“It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind. – C.S. Lewis

The meditation mantra of the month is the word purusa. Purusa denotes the position from which we can see; it is the power in us that enables us to perceive with accuracy. (T.K.V. Desikachar, The Heart of Yoga; Developing a Personal Practice)

Last night marks the day that we will remember next year as the Las Vegas mass shooting, killing more than 50 people. Next year there will hopefully be LOTS of stories of generosity, love, community, resilience, hope, and courage that are told about in Puerto Rico, Houston, and Florida. I sincerely pray that soon we will hear stories of transformation and repentance (turning around of the mind) from people who were shocked to see the hateful and disgusting images that came from the events in Charlottesville (and beyond).

I am a lot overwhelmed by my own anger, disgust, and disappointment. I don’t even know where to direct it all. My mind & heart distracted by so many thoughts and emotions. I don’t have any thoughts to put together but the above quote from C.S. Lewis and this notion of purusa… that there is this power within me – within all of us – to see & perceive with accuracy. It’s in there. Maybe the challenge is; can we quiet down enough, shove back all the wild animals of our emotions, and listen to that other point of view… And then once we see  and perceive? What do we-you-I do next?

I used to have a mentor that would ask me (far too often) ; What are you pretending not to see?

That’s all I’ve got for the right now. Purusa denotes the position from which we can see…

What am I pretending not to see?

whole buckets of love, peace, and gentle sunshine on your head, (and your neighbor’s head too)

Rachel