Do better. The inner work of Sadhana

Sadhana means daily spiritual practice. For many years my Sadhana has included some form of movement, meditation & contemplation. Through this, I've found healing and forgiveness.

And while finding peace through meditation is nice, the deep inner work is what I crave. It's what strengthens and empowers me to do and be, better.

When 2020 began, I committed to reading more and added reading and reflection to my Sadhana. I'm loving this space in my day to dive into new books and articles. A friend recently sent me the article, White Supremacy Culture by Tema Okun. When I opened it and scrolled through the list, my eyes were wide and I felt a lump in my throat that grew as I read:

sense of urgency
defensiveness
either/or thinking
fear of open conflict
I'm the only one...

Whoa. Confronting these characteristics that are rooted in structural racism is painful. It's also liberating. They have created conflict and communication breakdowns in my life. And I have a new understanding of why. Through this awareness, I am understanding the depth of internalized structural racism. And I am empowered to make new choices.
​And do better.

Ibram X. Kendi said:
"To grow up in America is to grow up where racist ideas are constantly rained on your head. You have no umbrella. You don't even know you're wet with those racist ideas because the racist ideas themselves cause you to imagine that you are dry. And then someone comes along and says, 'You know what, you're wet. These ideas are still raining on your head, here's an umbrella.' You can be like, Thank you! I didn't even realized I was drenched."