This morning in meditation, as I tried to tame what the Tibetans refer to as the ‘monkey mind’ what kept popping into my head was these lyrics from a Jack Johnson song:
In times like these
And times like those
What will be will be
And so it goes
And it always goes
On and on and on and on and on
On and on and on and on and on it goes
And there’s always been laughing, crying, birth, and dying
Boys and girls with hearts that take and give and break
And heal and grow and recreate and raise and nurture
But then hurt from time to times like these
And times like those
What will be will be
And so it goes
And there will always be stop and go and fast and slow
Action, reaction, sticks and stones and broken bones
Those for peace and those for war
And God bless these ones not those ones
But these ones made times like these
And times like those
What will be will be
And so it goes
And it always goes on and on
On and on and on and on and on on and on and on it goes
And I realized once again, with the song lyrics on repeat in my head, that our practice now is so vitally important, and could not be more relevant than in ‘times like these.’ I don’t need to add my own commentary along with the myriad of commentaries out there and what so many of us are experiencing post election. I have never considered myself to be the best writer or the most articulate speaker but I know in my heart what I am feeling and processing with so many countless others. So I go, daily, to the place I know will hold space for me. The place I know will allow me to ride these waves of emotion; to feel the fear and insecurity, as well as to uncover the joy and the trust which underlies the fear. I go to my mat. I go to my meditation cushion. I go there, each day, and I breathe, and move, and allow this practice- this practice that has been with me for more than half my life, to hold me. My beautiful and amazing Sanskrit teacher Manorama would always talk about how sound arises from silence and drops back into silence, and I have always felt the same about movement- how the prayer which is our physical practice then becomes a portal to deep inner stillness. It is here that we know- it’s ok, it’s ok, it’s ok. It goes on and on and on and on and yes, it’s ok. We will be ok. Truly. I know this, because my practice has taught me this. This is the magic of Yoga, the magic of meditation. I pray that more of us find this path, this path to healing, this path to Wholeness. Om Shantih!
Photo Credit: Sunny Khalsa