“Living Free” in the Midst of Devastation, Chaos and Despair"

By Stan Davis

None of the plans that we normally make before taking a trip were possible, and I didn’t know what to expect. All reports indicated the conditions in New Orleans and nearby areas were horrible and dangerous. The only sure thing I knew to expect was the unexpected.

My first stop on the Gulf Coast was Long Beach, Mississippi, an area devastated by Hurricane Katrina. There I slept at the local Unity Church, which served also as a disaster relief site. It looked more like the clothing department in a Wal-Mart, with clothing in every room except the sanctuary. Being in the church was like a breath of fresh air.

I shared our mission with some people and asked them to take me to the main relief center, as I wanted to offer some meditation and centering sessions to the relief workers and evacuees living at the center. Several had said I’d be wasting my time; it’s almost impossible to offer service at the shelters because of all the bureaucracy. But they took me anyway. Once there, I was directed to the manager. I briefly shared why I was there and what we (AHAM) were offering. He replied, “Good, when can you start?” To me, this was a demonstration: that surrender and following the “still quiet voice within” while remaining centered in pure Awareness, or “I AM,” opens all doors as well as all Hearts.

I stayed in Long Beach a couple of days, then headed to New Orleans. It was early evening when I arrived. New Orleans seemed like a “ghost town.” There was devastation everywhere I looked. Prior to entering the downtown area, most of the buildings I saw were damaged beyond repair; the areas were dark with no signs of life in any of the many houses and other buildings. In downtown, traffic lights were not working; there were very few people on the streets; and military personnel seemed to be everywhere. I could feel a consciousness of fear, despair, chaos, confusion and depression pervading the city. Yet, I did not feel any fear. Remaining in the prior awareness, or “I AM-ness,” I only felt compassion for the suffering people affected by this devastation. The amount of physical devastation I witnessed, and continue to witness, is unbelievable. At first sight, it got me in touch with my remaining body-mind identification. Seeing all the homes and buildings destroyed was likened to the body being destroyed.

Although I am, and have been, very aware of the devastation here, I was not initially nor am I now at the effect of it. I am very grateful that I am able to remain centered within and not be adversely affected by it, or pulled into any emotions that come up in relation to what I am seeing and feeling in the environment.

I can attest to the Truth that “Living Free” in peace and certainty, in the midst of devastation and suffering, can be done. As a result of living AHAM’s Teaching, I am able to “live free” even in the midst of devastation and suffering. As is shared in AHAM, I’ve awakened to experientially knowing that anything perceived, or I am aware of, is not me. That means everything seen, including the body, mind, thoughts, feelings or emotions are not “me,” and therefore I do not have to live at the effect of anything. Everything is objective to the “I AM That I AM,” or is an object in this pure Awareness, the I AM the Self is. Being here in the Gulf has given me the actual opportunity to fully see and live this Truth, right on the firing line of life. And I am so grateful.

Being and serving here has been, and continues to be, a real blessing. It has strengthened my resolve and ability to abide in the Self, the place of happiness, freedom and peace within. It has also awakened a deeper appreciation for every moment I’ve been associated with AHAM.

The value and benefit of surrender and acceptance has become obvious. As I stated earlier, I did not know what I was going to do when I got here. Prior to leaving North Carolina, Ramana, who is AHAM’s founder and spiritual director, advised me to just surrender to the Heart (God) and let it guide me. All I knew then and know now is God is directing the show.

Events have occurred that to the ordinary person (or mind) would seem to be nothing less than miraculous. God-Self’s power, the power of compassion, and the power of being open to being led have guided me perfectly.

I had to sleep in my car the first week in New Orleans. Although this was uncomfortable, it somewhat allowed the experience: what it’s like to be homeless as is the case with so many of the people here. It also gave me an opportunity not to allow my “living condition” to affect my serving the people. Another benefit of “living from awareness” is natural creativity, or not being caught up in the “what about me?” syndrome.

In New Orleans, the headquarters for all primary disaster relief/recovery agencies is the New Orleans Emergency Operations Center, which is commonly called the EOC. This is where all of the key government personnel and persons with the “primary responsibility” for running the major operations of the city are located ,and many are still here. The EOC is a very restricted facility location. Only a select group can get clearance. And yet, AHAM was quickly granted clearance to be part of the EOC team.

We are currently serving and providing meditation and centering sessions for many first responders, service providers, and others affected by the Hurricane Katrina Disaster. During these sessions, many participants often say, “This feels so good. This is the first time my mind has been quiet and I’ve experienced peace and calm since Hurricane Katrina.”

And how are we getting by or surviving here? Well, by just living the AHAM Teaching. We have been given lodging, food, a key facility to work from, and lots of warm hospitality. Insight: Giving without concern for “self” allows God’s grace to enter and take care of all our needs.