Saturday night, we gathered for Songs of Devotion. The theme, uncannily, was water. We sang beautiful, uplifting songs from Brazil, Japan, the U.S.—in praise of water’s life-giving gifts. Water heal my body. Water heal my soul. In 75 minutes, we created a whole world together—hearts swelling and breaking at once. In the background, there was Texas. Sheila acknowledged the disaster as we began, noting that this theme had long been planned. It lived there quietly alongside the music. Even in celebration, there was grief.

Everything has its shadow. She creates. She destroys. We create. We destroy.

These ceremonies have imprinted on my body, mind, and soul states of expanded awareness that I can revisit through yoga practice. Every time I release tension on the mat and feel relaxation and flow, I’m touching that state, even if my mind doesn’t fully register it. And so are you.