Sad day for Oakland

The funeral service for the four police officers killed in Oakland a few days ago is being held today. Steve, one of the local sheriff's chaplains, will be there. Everything will be televised. 

The anticipated gathering is likely to be so huge that freeways will be temporarily closed for the several processions to the memorial site. All of the Oakland police force will be present while their jobs are being taken over by volunteers from other jurisdictions for this one day.

I was up alone late and felt compelled to attempt to draw a mandala. I was looking through one of Judith Cornell's books and was influenced by her method. Here in northern California there are some really awesome mandala teachers but I've never taken their classes. 

So this was an experiment. The geometrics are way off - I learned about the need for accurate planning and measuring. I don't know why I chose the swan. After I finished the drawing I looked up the image.  There are many meanings attributed to the swan. One makes it a symbol of martyrdom which, in a way, I guess you could use that word to describe the killed officers. At any rate, we can all agree that Oakland is justifiably sad this day.

Illuminated hands

Later this afternoon I will be working with a group of boys at Juvenile Hall. There will be at least 15 kids, teenagers, who have been detained for various reasons. With their own hands they have stolen, hit, murdered and otherwise run afoul of the law. Some are gang members, some are drug addicted. Almost none have been well parented and most are doing poorly in school.

The activity I'm bringing in this afternoon will be to illuminate their own hands. Those of you who are familiar with Judith Cornell's work and books, such as MANDALA: LUMINOUS SYMBOLS FOR HEALING, will understand the concept of seeing our own hands as sources of light and healing. The boys will freak at first (I've brought in this activity before with other groups so I can predict their reactions), but as their images emerge I will start hearing expressions such as "Tight," "Sweet," and whatever else is current lingo for what my generation simply labeled "Cool." I will post their work at the tall staff desk so they can be reminded during their stay in Juvie that some of what they do is good, is aesthetically pleasing and contains hope and possibility. I'll stand aside and let their own illuminated hands work their own magic.