Spectrum of Spirit: A Digital Sanctuary for Spiritual Discourse and Community

I don’t like to talk about government related politics much, however, I recently saw the headline of the “No More Kings Protest”. In the different accounts of the event I saw, people chanted for no more crowns, no more kings, and for Donald Trump to leave office. They cried out on loud speakers for their desire for justice now and for the USA to remember what their democracy was made to look like, and to know the USA is where freedom reigns to the rhythm of different drum beats. The clips I saw consumed the media space, moving quickly from one event to the next, filled with coordinated noises from people and instruments. I believe this is what America has known to be their first amendment right, their freedom of speech. Though I do support understanding and expression, the multitude of videos I saw on these protests led me to wonder if these demonstrations of rebellion are the most effective or beneficial ways to cause change. I became curious about whether we could learn from other protesters in the past, if there was a way to cause change without attacking the character of a country or the individual who is the representative of a country. Could reverence, a sense of awe towards something outside of oneself, slow a country down in a way that is beneficial. Would showing reverence in forms of protest be seen as logical or would it be seen as radical. Could the sacredness of radicality be the solution to the change people want from their rebellion?

While I went down this rabbit hole I realized I had lost previous time in my day. I was distracted from my homework assignments, and fell behind in my work responsibilities. Upset with myself, I tried to reframe the judgment of myself and approach my actions with curiosity. Could distraction be one of the intentions of media outlets posting the protests? After all, though I’m sure plenty of people saw the outcries of groups across the country, I have not heard any changes made in the governmental or law landscapes. Moreover, I asked myself if instead of people yelling and screaming, what if we looked inward and found depth within ourselves, controlling what one can control, showcasing the sacredness we hold on to in our daily lives.

Sacred Reverence

This week was the celebration of Diwali, the symbolism of spiritual victory of Dharma over Adharma, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance. It is a Hindu festival of lights, where adherents decorate their homes, dress in new clothes and light diyas, small oil lamps. People get together to enjoy food, exchange gifts, and set off fireworks, warding off undesired spirits. I believe this holiday lines up well with the content I want to explore in this blog. I believe embracing one’s spirituality and its interaction with the spiritual world isn’t held within a physical space. I believe spirituality isn’t confined to temples, churches, mosques, or synagogues, or any other place of worship. I believe Diwali shows that the preparation leading to the festival and the festival itself can be cultivated in any space, even in one’s home.

On the Varshaa Paandayy channel, the creator posted a short acknowledging and asking the goddess on the golden lotus to bless one’s home¹. The short features a still image of a woman in a light blue dress, covered in jewelry, sitting in lotus pose (crisscross apple sauce) on a large and beautiful golden lotus². Both of her palms are facing upward holding two smaller golden lotuses, one in each hand³. The large golden lotus is floating on what looks like water with candles on plates floating in the water⁴. At the top of the screen is a phrase in a different language ending with “Jai Maa Lakshmi”⁵. In the background sounds like a recitation of the words on the screen, sung beautifully by a lighter voice⁶.

Though I don’t understand the language that is sung or even on the screen, I can hear the cry of the singer. The woman’s face in the still image is still, her eyes closed and relaxed, and what appears to be a small smirk on her cheek. Based on her body language, I would assume she is content, she is rested. Though my assumption of the woman could be incorrect, I believe the golden lotus is also important to analyze in this short. The golden lotus is in the center of the image, the goddess aforementioned sitting on the flower. I believe the radiant light of the golden lotus is to show the divinity of the goddess, her presence illuminating the beauty blooming from the plant. Though she may routinely be praying for whatever is in her spirit, the conjunction of the video and the audio leaves me in awe, an admiration for the digital representation of how beautiful nature can be through a different lens. The goddess’ reverence is contagious, her respect for her sacred routine leaving me in awe of the beauty on the screen.

The Communion of Reverence

Opening Week for the NBA. One of my favorite times of the year. A time where all the hypothetical strategies and predictive statistics are put to the test. The training in the offseason each player underwent, some more intense than others, meets its match for 82 games. The court becomes an arena, a war between opposing forces. Fans gather in the stands to cheer on their favorite player, their favorite team’s star player, their hero. The athletes go day in and day out, sticking to their routine, perfecting their discipline to perform their best. Crowds react with intense joy or grief at the result of a win or loss. I believe all these aspects of sports culture mirror ideas of worship, even ancient worship, the idolization of individuals on the biggest stage.

Swish Cultures posted a video of the Los Angeles Lakers practice before their opening night game against the Golden State Warriors⁷. The video starts off with Austin Reaves playing 1 on 1 versus one member of the coaching staff⁸. The two laugh after the coach ends up falling to the floor⁹. Later in the episode, J.J. Reddick, The Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach, shares with the media why he coaches, denying any update to LeBron James’ injury status, and talks about how awesome the LeBron James and Stephen Curry matchup has been for the NBA¹⁰. Fast forwarding a little bit further in the video, the media interviews Luka Doncic, one of the superstars for the Los Angeles Lakers, asking him whether he views the Los Angeles Lakers vs the Golden State Warriors is a rivalry, how does he think he will deal with the pressure of LeBron James out, and how he views Stephen Curry as an opponent and a peer”¹¹. The third interview is with Austin Reaves, a complimentary core player for the Los Angeles Lakers, asking him about how to improve his lob chemistry with other teammates, asks him a hypothetical end of game situational question, and comments about how important it is to play 1 on 1¹².

