Why do we have such discord and violence in the world today? Why are we feeling so empty and unsatisfied despite being surrounded by abundance? Why are we experiencing declining physical and mental health? These few questions would sprout to the surface of my mind day after day, week after week, month after month; as I grate my way through daily ingrained activities such as; work, gym, television, YouTube etc.

Sometimes within the grid of my routines I would feel an almost overwhelming cry from the heart; as if something separate from myself was asking me; “Is this really it? The peak of my existence” which hardly felt like anything like a “peak”. However, I was unaware that my questions would be answered in a subtly powerful way this summer.

Among the usual week-to-week activities of a “normal” American person, weekends are days for fun, enjoyment, relaxation, and most times celebration, with the use of alcohol at times. But this time I was invited through an open invite Facebook post from Haley Landry to meet at river front park Fitchburg at 3:33PM to meditate and discuss consciousness. Being limited in such knowledge I decided to go with an open mind and a “got nothing else to do” type of attitude. I went to pick up my cousin Ash and good friend Emily Schultz who were also open minded. It was a nice summer day. Upon reaching our destination, I saw a group of 4 people sitting in the grass. What surprised me though was that there were a good number of beautiful crystal clusters of various colors scattered on the ground and yoga mats and blankets for anyone who needed them. I was welcomed with a friendly smile from a tall man by the name of Julio as well as four others whose names I could not recall. Hayley opened the meeting with the lighting of distinct fried leaf tied in bundles called sage. They say sage is a plant that when burned purifies and expels negative energy.

I noticed that it has a very earthy grilled smell to it but at the same time it gave me a sensation of feeling grounded and focused. She requested that we get comfortable and pay attention to our breathing. We were all seated in a circle and slowly everyone naturally began to close their eyes. As soon as I closed my eyes, I could not tell for how long but at some point something remarkable happened to me. Before I explain, I’d like to say that meditation is something that I am familiar with, but never have I attempted to practice it with another person let alone eight plus people. At a certain point I started to feel a sensation in the center of my chest and the base of my spine. I could feel pulsations as well as the feeling of expanding. I normally feel this when meditating on my own.

But now, it felt as if all those feelings were amplified and in turn connected. I felt as if there was a hidden connection between myself and the others that was all based in an umbrella of love and peace. I felt very serene and peaceful afterwards. I think the biggest thing I took from it was that within the discord of the world and its expectations and egotistical influences there is harmony. Harmony in places such as these where people can gather and connect, rejuvenate, and remember who they really are.

As Ms Landry said “We are infinite beings.”