What Can I Do?
This past weekend in our Teacher Training, a student brought up a great point. We were reading a book about ONEness and how to connect with this idea. She asked, “How can I drive to work connecting to the trees when one of my students has been deported?” This lovely human teaches Middle School right here in Greenville, SC. I share this with each of you as you may be asking yourself the same thing. How can we, sitting in this place of privilege, offer ourselves connection to yoga, meditation, trees, when others are suffering? My answer, how can we not?
This time frame we are in comes with a lot of unpredictability. We have no idea what life is going to look like or the ripple effects of the changes that are occurring now. However, if we can take the time to find our peace, our inner light, we may uncover something else. We might first discover that quiet, unshakeable place within. The swamis often referred to it as the “calm in the center of a storm.” We all have access to this space. It is found in the quiet, in nature, in gazing at a sleeping baby, or a beloved pet. This place reminds us that while there will always be unfortunate news, we all are connected to something larger than any person or event, and we are connected to one another. It doesn’t mean we won’t struggle or suffer, but in that place we uncover our inner resources.
I know I sound like Polly-Anna over here. Life is sunshine and roses. But that’s not it! Life is sunshine and roses and thorns and overgrowth and pruning. I know I sit in a place of priviledge- my family is safe, we have a home, food, savings. I also know this can be stripped away at any moment. So when I am in the shower, I often play this game. “What would I do if it all goes away?” I take stock of all my inner resources, reminding myself who I’d want to be if that happens. I remember the woman in Iraq who shared her story that said her favorite days were when her family was under threats and being bombed. In her village, it brought everyone together in a new way. I’m not saying this is how we want to remember our ONEness. But I remind myself of the resilience of all those who came before. All those who bore unthinkable situations for themselves and their families. And I let myself remember. Then of course, you have to also do the opposite. “What will my life look like if it all works out?”* This is my favorite part and the part we often forget. I see my kids happy- safe to be who they are and express themselves creatively. I see neighbors working together to grow food and share resources. I see kindness everywhere and abundance in the most pure sense. Then, I remember life will fall somewhere in the middle.
When I finish the shower, I am at peace. I allowed myself to see the worst and the best. I remind myself that having a well-regulated nervous system allows me to be present for whatever arises that day. In sitting with your place of peace, you will begin to radiate that peace around you. From a place of peace, we listen and can also communicate in a way that can be heard. When it’s time to take action, we can get still and quiet and move from the place of inner knowing versus panicky pushing. This is a more powerful place to land. When I am at peace, I can be a bringer of peace. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.
*I highly recommend this interview with Dan Harris and Van Jones. He reminds us Dr. Martin Luther King didn’t say, “I have a complaint.” He said, “I have a dream.” We have to remember what world we want to live in and move through life in a way that brings that dream alive as best as we can.
