Occupy the present at Occupy Oakland. A group sits in silent meditation every day from noon to 1pm at the same location, although it looks like they got rousted from their usual location on Tuesday.
I received reports from a friend who is there each day. The quiet immediacy of his notes seemed worthwhile amidst all the reports of violence. See his updates below:
Tuesday October 25
There were many people just milling around since the Occupation was
invaded by the police.
Our core group of about 10 -15 mediators sat on the sidewalk in front of Walgreen's on Broadway.
Before you knew it there was 50 to 100 people sitting with us.
It was very moving and powerful. It became quiet and people seemed
to be pulled to the present.
Then out of no where came three or four police cars.
They pulled up next to us
like there were going to take us away.
What really was happening,
a group of young boys were across the street fighting so the police officers
were there for them.
Then 10 minutes later two big fire trucks pulled up (loud).
Someone yelled that it
'looks the the 60's Movements ---are they going to hose everyone.'
They were not there for us but someone at work in the high-rise behind us was having
medical problems.
So as you see it was both quiet quiet quiet and at times
exciting and somewhat disconcerting.
Wednesday Oct 26
Sat in silence from noon to 1pm again today.
It was powerful again today.
The core 10 or so people sat and by the time
we finished at 1pm almost 100 people joined in
with varied fashion of meditation.
Some sat on cushions, some sat on the ground
some sat on their shoes,
some sitting looking
like Buddha, some sleeping many with crossed legs
and other smoking in silence. Others stood in silence
What a place.
We bring ourselves to the moment and we all
share the present.
At the end people dedicated their time and all
were very moving.
Keep on coming
We are continuing to meditate noon to 1pm,
even with the Occupy Oakland being closed.
Today was very moving.
The area was closed off by 200 police in riot gear at 4am.
But we still sat just as we have at noon for the last 10 days.
We will continue to sit everyday at noon to 1pm.
We are also folding 1000 cranes that will be hung or at least more
folded on this coming Friday at 1pm.
Please come and be Present for the Occupy Oakland.
An appeal from this good man Occupying the present at Occupy Oakland
We need to take money out of the government.
What I mean by this is that we need to stop all Special interest group
and corporate donations. Then the elected will need to listen to the people
not the corporate voice and special interest group.
Maybe we could get Democracy working for the people.
This may be the new progress hope of the future. I'm optimistic for a change.
A small prayer from my friend for all of us to remember
May the government free its self from the need to feed on the special interest money.
May all people be happy
May all people be free.
May there be a peaceful end to the Occupy Oakland stand off.
Here's his suggested action for all who occupy in cities and towns around the world
A noon to one sitting around the world would be a statment that most could handle
It would be able to include the people on lunch hours that want to get involved
but do not know how.