The Fallen Stars

by Thomas Reiner, ©2023

(Sep. 27, 2023) — Meditation can be thought of as the quieted mind drifting between a waking and a dreaming state of consciousness.  The subconscious mind usually releases a spirit of well-being and acts as a guide to a better future.  Just as a dream sometimes becomes a nightmare, harbingers can warn of terrible things that could have been.  Recently during a meditative moment of silence in a Selichot service (Google it), one such harbinger occurred that was soon gracefully supplanted by a wonderful vision of hope and renewal.

“Now for a moment of silence and meditation,” was announced.  Usually, this just grants a moment to relax and kick back.  Not this time.  While ascending into meditation, the American flag standing next to the podium swayed gently, then suddenly jerked violently.  One Star shook off the flag and fell to the floor, then another Star dropped until none were left.  Becoming starless, there would not be and never have been an America.  

Without America, the terrible vision continued with General George Washington hung from an oak tree, Philadelphia burned to the ground, the Declaration of Independence shredded  and the imprisonment of our Founding Fathers.  We would never have a Constitutional Republic which protects us from the usurpations of a tyrannical centralized government.  We would never enjoy our freedoms, and the Pursuit of Happiness would remain a March of Drudgery that so many nations are forced to endure. We would still be prostrating ourselves to a far-off King many generations hence.  Fallen Stars have happened once before and that was our Civil War.  Luckily, enough Stars remained on that flag that time to eventually make it whole and strong again.  Would we be lucky enough to have a third chance?

But this was merely a warning. A new opportunity for redemption and love for America filled the mind.  That crestfallen Flag creaked a little as one, then all of the fallen Stars slowly lifted from the floor and strongly reattached themselves to that beautiful blue field. We were whole again!  It was like seeing America for the first time and realizing the incredible beauty that it bestows on all Americans. We have the power to change from what is wrong to what is right.  With these blessings imbued upon a righteous people, we will always make a correct decision on the big stuff.  The liberties that we have as Americans have become renewed.  And then the moment of silence was over.

Welcome back to the American Dream!