Tessa’s experience of June was not so carefree, and I suspect few people grew up as far from death and loss as I did. She speaks beautifully and poignantly about this in our podcast and reflects on it here.

Our Fire and Light conversation also explores how leisure, not work, is the basis of culture. We ponder insights from Tricia Hersey, “the Nap Bishop,” whose book, Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto, encourages us to nap. She advises us to dream again and escape the grind culture, as the Jewish people escaped Pharaoh a long time ago.

For our monthly meditation we recite “On June,” by James Russell Lowell. It is a lush 19th-century celebration of summer in New England. But where did you grow up? What was it like in summer? Pull out some old photos. You may want to write about it. But first, maybe take a nap. Dream. Happy June!

Listen to “Fire and Light” wherever you get your podcasts, or find links here.