New Year's Eve 2020

New Years Eve, the darkest night of the year?

If you are wondering what or how you might move through this evening and into the New Year with clarity and resolve...

For me, I am beginning with forgiveness. There are things I cannot undo. I cannot undo harm I have caused to myself or others. I cannot undo harm that was perpetrated against me.I can only look toward the future. The only way forward is through forgiveness.

Try this.

Imagine someone with whom you harbor an unkind thought. Someone who is not easy for you to interact with. Then, as if pulling back a curtain, slowly and carefully and lovingly, imagine pulling back the ugly veil that is blocking your view of their essential self.

Imagine that you can see past the difficulties...imagine that you can see their highest, divine self.

Imagine shining light from above radiating down upon you both. Imagine light pouring out from you toward the other.

Imagine their light, their divine light reaching out to you.

Make a drawing or painting of this weaving. Notice the colors that arise in the place where the light of all three are weaving together.

Imagine what might be possible if, at least in your meditative life, you could meet and hold others this way.

And if you need a little extra work, try one of the tenets of the Buddhist eightfold path.

“Right Endeavor:

Strive for wisdom in formulating one’s ideals, one’s commitments to life endeavors such as family, parenting, marriage, friends, careers, education, nutrition, spiritual practice, the times in which we live etc. Looking beyond the momentary, everyday situations, set one’s vision on the aims and ideals of the highest potential of being human. Be mindful to do nothing that is beyond one’s abilities and leave nothing undone that is within one’s abilities.”

I wish you a strengthening New Years Eve.

*Thanks to the wisdom of Laura Summer for the indications for the weaving visual