I was a little disappointed to not see much of the Laker’s actual practice, about 75% of the video was interviews with the coaches and players. However, sports culture is still personified in the 20 minute video. The media swarmed around the three interviewees, whether or not they were actual fans of the Los Angeles Lakers or not, asking them questions about their on court ability and off the court lives. Though the three interviewees did not answer every question in depth, they allowed their following to have insight into their journey. The media and reporters take this information and make it digestible for their audience, whether through written form or video form, to fulfill the appetite for the Lakers fandom. Though the media wasn’t cheering for them at the moment, similar to Austin and the coaches 1 on 1 competition at the beginning, I have seen and imagine fans will be laughing and cheering in communion, revering the greatness of basketball talent before them.

Reverence in Ruin

“Legends never die”. In a sense I agree, for legends, their stories live on. On the other hand, legends physically lose life on this earth, whether spirits come back in other forms, like reincarnation, I am not going to dive into this yet. I believe this quote is not fully developed, it’s cute and succinct but a loss of accuracy. The full quote from “The Sandlot” is “Remember Kid, There’s Heroes and There’s Legends. Heroes Get Remembered, but Legends Never Die. Follow Your Heart, Kid, and You’ll Never Go Wrong”¹³. In the context of what’s around it I still think something is missing, the tangibility of legends, the impermanence of the tale. I believe reverence is the missing link. Legends with those that revere them never die. Without reverence, legends turn into a ruined saga.

The Artist Block released a new video detailing more information about Cope, a graffiti art legend¹⁴. Cope grew up in the ruins of the Bronx and due to influences from his friends and peers, grew in his fascination and skill for graffiti art¹⁵. Near the halfway point of the video, the creator retells the story of a phone call between Cope and another graffiti artist named Nosm where Cope is accused of snitching on the graffiti artist community¹⁶. Additionally, there are rumors that Cope worked with people on murals, took pictures of the murals, and told companies that he was the one who made the murals by himself¹⁷. Cope joined the graffiti group Walnuts, and the Walnuts revealed they had not submitted to a magazine until Cope suggested it, giving everyone credit for the work¹⁸. The fame of Cope and the fame it brought the Walnuts, made members within the Walnuts group jealous of Cope’s notoriety, leading to them spreading harmful rumors about Cope, and eventually Cope’s removal from the group¹⁹. Towards the end of the video, the creator shares that Cope’s work, whether you like his style or not, is dope²⁰. The creator mentions people bash him based on his work being inspired by someone else’s work²¹. The creator outlines this practice is very common in the graffiti artist world, not to show an incapability of being original, but appreciating the style of someone else, and adding one’s own flair to it²².

I loved this video from The Artist Block, the graffiti world fascinates me as I have had no previous knowledge of this lifestyle. I admire the humble beginnings Cope came from, his ability to make the most of his situation. I am in awe of the collaboration opportunities he created within the graffiti community, pushing the cycle of creation forward whether on trains or on walls. I respect Cope’s ability to persevere through those who were jealous of him, adapting as he got older, to fight the decaying graffiti scene. I revere his ability to continue to create art, to endure and express his spirit, amongst all the rumors and ruin circulating around him.

Call to Reverence

Invite Reverence. Read new content. Find your revolution. Own what’s sacred to you. Commune with different worlds. Listen to the ruin. Deepen your spirituality. Look to inhale. Slow down your expression. Originate your life. Eternalize your intention. Remind yourself to echo. Mystify your rebellion. Roar with your twin. Whisper with your soul.

Bibliography

1. Varshaa Paandayy, “O Goddess on the golden lotus, bless my home with Your light and divine presence. #shorts,” YouTube, October 18, 2025, accessed October 22, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_hWzkihRTz4. ↩︎
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7. Swish Cultures, “Lakers Practice! Lebron makes appearance & Luka Doncic & Austin Reaves are ready for first game,” YouTube, October 20, 2025, accessed October 23, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoeEVqPLJvU&t=29s. ↩︎
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13. “Amazon.com: Remember Kid, There’s Heroes and There’s Legends. Heroes Get Remembered, but Legends Never Die. Follow Your Heart, Kid, and You’ll Never Go Wrong. -The Sandlot Quote Print, Unframed : Home & Kitchen,” Amazon.com. Spend Less. Smile More, accessed October 23, 2025, https://www.amazon.com/Remember-Legends-Remembered-Legends-Unframed/dp/B07R95LLRB#:~:text=. ↩︎
14. The Artist Block, “The Rise and Fall of Cope2 Graffiti Legend or Snitch? (New Info),” YouTube, October 18, 2025, accessed October 23, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kiwd4RKpj8c&t=29s. ↩︎
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