I am reminded daily to trust the process and that my mindful exercise are strengthening me spiritually. It is so important to embrace routines of breathing, meditation and mindfulness that help me to listen and hopefully some day, shine brighter. Yesterday morning I cleared my chakras for the first time in probably more than 3 years – why did I ever stop? Unimportant now, but the good thing is I restarted and it felt great; I felt more refreshed than I had been in a long time. That routine took over my morning reading and interpretation, but I did make some detailed and interesting notes on chakra clearing which I will be sharing once I refine them. However, this morning I did get back to it and I have a lot to share. I started by pulling the following: RUMI (of course), the King James Version of the Bible, the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, the Bagavad Geta and a copy of Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (this one surprised me but I felt I needed to stick with my gut and not ignore it, although I did have my doubts). All of the books randomly chosen when I went into the office early this morning, as my coffee brewed.
The first passage I read and noted was from RUMI, but I have to admit, for some reason, I wasn’t feeling it right away. Maybe I had chosen RUMI too often this week. The excerpt below came from what seemed like an unnamed poem or maybe it was called The Stranger, it was hard to interpret.
“Don’t sleep now, let the turning night wheel through this circle. Your brow, the moon, this lantern we sit with…stay awake with these lights. Don’t Sleep.” RUMI
When we think of night, we think sleep, rest, and the healing that is delivered during that repose. However, in this case, and what I interpreted throughout the rest of the poem, we are being encouraged to take the time to observe and ‘live the moments in the time of healing’ as moon and tide re-energize the earth. We are encouraged to be the observer and not just the beneficiary of the rest and the healing. Let’s see where this leads. After making my notes, I slipped back into breathing and meditation and almost as if a social media filter had been turned on, I noticed stripes and flecks of light began to randomly streak the yard as the sun began to rise up. I breathed deeply as the Tibetan healing bowls playing on my phone filled me with sound and vibration. I opened the Bible.
“Have mercy upon me, oh God, according to thy loving kindness, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions, wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from sin.” PSALM 51: 1-2
More healing and cleansing, much like RUMI called for us to observe at night, here was a request to God for the same knowing that it was good and necessary. The sense was there was no fear in the request to God, but an expectation that God would exact those tender mercies, just like the night delivers to us automatically and without hesitation. I thought the connection was important as it demonstrated that the same thing can come in different forms, one with and one without a specific request and that it was important to observe both sides of the process. The truth is at the end of most days, especially lately, healing is necessary…receive it in the form of natural rest of request of God.
Now the next reading got a little confusing, at first. You could say that for a minute of two, I stopped trusting the process. I opened Maya Angelou’s book, hoping to find a poem amidst the prose (the odds were not in my favor with this hope). I began to read a paragraph about graduation preparation. I began to think, well this one is a bit off as I continued for a few more paragraphs. I wasn’t hoping for any additional clarity, but because Ms. Angelou’s prose is just as beautiful as her poetry…I was indulging. Once done I placed the book on the pile of completed reading. I went back to focusing on the sound of the bowls and breathing deeply. Then it hit me: I reached for the book but could not find the passages I read so I scrambled to remember it and note my now relevant thoughts. The paragraphs were describing complex changes from subtle actions in the life of those graduating. As the excitement of the times grew the focus was on the preparations for the celebrations and the pageantry. However, the anxiety of the expectations and the anticipation of profound change was realized to be almost irreversible. There was the realization of the pressure that comes with opportunity and its required tax of change and re-birth, exacted from those who dare to move forward. Change, rebirth, growth all provide the promise of opportunity and the cost of irreversibility. We have all taken that step forward with the knowing that you cannot go home again. We are asked to trust the process with no guarantees and without hesitation, I knew there was a reason I pulled that book. I just needed to be patient to see it. Breath and bowls took me to my next passage.
“Even while in a body, the Enlightened beings (nana-yogis or jnanis) transcend any notion of existence, separate from God. They continually focus their minds on the absolute oneness of Divinity, and on their own unity with THAT. Since the divine is flawless, they are likewise without blemish or bias reflecting God’s utter perfection. This perfection is the same in all; it is called ATMA – and yet only the wise perceive it.” The Bhagavad Gita – The Light of Wisdom Sec 19
Sometimes some forget, while some are still waiting to find out, and then there are some that will never know…we are made (born) perfect, in God’s image and every other way. We must learn to be still, hear our hearts and strive to remember that once we have that wisdom, our purpose aligns to that of the Universe. This realization takes time. Most need to evolve to such a revelation. Others achieve it through reflection, meditation, penance, healing and forgiveness as well as embracing the path and the required courage to accept it as truth.
As the readings came together, the final one provided an important point as I felt the power of the previous. From Lao Tzu:
If you want to grab the world and run it, I can see that you will not succeed.
The world is a spiritual vessel that cannot be controlled.
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow.
Sometimes you are stifled, sometimes you breathe easy
Sometimes you are strong, sometimes you are weak
Sometimes you destroy, and sometimes you are destroyed
Hence, the sage shuns excess
Shuns grandiosity
Shuns arrogance
Tao Te Ching #29
Be aware of your need to recharge, refresh, reenergize. We all need to heal. Be aware of your strength, your power and your Divine connection and, trust the process of being…be strong, know your worth and your power, yet remember to be humble.
Thank you for taking the time to read…as always I am grateful for any feedback you may have on my thoughts…
the divine art of chilling out 