Why must I accept this???
I write this a day after my beautiful place of birth was bombed by three separate attacks by terrorists killing and maiming its citizens randomly only in order to uphold the twisted idea of patriotism and brotherhood espoused by its perpetrators.
It is the perfect time for me to question the idea of 'acceptance'. Am I to accept what happened to my city? Am I to accept it as a non-violent follower of Gandhi and his teachings of peace that brought my country to freedom from Colonialism?
I know the mind is screaming at the top of its voice, to avenge this attack. An eye for an eye. The argument veering towards righteousness using morality and justice as its excuse. They were wrong, they need to be punished. Your city was attacked and it is your moral duty to fight back and "correct" the equation.
And then, I received an email about a young Indian techie who started a helpline using twitter in the spur of the moment which grew from a list of 5 people willing to help victims to 500 in a few hours. It made me remember the power of acceptance just when I was on the brink of forgetting.
The power that flows within when we accept what is/has happened and focus on whats possible. Were we to give ourselves the gift of accepting what is more often, we would be enormously grateful for the hidden power that lies beneath. The power to transform oneself from feeling helpless and angry to feeling hopeful and calm.
There is never a good reason to avenge anything or anyone. We all live in a time when the slogan "war on terror" does not seem comic-tragic, if not highly misguided. What does it say when one nation can declare war as its primary intention to bring about peace?? With what higher moral authority can that nation then simultaneously denounce the act of terror by another?
I pray that we all are reminded of the blessing that acceptance brings into our lives. Acceptance as the magical treasure trove within us which can light the way through our darkest hour if we are willing to believe in its promise of total transformation.
It is the perfect time for me to question the idea of 'acceptance'. Am I to accept what happened to my city? Am I to accept it as a non-violent follower of Gandhi and his teachings of peace that brought my country to freedom from Colonialism?
I know the mind is screaming at the top of its voice, to avenge this attack. An eye for an eye. The argument veering towards righteousness using morality and justice as its excuse. They were wrong, they need to be punished. Your city was attacked and it is your moral duty to fight back and "correct" the equation.
And then, I received an email about a young Indian techie who started a helpline using twitter in the spur of the moment which grew from a list of 5 people willing to help victims to 500 in a few hours. It made me remember the power of acceptance just when I was on the brink of forgetting.
The power that flows within when we accept what is/has happened and focus on whats possible. Were we to give ourselves the gift of accepting what is more often, we would be enormously grateful for the hidden power that lies beneath. The power to transform oneself from feeling helpless and angry to feeling hopeful and calm.
There is never a good reason to avenge anything or anyone. We all live in a time when the slogan "war on terror" does not seem comic-tragic, if not highly misguided. What does it say when one nation can declare war as its primary intention to bring about peace?? With what higher moral authority can that nation then simultaneously denounce the act of terror by another?
I pray that we all are reminded of the blessing that acceptance brings into our lives. Acceptance as the magical treasure trove within us which can light the way through our darkest hour if we are willing to believe in its promise of total transformation.
Is that really so??
A regular practice of self inquiry in some Buddhist spiritual traditions revolves around the question "is that really so??"
Seems like a fairly insipid question on the surface but when one does ask oneself, one is brought face-to-face with one's deepest held beliefs and presumptions..
So the belief, "I am not good enough.." is a good starting point. Challenge your arguments. Ask yourself honestly where you picked up that notion? Is it really your own voice or somebody else?
Once you have committed to this question sincerely you will realise the first fluttery feelings of freedom. Freedom from self-limited thoughts and negative emotions. Closer to the truth of who you really have always been and are.
That is so!
Seems like a fairly insipid question on the surface but when one does ask oneself, one is brought face-to-face with one's deepest held beliefs and presumptions..
So the belief, "I am not good enough.." is a good starting point. Challenge your arguments. Ask yourself honestly where you picked up that notion? Is it really your own voice or somebody else?
Once you have committed to this question sincerely you will realise the first fluttery feelings of freedom. Freedom from self-limited thoughts and negative emotions. Closer to the truth of who you really have always been and are.
That is so!
The Moment of Peace
I am gifting myself an hour of peace, stillness and spaciousness..will you???
www.themomentofpeace.com
www.themomentofpeace.com
Mirror Mirror On The Wall
Looking into the mirror
My version of Louise Hay's Classic Mirror exercise
Go to a mirror and look deeply into your eyes. Try to resist all impulses to touch your hair/adjusting or beautifying any facial features. Resist from judging your face superficially, like scowling at your nose etc ;)
Then as you are connected to your eyes alone, stay there. Stay.
Observe what comes up. What it feels like? What needs to be acknowledged? What is behind that stare? Nothing? Too much?
Then ask yourself who is looking at yourself?
Is it the person you are today, at this moment of the day in your life?
Or is it some version of yourself? A younger version who is perceiving yourself? If so, how old is she/he?
The same self that was hurt, was scared and did not have the tools and ability that you have today?
Go back to the feelings/emotions/thoughts that you are experiencing just now as you lock your gaze in the mirror looking into your eyes.
Ask again, who is this persona?
Are you willing and ready to play the role of student instead of a victim of your pain?
Are you ready to step back from the story your mind is replaying in your head which brings in the emotions and instead watch yourself step into a place of power. The power that the present moment brings when you realise that you are not a child anymore. No you are an adult. Say aloud the current date. For eg, it is MAY 20, 2011 4pm on Friday.
Take a deep breath.
Then,
Say to yourself
I am ready and willing to be a student of my wounds instead of being a victim.
I am the observer in the theatre of my life and choose to learn the lessons that make me grow.
I am safe, always protected and loved.
All is well, All is well, All is well.
And so it is.
Have a beautiful light filled day!
My version of Louise Hay's Classic Mirror exercise
Go to a mirror and look deeply into your eyes. Try to resist all impulses to touch your hair/adjusting or beautifying any facial features. Resist from judging your face superficially, like scowling at your nose etc ;)
Then as you are connected to your eyes alone, stay there. Stay.
Observe what comes up. What it feels like? What needs to be acknowledged? What is behind that stare? Nothing? Too much?
Then ask yourself who is looking at yourself?
Is it the person you are today, at this moment of the day in your life?
Or is it some version of yourself? A younger version who is perceiving yourself? If so, how old is she/he?
The same self that was hurt, was scared and did not have the tools and ability that you have today?
Go back to the feelings/emotions/thoughts that you are experiencing just now as you lock your gaze in the mirror looking into your eyes.
Ask again, who is this persona?
Are you willing and ready to play the role of student instead of a victim of your pain?
Are you ready to step back from the story your mind is replaying in your head which brings in the emotions and instead watch yourself step into a place of power. The power that the present moment brings when you realise that you are not a child anymore. No you are an adult. Say aloud the current date. For eg, it is MAY 20, 2011 4pm on Friday.
Take a deep breath.
Then,
Say to yourself
I am ready and willing to be a student of my wounds instead of being a victim.
I am the observer in the theatre of my life and choose to learn the lessons that make me grow.
I am safe, always protected and loved.
All is well, All is well, All is well.
And so it is.
Have a beautiful light filled day!
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