From the Heart
January really felt like a whole year with so much happening globally and locally. Every year, we expect January to be a fresh start, as we leave behind a year of difficulties and hardship, but that’s rarely the case. The new year can bring new challenges and the need to find new ways to navigate life. We may find ourselves inhabiting the darkness more often especially in these dark winter months especially when things are out of our control. However, yoga teaches us that in those moments, to surrender, to trust in the divinity that we share as living beings. This divine nature is the essence of who we are and as a yogi who practices a lot of Bhakti yoga (the devotional path through the chanting of mantras) I have felt a direct connection to this energy I call ‘love.’
Love is a word that is thrown around all the time sometimes mindlessly, sometimes meaningfully. But what if we planted the seed of something called ‘unconditional’ love in our hearts everyday? Unconditional love is a different kind of love. It is a practice unto itself. It is a way to show up in the world, to see ourselves in the eyes of a stranger, in the eyes of our worst enemy.
I was reminded today of how this type of love starts from within and echoes out into our community, our sangha. I’ve never felt more connected to my community than when I had my daughter, Ava. I have always felt a connection to our yoga community in South Baltimore, but I still felt like somewhat of an outsider. Being a mom showed me how much I needed to be around community especially since Ava was born in the middle of the pandemic and I felt isolated. Fast forward to 2 weeks ago when our local school, FSK, shut down due to mold. Our community of South Baltimore, through all of the mixed emotions of shock, worry, anger, sadness, and fear, focused our minds on the task at hand, led with unconditional love for one another and helped our kids get back to school today. People stepped up to organize, to volunteer, to let their voices be heard all for the greater good of the community that they live in. This is a perfect example of how leading with selfless, unconditional love allows us to thrive. That energy vibrates outward and the ripple effect of our community working together will be felt by the rest of Baltimore City, achieving more necessary change.
This shared trust and surrender to our own divine love is how we continue to evolve our minds and live in harmony. When lower vibrational thoughts enter the mind, replace them with loving ones. When we speak unkind words, replace them with more thoughtful language. Before we react, pause and generate more ‘right action.’ This practice will continue to bring our hearts in alignment with one another even when the path forward is unclear. Unconditional love for yourself, for all beings. “The next Buddha will be a Sangha.” -Thich Nhat Hanh
Practice this Metta Meditation (Loving Kindness) everyday this month:
Find a comfortable seat, steady the breath, then focus the mind on these words. First, say these words silently to yourself, then to a loved one, then to someone neutral (an acquaintance or someone you’ve seen before but don’t know), then to someone you truly dislike. Notice the feelings and emotions that come up. Sit with it, breathe into it, experience it. Then notice how you feel at the end of the month.
May I (you) be happy.
May I (you) be healthy.
May I (you) be safe.
May I (you) be filled with loving-kindness.
May I (you) live with ease.
