Today, I’ve unmasked a new monster lurking inside me- desire.
In today’s mediation class I heard,
“Some children know in which powers they are weak…but they do not reach the seed. Therefore, what is the result? They prune the branches of that weakness and thereby feel for a short time as though that weakness has finished. However, because the seed is still there, because it receives the water of various situations, the branches of that weakness start to grow again…Finish the weakness by knowing the seed.”
I felt that I have simplified my life to a hilt but today I realized that my carelessness, laziness, love for comfort, lack of discipline (at times) and not being economical are the branches of the seed of desire.
I’ve been fighting my weaknesses for a long time and they kept on sprouting again and again. Thank you for showing me the way to end this.
I’m ready to go and serve. I feel full and clean. I am happy and content. My mind still wanders at times but it’s easier to call it back to refocus. I still need to completely burn all the traces of desire but I feel that the seed has already died. I will continue to make consistent effort back in my service place. Thank you, Baba. I love you!
I’m back in Manila.On the plane back home, everything somehow gelled.While reading Anthony Strano’s book on angels, I realized that the call for me now is not to simply be a yogi but to be an angel- one who has constant connection with The One that she can be an instrument to spread God’s light and love to many.
“Heroes aren’t born, but they are created in times of strife and struggle. Everyone is capable of being a hero in their own way, often without even knowing it, they are a hero to those around them.” ~ Unknown
Meet Eugene
Eugene bikes for 25 to 29 kilometres 4 times a week- given it doesn’t rain. He hauls his bike from Imus Cavite to Makati City and back twice a week and from Imus to a hospital in Dasmarinas Cavite twice a week.
“How long does it take you to reach your destination?”, I asked.
“Around an hour”, he nonchalantly replied as though moving through Manila’s and Cavite's traffic in 2 wheels is the easiest thing in the world.
He confided that at the start, he was merely traversing a distance of 700 meters ( which took him around 2 minutes) and then he gradually increased this distance. Now, he could easily manage 60 kilometres in a day ( 3-5 hours including the rest time ).
Why did you start biking?, I continued to inquire.
“Initially, it was for health reasons. I used to jog and thought of trying out biking. Also, I wanted to avoid the traffic and decrease my transportation cost”, he said.
“Then, I heard of the climate change issue and I included it in my reasons.”
“How did you make shift?”, I prodded.
“It was hard to adjust my routine initially
(I used to drive around the metro.) but I saw benefits- improved health, less expense and help to the environment.”
Like a staunch advocate that he is, he raised both hands, stomped his feet and bellowed, “Bike is life!”
Meet Marra
“I became more open to a lifestyle change because of yoga. It taught me how to live simply.”, confided Marra a 1 year old pescetarian.
“How did you start?,” I asked.
“I started letting go of meat when I attended a yoga retreat for a weekend where we were only served vegan food.”
“Initially, I was wary of the diet because of my active lifestyle. I run marathons and I thought I need meat to sustain my fitness regimen.”
“Actually, I feel lighter now. In fact, my performance improved after
I changed my diet.”
“Why are you still at it?”, I queried.
“For good health. Then, I became more conscious when I watched the 'Cowspiracy' documentary. I was shocked to know that our food supply is responsible for a big percentage of carbon emission which causes climate change."
According to the documentary, animal agriculture is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions, more than the combined exhaust from all transportation.
“What’s your understanding of climate change?”, I followed up.
“Climate change is the end of the world.” (if we don’t do anything about it)
The Hotseat
Whether you admit it or not, you have the capacity to be a hero too. The question is, “Are you willing to change so that you can save the world?”.
I know CHANGE is a big word. Just as Eugene and Marra attest- it’s not easy but if your why is bigger than your excuses then it can be done.
How about starting with a step? Just think of 1 thing you can do to better yourself and the world and then start it this very second.
P.S. I would love to hear how it goes for you.
P.P.S. When I say you, I’m addressing myself as well.
"I am now more accepting of myself and others… open to the flow… responding to what emerges… excited about revelations and delighted about love.”, shared Tina, a 3-month-old meditation student from Bicol.
I asked her about how meditation has helped her and that was her poetic response.
“Wow, you unblocked me!”, she exclaimed when I read back her answer.
“Well, you unblocked yourself”, I told her.
“That was your experience. I simply asked a question.”, I said.
I asked the same question to Sister Becky, a student of meditation for 30 years.
She told me, “I got interested in meditation because of an ad that says, ‘Regain Your Creativity. Try Meditation.’ I was writing modules for programs at that time and my boss was always pressuring me to produce. I was so stressed.”
“When I started meditating, I learn not to take sorrow. There was no longer any burden of relationship. Then because I wasn't bothered, I think better.”
“So, you didn't get hurt when your boss gives you negative feedback?”, I queried.
“Well, I felt I can handle getting hurt.”
