I started this letter, originally, telling you the stories that have been in my dreams lately.
But they're not dreams; they're nightmares.
Some are replays of real images, some are abstract, some put me and my family in the middle of something we are not. Either way, they are impossible to grasp, and I know where they take place: Palestine.
But I am not here to have you bear witness to that pain. And at the same time, I am not here to provide an escape from witnessing that pain.
Truth be told, I have a lot I want to share with you this month about yoga and the anthropological science behind ritual — how it informs spirituality and the evolution of culture.
But I cannot wrap my head around anything except Palestine. So instead, I'd like to provide you with a link to my personal Instagram. There, you will find multiple highlight stories (tagged with either the Palestinian flag, watermelons, or a fist). These are PACKED with resources.
There, you will find not only news, reports, statistics, and (yes, horrifying) evidence to bear sacred witness to. But you will also find:
— what you can do, from BDS to organizing
— how to move from being a witness, to an ally, to a social justice co-conspirator
— history of Palestine & Israel
— social justice history & education
— Palestinian voices to follow (not just reporters, but also artists and writers)
— protest/ resistance safety tips
— how to have tough conversations with people you care about
— roles you can play in the movement (there is a place for everyone – the front line is not meant for everybody)
— how all struggles are interconnected (Zionism, white supremacy, patriarchy, capitalism), as are we
— where to donate
— the role anger and grief play in alchemizing pain into action, into change
— inspirational and hopeful content, because we need it
— ways to rest and take care of yourself
Second to last, here is how to assess the credibility of what you read and how meditation plays a role in activism from one of my favorite resources, Technically Spiritual, and Cosmic Anarchy by Ayesha Khan.
And last, please DM me on my official Instagram (@myco.hannah) if you'd like to chat or get some more 1-on-1 help, like specific meditations or recommendations for well-rounded wellbeing as an activist.
I know this is not my usual prose-prone letter, but it would be a deviation from satya (truth) for me to try to pull something artistic out when my heart and soul cannot leave Gaza. Nevertheless, I can manage to provide some of the usual seasonal guidance…
Instincts & Insights
It's still Spring until about June 20th - helping us bring new ideas to fruition, create, awaken, and think about what we want to step out of our comfort zone for. What seeds have you been tending to? If something has been tugging at you, now is the time to face it, hold it, pay attention to it, and do something about it.
June 21st, we celebrate the Summer Solstice! Everything you need to know can be found here, complete with mythology, a ritual idea, aligned recipes, and ways to honor the sun and this turning point of the year.
Remember the waning moon is great time to release.
The new moon is a great time to rest and dream.
The waxing moon is a great time to plan and take tangible steps towards what you want.
And the full moon is a great time to manifest, celebrate, reset, and commune with [however you name your spirituality - God(s), Goddess(es), Deities, Spirit, Universe, intuition].
Find more info and full ritual guides for each phase here:
“We do not escape into philosophy, psychology, & art — we go there to restore our shattered selves into whole ones.” - Anaïs Nin