Dear Yoga Student,
I’ve found the last few days a bit of a challenge. These are difficult times, when it’s hard to know what to believe and difficult to perceive a brighter future for humankind on planet Earth. One habit that I have when feeling this way is to pick up the Bhagavad Gita and see what wisdom is written on the page I’ve opened.
The passage talked about attaining stillness: stillness of the mind, body, intellect and ego. When in this state, we can recognise our unity, the sense that we are all one, inextricably interconnected. If we truly feel this to be true, then it becomes hard to judge, condemn or feel superior to other people, or indeed other sentient beings. Being centred in stillness, we are able to respond to others with love and respect, from a true sense of equality.
There are so many different opinions, beliefs, viewpoints and theories about what is going on in the big wide world during this time. I’m finding it can be exhausting and challenging to try to make sense of it all. It is an impossible task to work out what is truth and what is not.
However, there are some things we can rely on. When we are in a calm state, we see more of our similarities with others, rather than our differences. This viewpoint allows us to treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves: with respect and kindness. By cultivating kind relationships with others, regardless of their beliefs, we create resilient communities. In this way we can support each other to withstand difficult times by helping each other in times of need. I’ve seen this support in action recently in the flash flooding in London. Us humans do know how to pull together in an emergency!
As the world shapes itself around us, so too can we shape ourselves to be calmer, more loving human beings. This action will in turn have a beneficial effect on our relationships, families, neighbourhoods and cities. In this way we can create positive change and a better future for all.
With love and good wishes, Julia
