“You’re coming to the demonstration, right?’ my close friend asks me.
“Yes,” I say, a note of reluctance in my voice.
In the coming days, I question the notion of attending the political rally that my friend is organizing. I would like to support her creation, and she is leading the event with a very high and loving intention. However, the idea of spending a Saturday morning surrounded by political activism makes me wary.
I’m not wary of the people, but of the vibration. And I’m not afraid that the vibration will hurt me, but that it might overtake me. We are so highly influenced by those we associate with. That song on the radio can repeat in one’s head for days or even weeks! Our minds are like little radios eager to play whatever message we tune into with the dial of our attention.
Still, as I speak to more and more friends and acquaintances who are planning to attend, who are making signs and amping up enthusiasm, I think, “I should go. Everyone will be there!”
The day arrives sunny and bright. I climb out of bed, make tea and sit down for my spiritual practice. Before reading my teacher’s works, I ask sincerely if I should attend the rally.
Just a few minutes into a reading about self-concept, the Beloved takes me on a flight high above the material plane. My essence soars above any concern for left or right, good or bad, to a place where all is One. All is here to evolve soul through its many incarnations. The wars, the famines, the brutality that so shake my heart are but lessons in these lower worlds. My own personal losses and hardships truly are the most crucial experiences for my journey. Why wouldn’t it be the same for all denizens of this planet?
As well, great beauty coaxes us along: that baby finch chirping in a nest, that soft, moist air after rain falls, and that great, warm sun shining on us all equally, loving us unconditionally as we journey through experience, learning, hoping, losing. The karmic wheel that moves us toward our own Godliness has no party, no side. It swirls us around until we know that we don’t know what’s best for ourselves or others.
So who am I to say whether this policy or that policy is serving the highest good?
After this stunning flight, the Beloved lands me on a beach where the tide is running out, and there I see it, my helplessness to claw that water back. It will flow out—and it will flow back in—in its perfect time. Life’s pendulum will swing in its most beneficial way, to train us to reach for the highest.
And yet, I am not helpless.
If I desire a governance that is kind, compassionate, loving and responsible, I create that inside. I live not in the USA, but in consciousness, and thus it is my responsibility to create the highest environment possible—within. That is my own private activism.
I get up from my practice, pull out my suitcase and begin packing for a trip I am taking. I pack with intention, and when I’m finished, I make sure that our dog and cat are well cared for. I rest, knowing that the coming travel week will be full and at times challenging. So, I don’t go to the rally, but instead hold tightly to the Beloved, making sure I am considerate to myself and those around me, that my house is in order for the trip ahead—basically, I govern my world responsibly.
I know that this is my very best demonstration of the peace and tranquility I most cherish. When I see my friend after the rally, she tells me of its amazing success, and I’m happy for her. I explain why I didn’t go, knowing her work is important for her, but that my journey is my own.
P.S. For those of you who read my last post, our dog, Lester, is going to be fine. The tumor was slow-growing, and the vet was able to excise it. Thank you for your loving concern.
Thank you chelamiga Lesley for articulating the activism within and without so well, a gift of understanding our Masters guidance in these aspects of the pinda world…
Love that chelamiga, Diane! You raise such an interesting point: Our teacher has set a matrix for us regarding politics, but we each must make it our own. That is the beauty of the Path. Great reminder. Thank you!
An experience that parallels my own, on a daily basis, as I keep informed of the outer in order to be prepared to protect my immigrant family members, but seek to stay focused inwardly, building the peaceable, loving energy to interact as my true Self.
Wow, Niki, that sounds like quite an order, protecting your immigrant family members. What wonderful practice to do so with the Beloved. You go, beautiful soul!
I relate. Inner governance is the best!
No one to hold accountable but myself and I’ve learned to be quite forgiving and compassionate of me as I strive to see thru my Masters eyes and lovingly let the world and everyone in it be as they choose and learn at ther own pace, same as my Master lovingly allows me.
Wow, that is such a beautiful matrix, Sheila. “Let the world and everyone in it be as they choose and learn at their own pace, same as my Master lovingly allows me.” Thank you, thank you!
Thank you for the update on Lester! Great news!
I’m thrilled for you Sharing your inner governance. Really inspiring! Much love.R
Thank you, Rebecca. It is great news about Lester. And I’m happy you’re relating to the inner governance. You are certainly embracing that in your journey!
