If you are like me, you are still trying to find rhythm in a country and world whose routine has been shaken up by the Covid-19 pandemic and the racial unrest in our country and world.  Finding new ways of moving through our personal, professional, and communal life has been hard and at times disorientating. Yet, I also believe it is a good time to contemplate the ways in which all of our lives have been  shaped by white supremacist culture and then to act in was that curate an antiracist life, community and culture.

During our last gathering we dialogued about cultivating mysticism practices that help us all to value “Rhythm over Time.” White Supremacy culture values a sense of urgency, quantity over quality and bigger and better, all in the name of progress.

While having constraints around time is not bad, time is a tool for us to use and not the master of our lives. Cultivating mysticism principles of mystery, imagery, embodiment, and non-attachment leaves us open for the invitation to new awareness within ourselves, within others and within the communities. This time of rhythmic contemplation leads us to some form of action; even if that action is a dance party on zoom where we show up more authentically ourselves, no filter. “So, Let’s Dance!”

Learning antiracist rhythms of life takes practice.

Here are some links we'd like to share for continued learning and engagement with Rhythm Over Time along with the lyrics for Come Ye.

Mystic Soul Project: POC-Centered mysticism, activism & healing

https://www.mysticsoulproject.com/

Dr. Barbara Holmes, author of “Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church”

https://www.drbarbaraholmes.com/

Practice in Daily Life from the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society (take note of the Tree of Contemplative Practices for suggestions)

https://www.contemplativemind.org/practices/begin

“Soul Food and Heart Stories” by Stephanie’s friend and scholar, Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu

https://www.murphyshigematsu.com/single-post/2020/07/20/Soul-food-and-heart-stories

white supremacy culture characteristics from Tema Okun: https://www.dismantlingracism.org/uploads/4/3/5/7/43579015/okun_-_white_sup_culture.pdf

Come Ye by Nina Simone

Come ye ye who would have peace

Hear me what I say now

I say come ye ye who would have peace

It's time to learn how to pray

I say come ye ye who have no fear

What tomorrow brings child

Start praying for a better world

Or peace and all good things

I say come ye ye who still have hope

That we can still survive now

Let's work together as we should

And fight to stay alive

I say come ye ye who would have love

It's time to take a stand

Don't mind abuse it must be paid

For the love of your fellow man

I say come ye come ye

Who would have hope

Who would have hope

Who would have hope

Who would have hope