This Week's Quotation:
O best among men [Arjuna], the person who is not disturbed by happiness and distress and is steady in both is certainly eligible for liberation.
~ Bhagavad Gita
Maintaining Equilibrium
Bexx Biehl, Reiki Master, Yogini/Certified Yoga, and Meditation Teacher
This quote touched my heart and soul in a deep way because of the clarity and simplicity of the message. To me, it says, let nothing disturb your mind and simply be present in each moment, and this is how you will be free. As a human, having a spiritual experience on Earth, we can easily get caught up in the roller coaster of life.
When we get lost in the highs of the hills and brought down by the lows of the valleys, it’s challenging to maintain presence in the world the way we would like to. Instead, we are being influenced by the world. It is difficult to truly be of service to humanity when we are swept up in life’s ebbs and flows. What could happen, for each of us individually and as a collective body of humanity, if we set our intentions to do our best to stay steady through the ups and downs?
Many esteemed teachers have given their interpretation over time on this passage from the Bhagavad Gita. One renowned spiritual teacher says basically that to be truly free, you must live a life of Sannyasa, which is a path of renouncing things in and of this world. Some teachers say that the only way to find real liberation from the pains of this world is to leave everything behind—to move away from all that you know—and then, and only then, can you finally be liberated and know this energy of God in your life.
While I can respect the idea and general thinking behind this, I feel this belief is outdated. If everyone who wanted to know God and themselves on a deeper level sort of just gave up on life while we are having a collective spiritual awakening, who would be left to make this world work, tending to the basic things in life?
As I reflect on what is required from us as conscious participators in life, I perceive a modern path of Sannyasa. We renounce the old ways of being that no longer serve us while bringing this quality of God through each of us into the world. Instead of leaving behind our families, homes, careers, and hobbies, we infuse all we do with this energy of devotion to the source of all by remaining a steady force of positivity and love for all people and circumstances we meet.
In this new year, after several years of massive worldwide changes, it feels as though we are all warriors now being asked to find new ways to remain steady in this constantly shifting world. By renouncing what no longer serves us and choosing the path of steadiness as our devotional practice, we are to naturally know true freedom that can only come from inside each of us, and then it is our joy to share this freedom with the world around us.
About Open Windows
We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world's sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.
We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.
THANK YOU, Bexx, Arjuna, and Terri, Great to be in that central zone with you where emotional highs and lows cannot distract, nor can sensational and tragic events of the world. Thank you for reminding of this important and timeless advice. Love, tom C.
Bexx – this is a beautiful blessing to us all – thank you!!!
How beautiful and true, Bexx! I once thought that true spirituality required that I withdraw as much as I could from the world and live a life of renunciation. But you have it just right, we are “here to infuse all we do with this energy of devotion to the source of all.” I am here to infuse everything I think, say and do with the ordering power of Love flowing from the core of my Being.
Thank you so much, Bexx! I remember an old saying “There are two absolutes in life…Death and Taxes”. I would add ‘Change’ to that list. One of my favourite reminders in times of challenge is “This,too, shall pass”. Change is the ever changing flow of creative consciousness, and with our willing connection to the Higher Source of Creation there is Heaven on Earth.