Share the Vigil: Experiences of Vigil-Keepers
(As of 6/8/21)
Three generations of vigil-keepers share their morning, midday, and nighttime experiences across three time zones.
"I believe that prayer and meditation matter. We can create change in the world by holding an intention and focusing our energy on that point. Like the butterfly effect, the vibrations, love and healing thoughts we put out into the world can contribute to peace, understanding and right action. By bringing my attention to those whose bodies have not yet reached their final resting places, my hope is to send positive energy help resolve whatever obstacles stand in the way of a respectful burial for these people. They are not forgotten."
“I lost a family member to the virus; fortunately she was able to be buried that same day. My heart goes out to all those who do not have this privilege. Also just yesterday I passed by a temporary morgue stationed outside a hospital in my neighborhood and wondered what can I do? The opportunity to commit to sitting vigil and honoring those lost is very welcomed.”
“It has been very meaningful and different from sitting in the funeral chapel. I start and end with the song Oseh Shalom complete with 'and all who dwell on earth' several times. I read psalms and sing songs, so far by Leonard Cohen, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, and sometimes chant or just sit there. It is a good way to slow down and end the day.”
“The vigil keeping continues to evolve and to be personally useful. I appreciate having the accountability of sitting with/for the dead in the middle of the afternoon. Midday is a useful time for me to surrender my other activities and feel the reverberations of the prior hours, my mind-state, and my heart's intentions. I'm finding my way with it.”
“I have chosen to reflect on our current condition in the following way: I lie down to meditate, and begin by thinking of my present fortunes. For example, I'm able to breathe easily; I have a warm place to live, plenty of food, enough money, good friends, a peaceful home life. I move my thoughts to those who may not be so fortunate; perhaps they don't feel well, perhaps their household is chaotic, perhaps they are in financial stress, perhaps they feel alone, perhaps they are struggling in some way.
“From there I move my thoughts to those who have serious hardship. They may be ill, or have a loved one who is ill. They may be destitute in some way. Then I think of those who have lost loved ones recently, or who are suffering themselves. I end with thinking of those who have died, of the lives they have left behind. Of their childhoods, their laughter, joys and sorrows, their friends and families.
“I sometimes feel spent after this exercise, but other times I feel peaceful, lighter, and able to sleep…the intention is becoming one of the anchors of my day.”
“It helped bring me to what I call a 'G-d's eye view' of the situation as I witnessed souls at peace merging with the One....My sit continues to be a highlight of my day. I moved from focusing on NYC to focusing on Oregon (I'm here after all) to focusing on the whole nation — drawing myself into the middle of the country to connect with all the souls I could."
“Shortly before 11 p.m. (Mountain Time), I tune my ukulele and adjust the music stand holding a book of ukulele tunes, one for each day. Then at precisely 11 p.m., I begin to sing and play appropriate tunes.... While singing and playing, I visually focus on a sight that will never leave me — in New York City, large white refrigerated trucks, temporary morgues, that are crammed with bodies awaiting their final disposition. The thought of these lonely crowded bodies fills me with great sadness.
“For one hour, I sing and play songs on my ukulele, keeping company with the bodies of all faiths as well as no faith. My house is quiet: the neighborhood has mostly gone to sleep...And after I am finished at midnight....I can no longer turn on the TV. Somehow, this new late night routine has become sanctified, and I cannot pollute it with gags and nonsense.”
“I am the co-chair of our Chevra Kadisha (Sacred Burial Fellowship)….I was moved to set up an online time for us to sit weekly for those making their transitions now from Covid-19. I will start us off with a guided meditation so those who want, can sit together virtually outside the trucks, or in the hospitals or by the mass graves where the souls are waiting burial….We will meditate with them and sing to them, and pray for them, and sit in silence with them. Wherever they are. All over the world.”
