Awakening to Feel Our Freedom

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The dictators’ ban on groups made perfect sense. As Margaret Mead said, 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.'

What became apparent to those of us who gathered last week was that we had no answers—nor, for that matter, did we even have clear questions. But there was a strong and shared longing to awaken. As one participant said, 'I know I have a warrior in me and she wants to become active.' So what do you do when you don’t know what to do? Here are some things my friends are doing: creating a bibliography of novels and memoirs about the Middle East; volunteering in a soup kitchen; joining the local volunteer fire department; studying the history and culture of Afghanistan; donating money; fasting and praying.

As I write this, the fast of Ramadan is about to begin—an occasion for all of us to reflect. Virginia Coyle, who has led vision fasts for hundreds of people, says the purpose of fasting, across religions and through time, is to remove the familiar and disrupt our habits so that our attention is freed for deeper questions: What is our common good? Who will stand up? What do I really care about? What am I here to do?

We need to be asking ourselves these questions. We need to encourage each other. And we need to exercise our freedom to gather in small groups—so we don’t take that freedom for granted.

Ten years ago Utne Reader launched the Neighborhood Salon Association, which, at its peak, helped 20,000 people talk to each other in their living rooms. I’d like to propose that we relaunch the conversation—with an intention for action. But let’s keep it simple. We might invite a few friends; light a candle; pass around something beautiful as a talking object; and, after asking for clarity and wisdom, talk. Then let’s keep talking (and add in singing and dancing).

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