So beautiful and relatable as always Lesley, thank you so much for sharing. Also, I am extremely happy to hear about Lester. What a blessing!
Thank you, Kate. I know you have a deep connection to animals, so I appreciate your concern for Lester. Glad you enjoyed the post! Still hoping to come to one of your gigs someday!
Hi Leslie, It’s lovely to catch snippets of your journey and the many opportunities life gives us to breathe into remembering, being, and becoming. I always wish you the very best my dear. Be well, be joy, be love, Ron Stotts
Thank you, Ron. I feel the same about your journey. I love seeing how it’s progressing and much you inspire others as you breathe yet more deeply into your own creation. Happy to travel with you!
So timely – as always! Thank you for your courage and commitment to being such a loving channel. This post was inspiring and confirming for me when I really needed it.
Thank you, Marian. I’m glad it confirmed your inner views. It’s wonderful how we can walk with each other on this journey Home.
Thank you for sharing your journey through the dilemma that calls to our attention with so much urgency. The balanced viewpoint graced on the inner is a calm and refreshing pool of His healing love.
Beautifully said, Diane. “The balanced viewpoint graced on the inner is a calm and refreshing pool of His healing love.” That just says it all! So inspiring. Thank you!
Lesley:
Your words resonated with me so very much. I push fear and desire out of my mind and fill the space with love in my heart. It is so refreshing to put out as much love in the Universe and see others, like you, doing the same as I feel the more Love I show the more others will see what a wonderful path it is. Like you I avoid demonstrations. Thankful you got good news for your Pup’s condition. Peace, Light and Love to you—-John
John, your point is so beautiful–to send as much love as possible into the Universe and let that be our greatest demonstration again hate and tyranny. It’s hard to see the larger benefit of this, but when one sees a person light up from kindness, the effect is obvious. We have to imagine that the Universe smiles back as well. Thank you!
Beautiful reflection, Lesley, and true to form, you are unafraid to tackle the difficult and the delicate. That we don’t know what is good for ourselves, let alone for others, is such a deep truth. When half the country believes one way, and half the other, it seems to reveal the balance that Kal maintains. And believing something in great earnest doesn’t change its right/wrong standing any more than Catholic vs. Protestant beliefs change the truths of Christ’s real purpose on earth. The world is perfect and protesting our view of it is a sneeze in a high wind. Still, it is soap-opera entertainment — gripping story lines, fascinating characters, but totally scripted.
Digo yo.
And bless Lester — Happy he’s still happy and doing well.
Thank you, Shabdaman! So much wisdom and humor in what you wrote. I really do see what you mean about protesting being a “sneeze in a high wind” and the soap opera entertainment as well. What can one do but smile inwardly at all the love available without venturing anywhere but in.
Thanx, L, for your reflections above — With similar conviction and countering detachment, I chose that day to take the Master’s presence with me, to the Rally; it was my body there that allowed sound’s Love to outflow to those brave Minds who chose to follow their passions that day. ALL experience eventually leads one Home. It is one way we grow outwardly, and, for a moment, I felt selfish satisfaction in Being Present for each of them. Each wanted shared love from their kindred partisans, to counterbalance one’s inner fear of The Great Unpredictable. I served water bottles to the returning parade-makers and takers equally and (mostly) without discrimination; use higher Discrimination to release lower discrimination, both Outer and inner. Be present when your mind allows it, and let Him bless the Mind that sees your eyes light up in recognition of their passionate experiance recognized.
What you say is stunning. I use that same strategy on the pickleball court and on trips to the grocery store. We are so fortunate to live above the fray, so that we may do just as you did at that rally, holding steady in the love and sending it out to those passionate souls. Awesome work there! Thank you for this viewpoint!
This speaks to me so much. It takes all kinds to encourage change in this world. Our actions are inspired by our personal experiences and hope for more. Enlightenment. Consciousness. And our responsibility is to tend to our garden sowed by our Creator, Beloved, Source, God, Master Gardener. The timing of your words are perfect, like they always are.
Thank you. 💞💞
Thank you, Laura. So true. It takes all kinds…I just love that. I’m grateful to those who speak up, and I’m grateful for a teacher who keeps directing us inward. Both are crucial.