Peace 2005
She who is centered in the Tao
can go where she wishes, without danger.
She perceives the universal harmony,
even amid great pain,
because she has found peace in her heart.
Music or the smell of good cooking
may make people stop and enjoy.
But words that point to the Tao
seem monotonous and without flavor.
When you look for it, there is nothing to see.
When you listen for it, there is nothing to hear.
When you use it, it is inexhaustible.
- The Daily Tao
I’ve felt as if I’ve been in orbit for a few years now. Re-entry has been particularly rough. So many mistakes and lessons learned, and re-learned, and lots of bruises on my ego. Ego is a jewel and a mill stone, all at once. Like everything is – both light and dark. The meat of life is in the gray, complicated texture of living in balance.
Warrior poet, I have a new understanding of the warrior path, the creative path. Its brave only in how much I allow love to flow out, for everything, for everyone. How vulnerable I stay, so I can keep from the barriers that create us vs. them, labels and values that dismiss the innate glorious value of the human soul.
I have learned to love my perceived enemies, my personal villains and perpetrators. I realize more than anyone, those individuals need my understanding and compassion of their very intimate wounds and failings. I am open again, the child of natural love, goddess and earth and life love, able to accept and forgive and love.
I deeply understand now that peace is not just a friendly concept, a utopian dream. Peace for you means peace for me, means peace for everyone. Peace from fighting, separating, clinging, needing, hoarding, hating, envying, denying, accusing, escaping, longing, aching, all that tensed up, constricted fear balled in your chest and stomach. Peace means being able to breathe, relax, dream and make the world new and lovely every day. Imagine, truly imagine, what John Lennon sang of – no governments, no wars, no money, no religion…? Just a world of peaceful, responsible, compassionate, giving beings who enjoy taking part in the world and interacting with each other, who have the mental and emotional space to grow at their own speed, in a nurturing, open handed, open minded environment. Creativity and curiosity are celebrated, people know and experience joy daily, and life is a celebration of the possible, even in the most difficult of times. Everyone cares for everyone else. No one is left out or behind.
Imagine that kind of peace. For you, for me, for everyone. Not just a utopian concept, but a real psychological shift in human consciousness. Isn’t that what this increase in medicating the ego is all about? Looking for that empty, silent space where we understand all the postures of ego and the material world are nothing and lead no where. Its when I learned to be comfortable in the silent space, not run from it in terror, but understand its abundance, that I understood it was love and peace and very possible to share, if we all just sat still and relaxed for a minute.
The world needs love and more love poured on it. Not more withholding or conditional situations show basic lack of trust. We need more trust, more love, more compassion, more understanding. And keep trusting, even when there is a failure, a mistake, an attack. This is our challenge – to remain open and willing to love in the face of anger and hatred. Strength is not in might but in a mighty heart.
I hope your holidays are abundant and full of chances to open your heart just a little wider this year!
Much love,
Melissa
