Disguised as You

Retooled from January 29, 2017

I am one and you are one and we are all together, one.

This line from a song by Chaula Hopefisher speaks the perspective that a multitude of wisdom traditions espouse, that of unity consciousness. I played this song during the Inner Quest Intensive, a profound self-discovery program that I was blessed to lead for several decades. It helped me to set the tone for the entire program, which was one of sharing and receiving, of creating intentional community.

The tradition of yoga, the union with self, with others and with all, has an ocean of references to this oneness to which we, all life, belong. From the Ulpaladeva’s Shiva-Stotra, which are sutras or truisms devoted to Lord Shiva, we hear this powerful perspective:

There is no other happiness here in this moment
Than to be free of the thought
That I am different from you.

The Bhavgata Gita, ancient yogic text, (purists amongst you, forgive my gender adjustment here) proclaims the following:

She who is rooted in oneness
realizes that I am
in every being, wherever
she goes, she remains in me.
When she sees all beings as equal
in suffering or in joy
because they are like herself,
that being has grown perfect in yoga.

(6.29-32)

Not terribly differently, we Jews, bless us, proclaim in the Shema, the cornerstone of Jewish prayer, that all of creation is formed by that which is greater than ourselves. Therefore, there is no literal separation between us and all other life, since the Grace of Creation (whatever you want to call it—energy, prana, God, Grace, Nothing) lives in everything. We are all literally made of the same stuff. Way cool, no?

And now quantum physics tells us that there exists a unified energetic field, underlying and connecting everything in creation. Science catches up with the wisdom traditions? Super-way-cool.

But/and, what might this have to do with you, with me, with us, in this moment in time? As we live into the unknown of this new cultural and political era, we’re told that people from “other places” don’t necessarily belong “here”. How can we live in this split between universal truth and this political moment? How can we practice unity consciousness to disrupt (in the most positive and passive sense of the word) the illusion of separation, as spiritual activism requests of us?

First, let’s simply consider. Here are some questions to ponder, to chew upon, maybe to journal—or not. Just consider:

Today, just for today, do I make myself different and separate from the people around me? How?
What do I gain, what’s the payoff, from this behavior?

What is one thing I can do today, just for today, to connect with another?

And as a practice, for today, for this week, for this moment:

Notice without judgment someone around you, someone you do or do not know. Notice any fear or separation you put between yourselves. Imagine yourself softening, relaxing, and opening to this person. Nothing to do externally—allow this internal practice to remind you of the capacity change your brain, your body, and your behavior.

I know I pull away from others when I’m scared. My internal dialogue sounds like, “I’ll just figure this out and get back to you”. My practice this week will be to take my ambivalence, my fear, my not knowing, unfiltered and unprocessed, to another. I don’t want to do this. And I will.

Dear folks, I hope there was something tangible in this blog for you this week. As always, please keep in touch. Hearing from you is a gift of gifts.

With love,
Aruni

For Practice

Rebooted from July 3, 2016

This quote written in 1667 by Isaac Penington, an early member of the Society of Friends, calls us into right action.  Just as the Dali Lama expresses his skepticism about the limits of prayer and encourages us into action, so does this stunning set of spiritual intentions.

What if spiritual practice really is about re-training our brains so our behavior can change, opening our hearts to one another so the inherent unity between all living things can be strengthened?  If ever there were a time for practice, the moment seems to be now, my friends.  The world needs our practice.  We need each other’s practice, as we need our own.

I invite you into one of these intentions—which speaks most deeply to your heart?  Walk through its doorway.  Make it real—do something different.  Make this centuries’ old Quaker dictate alive today, as July, 2017, opens her arms to us.

• Is there one thing you can do this week to embody tenderness?
  Tenderness toward yourself? Tenderness toward another?

• Is there one person you can talk to this week with heart and truth?
  What would that look like?

• What is a peace-filled gift you can give yourself? Do it! Do it today.

• For whom might you pray? What would that sound like?

• To whom can you help up with a tender hand?
  Offer that gift to the other, to yourself, and to the world.

Give yourself full permission to practice.  May this week of independence free us from the habitual responses we hold toward life and bless us with the freedom of choice. 

And please do, as always, keep me posted. You can reach me confidentially at aruni@rnetworx.com. I am grateful for your hearts.

All blessings,
Aruni

It’s not about Lunch

If there be one yogic perspective that rattles the cages of many of us Westerners, it is passionate non-attachment.  We generally are able to leap into the passion of our pursuits and our preferences with varying levels of abandonment.  Yet, non-attachment?  Letting go of the results of our actions?  This is the edge of both understanding and comfort for many of us.

In relationship to this essential teaching, I find myself stumbling around words, tap-dancing with ideas.  Quite frankly, I, woman of endless words, am finding words illusive.  So I look to Michael Stone—yogi, Buddhist, activist, wise teacher-soul.  The following is a 4 minute clip in which this kind man invites us into the fullness of life with passion, purpose and surrender.  Please do join him below:

Please consider how this teaching might impact your world. Here are some stepping stones to explore:

• How is the world calling you forth? 
• How might more passion enliven you? 
• What might your non-attachment, your surrender look like?

Dear folks, what a time it is.  As Michael says, the world needs us.  May this teaching from the wisdom traditions touch your world, open your heart, and relax your minds.  May the world around you shimmer with peace, no matter what you are given.

Do keep me posted.  As usual, you can find me at aruni@rnetworx.com.

With all blessings,
Aruni