Yesterday, I went to hear Marianne Williamson speak at a program called Divinum. The event was scheduled before the presidential election results were known. Needless to say, Considering the results there is definitely a great deal of healing needed in our country.
Marianne is such an inspirational teacher for me for many reasons. I think the biggest reason is that she has been teaching ACIM messages for so long, that she instantly recognizes people's statements that resist being open to Truth. And this teaching from Truth is exactly what raises my vibrations and inspires me to become one of God's Teachers as well.
Eventually, the conversation came to the topic of race in America. I don't know why I was so surprised that Marianne offered to lead us in the Apology To African Americans prayer, but I was. I remember watching her lead this prayer at one of her teachings in NYC, and how powerfully moving it was for me as well as everyone there. Now I would have an opportunity to be a part of a real social healing experience, for which I was on the receiving end.
While there were a few dozen or so African Americans in this crowded sanctuary of several hundred people, there were no others around me. Marianne asked all willing African Americans to stand, and for all white Americans near them to stand and place their hands on them, I was touched by people in all directions. At that moment, I realized why we as humans are so protective of our personal space; space is an illusion which is brought to light when we are in close proximity to one another. I remember that once I opened my heart to the presence of those around me, it became difficult to tell where I ended and they began.
The Apology Prayer is beautiful in words and the raw emotions that it triggers. Tears began to flow from the very start. Three or four of the people with me were looking directly at me, so I let go all of my feelings of awkwardness and looked back into theirs eyes throughout the prayer. The physical part of the experience was just as deeply moving as the words. I could feel my energy level increasing; I remember feeling like there was a fire burning within me. My sweetheart, a Latino, was standing right beside me, holding on to me as well, which definitely helped me to feel grounded.
The last part of the prayer is a promise to treat everyone with love, dignity and respect, and I instinctively joined in with them in stating that pledge. After all, African Americans are just as capable of practicing hatred towards others, and often do. I felt as though I was being offered an olive branch, and my participation in the pledge was my way of accepting it.
After the prayer, we all embraced and exchanged grateful thanks. The first thought in my mind was I wondered if my mother in heaven could feel the sorrow and sadness through me that I felt from these people, and I instantly knew the answer. The healing was for me AND my entire family. That's part of the power of prayer and why it is so important for our return to Love.
The combination of the forgiveness prayer, meeting Marianne and hearing her inspiring words left me feeling fully alive.it is an experience I will share and treasure always.
If you'd like to read the Prayer of Apology to African Americans, please follow this we link: http://marianne.com/atonement/
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