“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.” -Rumi
How do we remain centered in Love with All. The. Violence? Over and over again we get tripped up with our questions, shaking fists, head in hands, pointing fingers, on our knees-with the repeated patterns of violence, seemingly getting worse, yet always there, just showing up in different ways over time. We are devestated. We are angry. We are deeply saddened. We are crying. We are feeling deeply. This past week, nationally, globally, What?! Why? How? Who?!
We grieve in our differnt ways and feel sadness, anger, hate, and other darker emotions. Sometimes we want to act from these emotions. Some of us move into anger wanting immediate-and oft times, just as violent an action for justice. Some of us turn to blame of the times, "When I was younger it was never this bad." Some of us move into seperation, good-versus-evil mentality. Some helpless-feeling like a drop in the ocean as to what can be done positively.
For me, I feel and think all those things at different points. Then as I watch the emotions, get Present and breath, I get inside myself, and remember that peace inside. Whether on my yoga mat, having a disagreement with a loved one, battling a harsh self-judgement, or guiding my two-year-old through a tantrum, I get centered in love.
Sometimes this take-care-of-yourself space seems like it might not have that much impact on a larger scale. To some, it may seem selfish, trivial. Some cynics-or on the other end-some with a more martydom perspective-may feel like "taking care of what's right in front [and inside] of oneself-the more intimate actions, are a drop in an ocean of trouble and chaos.
When I consider how I might be a part of a larger positive evolutionary shift, I recognize that it actually HAS to be as simple as starting with myself. I can practice [yoga] what grounds me in the reality of what is going on, while opening me up to the potential of my greatest hopes and intentions--for the coming together and healing of misaction, displaced anger, wrong perception in the world.
I can take care of what is in right front of me: nurturing my children, bringing warmth into my home, strengthening the relationships around me, lend a hand to the woman who has lent many hands before me at the grocery store, listen to that person who is lonely, look in someone's eyes and say thank you. And before I can apply the practice externally, I must have a deep inner practice, so that I know I am acting from a place of self-love, commitment, openess, compassion. If the inner work is not done, then from where does our outer response to the world and our actions come?
Larry Ward, a former Fortune 500 management consultant firm owner, ordained Baptist minister, and the director of a meditation and healing arts center, says this, "I am a drop in the ocean, but I am also the ocean. I am a drop in America. Every pain, every confusion, every good and every bad and every ugly of America is in me. And as I am able to transform myself and heal myself and take care of myself, I am very conscious that I am healing America...ever small, ever slowly."
I urge you to find ways to remain centered in love. Practice life in a way that gets you intimate with the Presence of yourSelf while hanging in the greater fold of humanity. Be sure to have support for when it feels too hard, too sad, too dark.
Maybe that means taking a walk with a loved one under the light of the full moon-the same moon we all see.
Maybe it means gathering the forgiveness, love, and strength to pick up that phone, write that letter, let it go.
Maybe it means you practice yoga, or do whatever brings real inner presence.
Join me on the mat!
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