Reflections from May 22, 2024

We rode through the checkpoint the first morning, winding our way to the place where we work. There for the first time in a year we were together, along withour new people. The feeling of fear from the Israeli Jews to be in the West Bank was palpable but still, we were there.

We began in a circle, no sharing, just our names and seeing each other, feeling this moment that miraculously we had arrived, we had conjured up something that felt almost impossible – to be together, NOW. Right NOW.

We had asked them to bring with them something that we could make an altar with- something that represented grief, war, fear, and if they had it...hope.Together in silence we moved- each placing the things they had brought. And when it was done, we stepped back, a holy moment- something beautiful we made together. There was silence, there were tears, there was all of creation standing with us in that moment.

We spent the morning with people sharing where they were. And then a long time going over all the skills we have to navigate this meeting.

And then, the afternoon- all the feelings came. It was an explosion, it was beautiful and ugly and strong, and difficult and people said things they had never said before. Things they had NEVER SPOKEN, on both sides. It felt like war.

And we didn’t try to contain it because there was so much that needed to come. When they shared at the end, they were present, many were relieved, they saw that these things they had been so afraid to say had not destroyed them and a deeper truthfulness had come to our group. War will do that.

It is incredible what can happen when we build trust, as much trust as possible between people on two sides of such a divide. In the next day as more fear was arising around the trip to our place and being where we were, a Palestinian man said, let me tell you what can really happen here- if the Israeli police came here, we would be taken to jail (the Palestinians), and you would be taken to safety. If the Palestinian police came, we would be taken to interrogation (the Palestinians), and you would be taken to safety. And if the neighbors come, we know them and we will speak to them and we will protect you. And then a Jewish man said- if the Israeli soldiers come here, I will protect you.

In reality we are in a safe place (as safe as any place can be in a time like this), but the fear that led to this conversation created this moment, of reality, of love, of the willingness to risk and to protect. We are together even as we are apart.

Today we will again be opening the feelings and conflicts- and after two days, days of connection and learning and sharing, and difficulty and feeling that despite our differences there is love in this room, we will work to embody the principles together.

I know I don’t know

I am willing to be changed

I am honoring multiple perspectives

I am cultivating a non-shaming heart and attitude

I am welcoming everything in me with an intention towards awareness and consciousness

Will we end this war? No. But is this a worthy effort? Oh, most definitely my heart sings yes.

Ann