As I took my seat and got comfortable with my surroundings, a gentle smile speared across my face . . . the room felt electric . . . I could feel the flow of excitement in the room and my body relaxed . . . It took a deep breath, shoulders went down, head ache left, and relaxed. I had been stressing trying to get to the Women of Color Conference on time and I made it. . . I felt a calmness flow through me as I connected to the comfort and unspoken love of being in a room with all those women . . . tapping into the Divine Feminine . . . sitting with the Divine Mother’s daughters.

During the day I attended workshops, listened to panels, had engaging conversations, and some disagreements, but what surprised me was that that energy of unspoken love that I connected to stayed throughout the conference even when conversations were difficult, and world views and experience clashed . . . tempers flared . . . nothing was left unresolved. The organizers has set the energy and intent for us, over 800 women, for empowerment, inclusion, and acceptance. This was a social- justice event and I was surprised by how many of the speakers talked about their work being grounded in loving compassion.

There were women from countries from all over the world . . . some that I had never even heard of . . . and even in all our complexities the connection was still there. As we convened back for the keynote speaker, I felt the power of the group energy flowing around and through me, gently clearing blockages and also activating new energy flows with in me. Felt my shoulders grow more and more relaxed and automatically started breathing deeper . . . and although I was enjoying myself I was ready to go and be alone . . . needing some me time . . . but something said no.

Our last speaker was Ericka Huggins, one of the cofounders of the Black Panther party. As a social justice activist, she was on the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement, and had been one of the primary targets of the FBI in its intent to bring down the Black Panther Party. Her husband Johh Huggins was killed by the police, three weeks after she had her daughter. While awaiting trial for two years before charges were dropped, including time in solitary confinement, Huggins taught herself to meditate as a means to survive incarceration. From this time on, she would incorporate spiritual practice into daily life, her community work and teaching as a tool for change - not only for herself, but for all people.

I don’t know what I was expecting, but certainly not this grounded, radiant being, filled with light and peace. I was drawn in as she told her stories. Later, I asked how meditation had changed her life. “She said that in solitary confinement, she tapped into the healing substance and power of love. She spoke of how through love, she was shown her own innate greatness . . . and she had never known or felt that before. . . . and experiencing that connection with her true self she felt free . . . she felt a freedom no bars could contain and she was deeply humbled. She also said that through that love she was able to release her arrogance, her anger, her fear, and that time in prison forever changed her.” I was deeply moved. She had embraced her Higher Self.