Carrboro Meditates in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter Campaign

Wednesday night, the Carrboro Town Commons was transformed into a place of meditation and support for the Black Lives Matter campaign.

With the sun hanging low in the sky, over 40 voices chanted in call and response for the victims, families and communities affected by racial violence.

“The translation for the chant is about all beings everywhere being happy and free and our thoughts, words and actions contributing to that happiness and freedom for all,” said Michelle Johnson, a member of the Board of Alderman and a yoga instructor.

Johnson led the gathering, calling it, “Community Meditation: Breathe, Connect, Transform and Heal.”

“In the wake of the violence that is going on, most recently the black and brown folks who are being murdered by police, I thought it’d be nice to create a space for us to breathe.”

Johnson asked the crowd to breathe for Jerry Williams, Philando Castile and Alton Sterling, who can no longer breathe for themselves. Sitting in silence, the group was asked to validate black lives and use the hour of meditation as a peaceful way to show support and bring about change.

“I think it is an unusual protest to sit and meditate and breathe,” Johnson said. “So I’m hoping that people start to understand that meditation and yoga are about more than a posture and a pose. They really are about transformation.”

Ros Schwartz, a local yoga instructor, accompanied Johnson on the harmonium – a small wooden instrument with mother of pearl keys.

“It’s nice because it bellows and it inhales and exhales just like we do in yoga. You press the keys, it makes noise and it’s wonderful.”

Schwartz has been chanting for a year and said its collective practice fosters a sense of community.

“It’s usually done in a group and it’s call and response so it’s kind of like singing together in a group and it feels really good.”

After the meditation ended, community member Rebekah Bhavani Crisp said she felt called to action.

“There is this invitation to get even more honest about where am I dismissive of things that impact other people more than me,” Crisp said. “And I don’t have to give up any of who I am to be honest and look at that.”

Crisp said she hopes more people will join in future community meditations.

“I love that the space tonight was used for Black Lives Matter and that it was done also with traditions from other cultures. So I’d like to see this done with 3,000 people in Carrboro, sitting in silence. And if it makes it easier, we can do it for just 20 minutes.”

As the final chants faded into the night and people headed for their cars, they passed hand-written signs Johnson had placed around the Town Commons. Some were quotes from Gandi and others were inspirational thoughts. But the last sign had no author or byline. It simply read, “There is power in me.”