These two meditators taught me 2 invaluable lessons: to be delighted about love and to learn to handle the hurt.
What stood out for you in their sharing?
If you want to learn to meditate, please click this link so you can look for a meditation center near you (available in 110 countries).
If you are in Makati, you are warmly invited to this event with BK Judy Johnson- author, facilitator and coordinator at Brahma Kumaris Halifax, Canada.
Once upon a time when the world was new, we are 100% aware of our truth. We knew that the body is simply the container of our true selves. We fully understood that the body is the box and we are the precious diamond inside it.
In that state of pure awareness, we expressed the beauty of the soul naturally. There was only giving and receiving of peace, love and happiness. There was harmony and unity in the self and consequently in the world.
As time passed by, the light of the soul gradually decreased to 75%. It wasn’t perfect but the balance was still tilted to the beautiful side. We were still aware that we are beings of peace and we need not go the mountains to find it. We knew that we were love and we don’t look for someone to complete us. We understood that we are happiness and we don’t need anything or anyone to make us happy.
Then, a shift occurred. We forgot that we are diamonds and we began to identify with the boxes. The soul’s light dimmed at 50% capacity. We started comparing boxes (appraising which one is better) and collecting stickers (recognitions), hats (positions), and trophies (possessions) to decorate our dispensable boxes.
As we identified more and more with the body, the dimmer the light became. At 25% capacity, we began giving and taking sorrow. We thought we are better than others while at times we put ourselves down (ego). We resorted to anger to control people and situations. We gave in to desires (lust) and we were never satisfied (greed). We refused to let go of people or possessions (attachment).
In this state of amnesia- confusion, chaos and division arised. We became like beasts and started taking, fighting and killing. The world turned ugly.
At present, the light of most souls are flickering. Most of us have forgotten who we truly are. We need to remember. We are not merely specks of dust. We are more than flesh and bones. We are spirits- beings of peace, love and happiness. We are souls and we need to start to connect to The Source of all that is good before our light dies out. Then, we can be beautiful once again and the world will be renewed.
It’s new year once again! If you’ve broken the resolutions you made on January 1. Then, you can start anew.
Kung hei fat choi!!!
Kudos to you for making a resolution and wanting to change. It’s easier to stay in the comfort of the easy and familiar. So know that the first few attempts to shift will be painful. Your old habits will pull you back to your normal routine. It’s going to be a tug of war between your determination and your old pattern (Patterns may be beneficial or not. Please know that we are talking about those patterns we need to change in this post.).
In Hindi, the term for habits or patterns is sanskara. It is something which is deeply rooted in the soul because the action has been used over and over for years- for several lifetimes even. So, its foundation is very strong- so strong that you do it without thinking. It has become your natural tendency- your default setting.
A sanskara (pattern) grows like a tree. A one week old tree can be easily plucked without a fuss while you need a shovel to take out a one year old tree. On the other hand, you need a team or a machine to dig out a 5 year old tree. Imagine what it will take to uproot a 100 year old tree.
I just want you to understand that when you change, you are also fighting a formidable force. It is something that has grown larger than life because you built it gradually over a long period of time. So know that you need everything in your arsenal to defeat it.
Here are the things which worked for me.
1. Know your strengths
Can you identify your top 3 strengths? These are the qualities which helped you accomplish things, feel good about yourself and allow you to move forward in your path. These are your ultimate weapons in this tug of war. Hold these close to your heart at all times.
2. Identify your weaknesses
Do you know what’s holding you back? Don’t merely look at surface behaviors. Ask yourself, “Why do I keep on doing this over and over again.” Do you love yourself enough? Do you seek recognition from others? Do you feel empty? Are you never satisfied? Are you angry? Identify the root of your negative habits so you can strike it at the core.
3. Determination is key
The adage if there’s a will there’s a way is so true. I’ve seen how a strong will moves mountains countless times. At the heart of determination is a clear vision of why you are doing it and where you see yourself heading.
4. If all else fails begin again
Again, let me remind you that when you decide to change you are banging against a powerful force. It will not crumble in a day. Don’t give up if you don't get it right immediately. Just keep on pounding consistently.
5. After you’ve done everything you can, take support from The One.
There is a Being who is the Source of all that is true, good and beautiful. Take power and support from That One. Do whatever works for you- pray, chant a mantra, meditate.
The message of the new year is one of hope. You can begin again!
“You should not burn wastes”, says my 9 year old friend Brie. “It will emit carbon in the air and it will damage our climate.” I couldn’t quite understand carbon footprint and this simple explanation suits me well. “Plants eat carbon but less plants mean more carbon in the atmosphere which is bad for the earth.”, she continues to lecture. To further my studies, I consulted youtube. This is the simplest explanation I got as explained by yet another child.
Malcolm Gladwell says in his book The Tipping Point that “a small but precisely targeted push” can create big change. Can you join me and give your own pledge? Will you help save the world?
