It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.-Aristotle Onassis

Last week's nuclear test by North Korea, has rippled fear and anger across the globe. Even though nuclear experts believe that North Korea is years away from being a "nuclear state", a 4.7 magnitude, underground, radioactive explosion is, peacefully stated: unnatural. Even anti-nature.You can't call any action that carries global consequences, "a feeble attempt by an ailing ruler".

That's it! That's all I'm going to say about what happened. I'm not even going to suggest what the rest of the world should do but I am doing something.

In perfect choreography, I received an e-mail Saturday morning from the Global Coherence Initiative (GCI) with the following suggestion: For the next two weeks let's take a few minutes a day to hold a state of compassion for the Earth, while envisioning it in a perfect state of balance and alignment. Send heart coherent compassion which is free from fear-based drama and attachment to outcome. This multiplies the effectiveness of our care.

Briefly*, the steps are:

1. Breathe and calm yourself in whatever ways you choose.
2. Choose something you appreciate - a person, pet, nature, etc. - and radiate the feeling of appreciation to them for about 2 minutes.
3. Now evoke the genuine feelings of compassion and care for the planet.
4. Breathe the feelings of compassion and care going out from your heart.
5. Radiate the genuine feelings of compassion and care to the planet or to a specific area of immediate need.
6. See yourself, along with other caretakers, participating in this process of healing and facilitating peace.

I was going through all the steps except for the last one, seeing myself in the process with other people. It feels so much more powerful that way. Let me know if I should see your face too.

Of course, this particular event may not be in your scope right now. You may have issues closer to home and heart but you can employ the same tactics. Says the GCI message:

When our meditations, prayers and other practices are genuine, they count and can help reduce planetary discord wherever they are focused. All of our efforts add to the whole, which increases the power of our individual and collective intention to help.

*Complete Coherence Instructions. 

Global Coherence Initiative simply explained.

Source: Reuters, "Q+A: Why did North Korea rush to a nuclear test?". May 27, 2009.

Photo: Tree Hugger