Our world has shifted...

"We still do not know one-thousandth of one percent of what nature has revealed to us." ~ Albert Einstein

I haven't blogged since Friday. I have however, spent time with my family, gone to satsang, gone to a tea party (held in honour of my girl cousin's 13th birthday) and gone to Tobago. I've been going about with my own life. In the back of my mind though is the awareness of what is happening in Japan and in the world. The quake which hit Japan on Friday is one of the largest to hit since 1900 (different sites give different stats so I'm not sure whether it's the fourth or fifth largest quake). It has moved the island of Honshu 8 feet to the east and has sped up the earth's rotation by 1.6 microseconds. The tsunamis triggered by this quake has caused damage to Japan, Hawaii and California (am not sure of anywhere else). There is now the threat of a nuclear disaster in Japan. It all boggles the mind. Surreal.

What can one single individual do to help others going through this trauma? I hold you in my thoughts and prayers. I will donate to relief funds. I will talk about what is happening-what has happened-what can still happen in the hopes that persons I talk to can improve on building codes, warning systems, evacuation procedures in my country and elsewhere. I will appreciate what's around me and try to show gratitude and appreiciation just a little bit more.

There is a part of me that wonders if we bring this trauma on ourselves. We have grown so fast, taken up so much space, used up so much resources ... it makes me wonder. Where are we going as a people? What are we meant to do? We cannot expect that everything will remain the same but we can try to ensure that it's somewhat better. This article featured in the Huffington Post speaks about the opportunities that can arise from this devastation. I'm sure there are many persons thinking like the author and hope that they continue to inform and discuss ideas like these. I'm also hopeful that we will try to create these opportunities ourselves - to come up with new ways of doing, creating and living.

peace,

Ren

Sending out some prayers...

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance." ~Ecclesiastes 3:1,2,4

If you're reading this then you're connected to the Internet in some way. If you're connected to the Internet then you've probably already read news reports and stories and seen photos and videos about the earthquake and subsequent tsunami which hit Japan today. If you haven't then click here. Take a moment to breathe now.

I check my twitter feed when I wake up in the morning (my phone has wifi). First came shock, then came a moment of prayer, then a moment of mingled relief/gratitude that nothing like this has happened here, then another moment of prayer that nothing like this will happen here. I'm not sure what would happen if there was an earthquake of that magnitude (8.9! OMG!) in/near Trinidad and Tobago. I don't think we're in any way prepared for such an event.

Am glad to see that Japan is though and that the world stands ready to provide support. Saying some prayers... sending love and light to those that were affected by the earthquake... the tsunami... those on watch for tsunamis (Hawaii got hit - hope the damage isn't bad)... those that will have to clean up, rebuild and be strong.

All my love  and good wishes to you,

Ren

Edited to add:

Something interesting that may or may not be involved with this event - the occurence of a 'Super Moon'... read about it here and here.