the Shofar and the concept of being written into the Book of Life as one of the Righteous, had no personal meaning to me until I almost died of cancer twice. Soon after I miraculously survived the second round, I learned that I had been given a new Hebrew name – Hannah, which means “favor” or “grace” of God -- and that prayers had been said that I would be written into the Book of life by friends and colleagues alike. That changed everything for me. A new life. The gift of new beginning after all the pain and suffering I’d survived, And I have taken that gift into my heart deeply.
That being said, this Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and subsequent holidays mixed with our delayed ceremony, the final troops, the floods, and the inhumane law passage seemed perilously like a Divine Hand, stepping in to say, “You’re all at risk here if you want to be written into The Book, take heed, Your man-made laws and levees have no power against me. I’m watching you.” That evening with Erika also included another dear friend and Sister of about 10 years – Tenagne -- who actually spoke about feeling the Divine Hand of God at work in her life, because she was making space for it.
Regardless of your race, ethnic or religious background, the role of fire, floods, sacrifice, End of Days and the associated warnings are present. But we keep putting them out into the future as having meaning. Not now or today. That night we brought that meaning into our minds, thoughts and intentions as we burned away regrets, shared fears, wrote commitments and sacrifices down to ourselves and prayed together that we might be part of the Divine Solution in our own lives and those we touch. As if we were writing our own Book, just like Erika’s grandmother.
So, to all of you, I want to recommend that now is a good time to really reassess what your intentions are with your gift of Life. Are you making room for the Divine, in whatever form that might be? Are you listening? And I pray that you all be written into God’s Book of Life.
Holly Lynch is a 20+ year communications veteran and life-long social impact advocate and strategist who has helped individuals, educational leaders, and companies tackle the toughest challenges in their worlds.
Having survived countless life setbacks and two rounds with terminal cancer, while seeing the country-wide collapse of the systems and safety nets for the most vulnerable in and outside our communities, she is now shifting her life and career trajectories to focus on coaching those facing down fundamental shifts and transitions as they try to navigate and rebuild their lives, institutions and businesses during these unprecedented times.