It was as if I suddenly saw the secret beauty of their hearts, the depths of their hearts where neither sin nor desire nor self-knowledge can reach, the core of their reality, the person that each one is in God’s eyes. If only they could all see themselves as they really are. If only we could see each other that way all the time. There would be no more war, no more hatred, no more cruelty, no more greed..."
~ Thomas Merton (Trappist monk, theologian, mystic)
Dearest Beloveds,
I hope you will allow me to call you that.
Some of you I know intimately. Some of you are dear friends and/or long-time yoga or meditation students. Some have attended retreats or workshops with me. Some of you are family.
Others among you I may have only met briefly or are new friends. Some I may not have met at all, although we are connected here or on Facebook or perhaps in some other way.
And yet still, I consider you all my beloveds.
I care deeply about you, about your families, about your wellbeing.
I want you to be well, to be safe, to feel loved and nourished - this and every day.
This is such a challenging time. We are facing such enormous requirements on so many levels.
What is ours to do in regards to our health - and that of others - as we all move through this pandemic together, individually and collectively?
What is ours to do in terms of racial justice - both personally and as a society? What do we need to learn - and what action is ours to take?
What is required of us professionally and/or financially? Are we having to remake ourselves, seek different kinds of employment or work in different ways?
So many challenges - each of them large - and all happening at the same time.
It can be hard to feel peaceful and nourished at times like these.
And yet, it is utterly essential that we do so. In fact, it is at times like these that it is most important to do so - to pause, to step back, to breathe - to allow ourselves some respite. To take extra good care of ourselves.
We simply must - despite all the internal and external pressures to take action - on so many fronts.
As renowned meditation teacher Jack Kornfield so wisely counsels, this is a time to steady our hearts. Then and only then can we stand up and take effective action.
In fact, it is in this pausing that we can begin to see more clearly that which is ours to do. It is in this pausing that we might begin to truly see the secret beauty in the hearts of all to which Thomas Merton refers in the quote above. The sacred beauty that once seen allows us to love people we don't even know. The beauty that is at the source of why I love you.
Mahatma Gandhi famously used to take one day a week for meditation and contemplation - even when things were exploding around him. Sometimes those who worked closely were him were baffled at how he could do so when things were literally falling apart outside his door. But he knew this was the only way he could truly lead - the only way he could remain steady and strong for all that stood before him.
And so, please allow yourself space. Take a break. Sit down and breathe. Practice your yoga. Meditate. Sit in prayer. Step outside and breathe in some fresh air. Move your body. Dance. Play.
Allow your heart to rest - and be restored.
May you find peace and calm within today.
May this peace and calm clear your vision.
May this vision restore your faith in the love and sacred beauty within yourself - and every other living soul.
Amen.
Cindy