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Every morning for almost 50 years, I have followed this ritual.
Once out of bed, I meditate. This practice, in addition to particular movements of consciousness, mind, brain and heart offers hints as to the energy of the day, the faculties of thought and one's ability to concentrate.
After meditation, I step outside onto a small, roofed deck and light two large wooden matches. The brilliance, color, scent, height of the flame and heat indicate to me certain qualities or facts about the atmosphere, but also will confirm or deny certain things that I had surmised during my meditation.
For example, the flame might indicate that the energy of the day will be concentrated, intense, clearly observed, just as my meditation did.
I am usually more interested in abstract conceptions than atmospheric conditions. But during the days preceding the intense Lahaina fire, my two-match flame was mysteriously indicative.
The two matchheads would burst into a flame that exceeded the match length. They also seemed to explode sideways into a spectrum of light.
At that time, I did consider the cause to be the dry atmosphere. I did not, however, forget the intensity -- the extreme force, degree or strength of the flame. It was not only the brilliance, intensity and size of this frictional flame that memorably impacted me, but also the more visceral, instantaneous flash that violently repelled my face.
Raphael O'Suna
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