I recently attended a workshop with Andrew Harvey on the concept of Sacred Activism. Sacred Activism, he outlines, is a “transforming force of compassion-in-action that is born of a fusion of deep spiritual knowledge, courage, love, and passion, with wise radical action in the world. The large-scale practice of Sacred Activism can become an essential force for preserving and healing the planet and its inhabitants”.  Immediately following was the Summer Solstice, the return of the light as the longest day of the year, and the time whereby the sun is at it’s highest and brightest.  What I noticed following close behind this solstice was that people in my life, myself included, were being asked to look at shadow aspects of self, or the ways in which we relate to the world that may not be coming from our “highest” self that allow us to fully live this compassion in action. For me, this abundance of summer light showcased and illuminated some of my resistances to truly living authentically, fully, and in total alignment with the highest good. I watched others around me grappling with dramas, depressions, relationship upheavals all following this natural increase in solar light. It is true in nature that when the sun is at it’s highest, it also casts the biggest shadow, much like when a bright light is turned on in a room, all nooks, corners and the mess that exists in the room become illumined right along with the beauty as well. I often find that when I am able really see those areas where I am holding myself back from living my practice in all dimensions of my life,  that I am able to handle those aspects of my life with a lot of gentle humour and space for the growing up process. My prayer for this summer is for all of us to be able to use this time of heightened light and awareness to see the ways in which we are resisting living our lives to the fullest and in right relationship with each other, with this planet and with Spirit - and to allow this acknowledgment to heal all aspects of the individual self, so that together we can become such a unified whole. May we all know what we are living so passionately for that we are willing to devote our whole lives to supporting that cause. In complete commitment to the light, may we gently and joyfully see, acknowledge and override shadow. Have an incredible summer, let’s go for grounded expansion for the second half of the year.

Ally Bogard