anzac day experience

This morning I went to my first Dawn service in my adult life. I wasn't sure what I was expecting - but I was definitely moved by the event. I had a rejection in my mind that I didn't want to be a part of it because of so many reasons that my ego was trying to create stories around. 


But I realised I was being very judgemental of something I hadn't experienced. Nobody there wanted more war.. It was a gathering of hundreds of Australians at 4.30am on a freezing cold morning to honor those who have died a tragic death.


 

---

In the service they talked about bringing peace to this planet and us finding that peace within us. Everyone said a prayer asking God to assist us in remembering the truth. Yes -there was some religious dogma within the prayer- but everyone still prayed and that was beautiful! Yes- people were there partly because our conditioning and 'patriarchy' and because our Australian culture and media has accepted this day as a tradition. But people were hungry for this ritual. They sung and played music. They honored their ancestors before them and the land they call home. It was really moving for me as it honestly gave me hope for our humanity and our culture that maybe, just maybe we are all reaching out and craving this small kind of ritual! It may look different to the type of ritual we do within our 'spiritual' circles- but in essence their hearts were still open for that moment of honoring. That is enough for me to feel grateful. 


I do look forward to the day, we can then publicly honor the indigenous people who also died for us to live in this beautiful country we call home. But that's just another can of worms. 
Blessings! Xxx ‪#‎dawnserice‬ ‪#‎anzacday‬ ‪#‎ritual‬ ‪#‎australia‬ ‪#‎blessed‬ ‪#‎sunrise‬‪#‎outdoorcathedral‬ ‪#‎peaceonearth‬ ‪#‎peace‬