There are times when life demands us to become spiritual warriors, to stay centered in the heart, especially when the winds of change blow furiously. For me, that time is now. I’ve been avoiding feeling the despair of Kamala losing the election and all that that means. We all deal with loss in our own way. A part of me has retreated. I’m integrating, digesting, and realizing that I am in the minority.
Congratulations are in order for those who won. I remember how winning felt last election. This time, for those who feel that they lost, including myself, my words of wisdom are these – hang in there.
Be a spiritual warrior. Don’t ever give up on yourself, your values, or your country. I recognize that that may be really hard right now.
I’m using this time to practice positive affirmation, positive envisioning, and getting my head in a good space to be able to be compassionate, caring, and loving to myself and others.
The heart is resilient. It knows how to contract and expand. That’s its job. Now all we have to do is allow the heart to do its work. We need to get out of our own way. Yet, at the same time, we do have agency. We are co-participators with the universe. How do we want to participate?
For me, I turn toward my practice. I continue to deepen my sadhana and take good care of my health. I take good care of my relationships, my family, and friends. I do the best I can in any given moment. And I choose to be a spiritual warrior and not give up.
As yogis, can we bring comfort to our discomfort? How do we breathe and let go, while also allowing ourselves to feel all of our feelings?
Emotions are the body’s guidance system that signposts something deeper. When we allow ourselves to feel, we open the doorway to deeper meaning, to shine the light on what we truly value. When we align with our values and not give up on ourselves or life, then the clouds begin to clear. We begin to see our way through.
I don’t have any answers for anyone. But I do know, through direct experience, that yoga works. The practice of mantra, meditation, pranayama, and asana helps to bring more integration and peace.
Practice helps to clear the air inside. Remember that the heart is resilient. And when we find the balance between letting go and stepping up, the heart opens, and we recognize our true nature which is infinitely expanding with freedom and bliss. “You are the sky. Everything else? That’s just the clouds.” Pema Chödrön.
Hang in there! Come join a sadhana class! Get back into the practice of yoga and gain the support of other like-minded yogis. Tap back into the universal spirit within that is waiting for you to come home. Remember you are not alone! We are in this together!
Here are the lyrics to one of my favorite, most uplifting songs, by Sam Baker, Go In Peace:
Go in peace. Go in kindness.
Go in love. Go in faith.
Leave the day, the day behind us.
The day is done. Go in grace.
Let us go into the dark. Not afraid. Not alone.
Let us hope by some good pleasure
Safely to return at home.
Let us hope by some good pleasure
Safely to return at home.
Have a listen here.
Keep taking care of yourself! I’ll see you on the mat!
Namaste,
Todd
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Yes, take care of yourself first. But don't stop there. The world needs us now more than ever.