Let It Be—When We Can
I remember when the Beatles’ song came out; it was right before my college graduation in 1970. So much was happening. I was off to the Peace Corps, ready to change the world, to make a difference. Little did I know, the most changing would be happening to me, not to anybody I encountered in my teaching English in the Philippines.
I do remember being super-touched by the song. Somehow, I understood something—without understanding anything about acceptance. I somehow knew they, my Beatle-Heroes, were on to something.
Little did I know the profundity of this concept, and the massive importance it would play later in my life.
When I got sober, I heard again and again this core 12 Step concept:
“Acceptance is the answer to all of my problems today.”*
What?
I had no idea what it meant.
Yet again, I suspected—I felt some profundity lurking below the surface of these words.
Time would teach me.
Experience would expect from me.
Life would demand of me,
Again and again and again.
To just let things be as they are.
It doesn’t mean we have to like it—the person, the place, the thing
That we are accepting.
Nor does it mean we do nothing—acceptance does not equal inertia.
It means pausing,
Releasing,
Surrendering,
Letting it be
As it is,
Then taking action.
And then,
Most importantly,
Letting go
Of the outcome
Of our actions.
Another good 12 Step one-liner:
“Life on life’s terms.”**
Right?
To be present
With what is.
What a practice.
And it is a practice.
Not a getting-it-right-and-being-done.
A practice.
~~~
I love this saying—
You touch it, you own it.
No kidding.
And then, we practice.
~~~
Acceptance!
Written words seem hard this week.
Still I’m having rugged
Jet-laggy sleep.
So rather than fiddling
With writing,
Here is a guided meditation.
From my heart to yours.
A Meditation—Let It Be
I don’t remember how I discovered the PS22 Chorus.
Probably someone sent their videos to me.
Here is some information about them:
“The PS22 Chorus, directed by Gregg Breinberg, is a Webby Award-winning public elementary school chorus from PS 22 in Staten Island, New York. It is composed of 60-70 fifth-graders. PS22 Chorus has performed with a multitude of musical acts (e.g. Katy Perry, O.A.R., Carrie Underwood, Portugal. The Man, and Fifth Harmony) and has had celebrated appearances on numerous national and international broadcasts throughout the years (including the widely publicized performance of “Over The Rainbow” that closed the 83rd Academy Awards). Its videos have gained worldwide attention on YouTube. To date, the Chorus’s YouTube videos have been watched more than 100 million times.”
Here is their dear rendition of Let It Be:
~~~
Friends,
One step at a time,
May we practice
Being right here,
Right now.
One breath at a time,
May we experience
This moment,
As it is.
One second at a time,
May we wrap ourselves up
In gentle kindness,
No matter how we
Are showing up.
To practice.
To kindness.
To life,
Aruni
—
May all beings benefit from our time together
An Invite
Are you ready to stop living in yesterday’s story and start embracing the present?
This signature program guides you on a journey of self-discovery, helping you uncover what’s holding you back from being fully alive.
Through mindful yoga, breathwork, and deep relaxation (to name a few), you’ll learn to notice self-created obstacles with compassion and cultivate strategies to live with authenticity and joy. Find your way back to the moment, and take home sustainable practices to keep the momentum going.
Ready to start your journey? Send me an email today! thecoacharuni@gmail.com
Where: Kripalu Center For Yoga & Health
When: October 17-20
~~
*The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, page 47
**The Big Book, page 417