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LESSONS FROM KATRINA AND THE GREAT TSUNAMI...

1.  Send money and send it quickly to the agencies with the most experience in catastrophic response and the most inroads to the people, government and culture of a country.  So, right now, text:  90999.  Write:  HAITI in the message space.  Click:  send.  This will immediately put $10 on your phone bill as a donation to the Red Cross.  The transfer is quick and there is no phone company fee.  There are local funds for various countries.  Take 3 minutes--Google and text away.  Even a small contribution immediately increases the flow of good energetically.  There is enough.  We can all sacrifice one lunch or a couple of lattes to save lives.

2.  The Red Cross:  I worked with the Red Cross after Katrina.  I found their training, knowledge and compassionate care superb.  The networks set up for Katrina and the vast physical "machinery" of specially trained and experienced volunteers are already established across the nation and especially in the Southeast United States.  It will be easier to mobilize quickly with skilled responders to support Haitian refugees and family members.

3.  DO NOT WATCH TV COVERAGE UNLESS you can view with an attitude of prayer.  The photos and videos are showing you the people to pray for.  If you start to feel overwhelmed, depressed or anxious then turn the TV off and turn to your toolbox of yoga:  Play peaceful and spiritually uplifting music.  Chant or say prayers.  Meditate.  List everything you are grateful for in the moment.  Do a few sun salutations, warrior poses, slow twists or deep restorative poses.  Remember, the brain makes an imprint of everything.  Many images of nature's violence and human's trauma can lower your energy.  It is most important that we keep a consciousness of lov, fearlessness and compassion.  We are the ones who are needed to lift the consciousness and hold a vision of faith for the survivors.   It is not helpful to repeat thoughts of how awful and terrible and filling up with negative images unless you use them for blessings and as a yogic practice of compassion.   As Amma said after the Asian Tsunami that the dead are OK.  They are out of pain.  We must focus on caring for the survivors.  This will take a ji-normous amount of positive energy.

4.  Notice your emotions and let them flow through you.  It is abnormal not to have deep sadness, anger...  Use the emotions to take you to creative compassionate action instead of depression.  If the losses trigger unhealed personal losses, get support.

4.  Find where your time and talents are needed.  Every Wednesday and Saturday the public is invited to help sort and pack donated medical supplies for shipment to hospitals that treat the poor and destitute in India at the M. A. Center on Crow Canyon Road  (part of the M. A. Math United Nations NGO).  This help is always needed.  Selfless service increases positive qualities and tendencies.  For information on disaster relief activities:  www.amma.org/humanitarian-activities/disaster-relief/disasterrelief.html.
I will also find out if we will mobilize an effort for Haiti in particular and get back with you

Om lokah samisthah sukhinoh bhavantu. 
May all beings in all the worlds be happy and peaceful.  Every time you think of a disaster or traumatic situation, close your eyes, repeat this phrase (or your favorite prayer) and send out a wave of peace.

Namaste:  Leena