Seven years ago on September 11^th, I was sitting on the floor in my home in Westport, Connecticut unpacking my bags.  My plane from Durbin, South Africa, had arrived at JFK just as the sun was coming up.  I was returning from the UN world gathering on racism, xenophobia and other forms of discrimination.  The conference overflowed with stories of human suffering all because we can not accept our differences.  While unpacking and listening to the classical radio station, my husband called me from the train into New York City to tell me to turn on the television because one of the twin towers was on fire.

That day and the many days to follow were filled with the collective us in shock, fear, despair, sadness and compassion.  For those of us living and working in NYC we had a sense of oneness, a closeness that brought cheers and loving greetings to every police and fireman and woman we met.  The city pulled together in our time of stress and need.  Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist leader from Viet Nam who learned how to be peace in the midst of the overwhelming violence of war, led a peace service at Riverside Church.  It was the first collective moment of peace within the city of pain and suffering.  Judy Collins sang Amazing Grace and we joined in filling the church and radiating out a song from the heart.  We sat in deep silence as well as in prayer.

We experience Oneness when in a sacred circle; speaking from the heart, listening without judgment and calling for silence when needed.

Namaste!!!  Ann