Archives for November 2015

What a week.

It is difficult to stay strong and courageous all the time in a world such as ours.  It is difficult not to feel scared by the randomness, the incomprehensible cruelty of terrorism.

What is there to say that has not already been said?

What can we do?

Hope.  Believe in our human resilience. Pray for goodness.

Dedicate our practice to those needing strength.

Yes. Of course yes.

But sometimes it feels like this isn’t enough.

At this time of year, as we approach Winter, Christmas and the Winter equinox, we often speak of darkness.  In many yogic traditions, there is a belief that ‘darkness’ doesn’t really exist in and of itself – that it is merely a state in the absence of light; the unilluminated.

The Yogi is one who is steady and connected to the illuminated centre, even in dark times. 

Darkness – unilluminated spaces exist within us all.  And certainly it can appear that darkness truly exists in the wider world.

We must learn about the darkness within – through our practice, through our integrity and our search for truth – we begin to meet ourselves as we are.  Once we’ve overcome the darkness within, we can affect that which is outside.

Once we understand that there are spaces of darkness within us they begin to become illuminated; the energetic impact of this illumination cannot help but radiate out into the darknesses that exist outside of ourselves.

Once we start to shine light into areas of darkness in ourselves, we find more – we are emboldened to continue. The more the light penetrates us, the stronger we become.

Does this mean that until we are all Buddhas, enlightened beings, we are of no use to others?

No. We can do what we can.  There are charities we can support.  Messages of solidarity and love we can send.

We can light a candle, dedicated to those who are traumatised, those who are grieving, those who are terrified and lost.

We can get on the mat.  We can meditate, pray. Believe in goodness.

We connect to the centre – where the unending light exists.

I do not have the answers or even the words.

My mum always told me: Do what you can, the best as you can.

That is what I will do today.

 

May we be happy

May we be well

May we be peaceful and free

(Metta Bhavana)