Do we yet understand the power that corporate capitalism has on the United States? Do we yet see how it wrestles with our democracy? I will accept that our country made its dominant voice known by who we’ve elected as our next President and Vice President. It’s a matter of understanding collective priority. Do we understand that this is a signal of our collective conscience and therefore, this is who we would need to accept as being the incoming leaders of this moment? This is the sign of our times. Some in our country are worried about how to survive day to day, while others are concerned about conversations of equity, morality and true democracy. It’s a lot to bring to one table and expect one person to solve. We can’t only accept the President we want – we must also accept the one we didn’t want if we are to ask everyone to play by the same rules. Yes, this is painful and uncomfortable. And if we truly look in the mirror, we will see the spiral of humanity’s cries that bring us right here today – all at once, an answer to, and an attack against our national cries.
Do we yet understand the impact of White Supremacy on our nation and world? 2020’s pandemic year that included the murder of George Floyd, Brianna Taylor and 162 others just in the first 8 months of 2020 (cbsnews.com) was a significant wake-up call for me. With what I refer to as my year of introversion, I resourced myself by researching and gaining a better understanding of why we are stuck on racism, caste and many other divisive tactics. The spotlight of Asian hate that blasted our eyes in 2020 helped us understand another long-standing prejudice that quietly lives on in the U.S.. Xenophobia, which many of our politicians, one in particular who just found his way to be our next President, helps to fuel and enable a paranoid way of thinking which fans the flames of ignorance. Boosting fear for leverage of power is an age-old tool for mass participation as a dominant power claims to be for the people, but operates for himself and the privileged.
Do we yet understand how people feel when their voices have been silenced? Do we recognize the sidelining that has happened to many in our marginalized communities and now understand the frustrations of an inequitable and unjust world? With the election results of our United States President, most of the people in my circle are shocked, horrified and in disbelief. We aren’t resorting to the idea that the election was rigged though I’d propose that it was. Not in the way that was claimed in 2020, but in the way that people are manipulated into a belief that safety will come from supremacy. We are witnessing the success of the one who can create the greatest trigger for discomfort and the boldest lies to blame the other side for current failures. This is more of a psychological experiment than a true sign of our development as an advanced, civilized race.
And though I did vote for Harris, I only did so because I didn’t want Trump. For the first time in my voting history, I was unenthused by my realistic options for who to wish for as our next President. I’m a fan of Harris for all the good reasons, but against her alliance with Israel in the ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. I heard of many groups who weren’t planning to vote for a candidate who supported weapons to Israel while she also claimed to want a ceasefire. Her presidency would seem to mean the continuation of a slow-moving genocide while Trump claims he will help Israel “finish the job” as soon as he becomes President (pbs.org). Though it is noted that it’s not exactly clear what Trump means by that phrase, it does not extend clear support for Palestinians or a logical transition away from military operation. Trump has been one of the most pro-Israel Presidents though he also has a history of being a bit unpredictable with Middle East relations…hard to say what to exactly expect.
Shouldn’t we be even a bit ok with the 2nd even 3rd options for whom we’re voting for? I remember in high school that when we voted for prom king and queen, I wanted everyone to win! All of the options were wonderful and I respected each of them. Certainly, much less was at stake in that election, but in a developmental way, it offered a relative experience of voting. In our cozy city of San Francisco, I will say that I’ve been pretty open to any of the main mayoral candidates to take office. One or two, I would certainly feel happier about than the other, but none of them seemed absolutely deplorable. And the one who looks to be our next Mayor isn’t the perfect choice in everyone’s eyes, but I think we can be more at ease with who takes office than who has become our next President! And as it looks to be that Lurie will be taking office, his campaign is one of hope for positive change in our city. I pray it will help empower us to be more unified here at home to direct our efforts of support abroad.
Do we yet understand that keeping divisions is the name of the game in our world of capitalism? This is the mentality that is ingrained into our culture – competition is life. I’m sure many won’t be a fan of me saying this, but our competitive sports sustain this winner/loser battle that stokes this part of our brain. And as I’ve noted in a previous blog, my understanding is that the players are less attached to winning and losing than we are and simply more engaged with playing their best. There is what I’ll call an advanced understanding that it’s not about who wins or loses, but about playing a fair game and enjoying the physical and emotional activation of bringing the mind/body/spirit into alignment. Yes, I see the athletes journey similar to the Yogic path. 🙂 It just might be that we are bound by the dualistic world as human beings and so competitive sports offer a way to channel healthy competition. Living life as competition is the survivalist mode of life, which many are thrust into due to a structural system that, as I loop back to this argument, aims to keep people inside of. There is power in keeping divisions, lack of equity and structural racism in order to sustain our system of capitalism. It keeps us frozen in denial that many of our indigenous communities had the real mission of what an advanced culture can be like.
Might we come to understand the power of resistance and why change requires it. Could we come to have a different perspective on how and why a people would choose to rise up and push against a system that is oppressing them? Why force is sometimes a final answer when no other efforts have had an impact? It may still be a longshot to understand how someone would be willing to lose their life for a cause, but maybe that passion and welling up of spirit for liberation is relatable and helps us have more empathy for those who have only known struggle as a way of life. Maybe the intense emotion we are feeling can help us understand how many people who have never felt safe, seen or heard in this country feel. For those of us who have never felt or understood that, it might be hard to consider but maybe this is why this moment is here.
Do we yet understand the persistence of our unwavering center? Have we come to see that pattern in our human history where people who have been oppressed have found their way to joy? There may never be a fully equal shift away from harms that give way to ultimate peace, but we see that we are a resilient race that has been through an unbelievable history of dark times that have found their way to moments of grace. I’m grateful for the Integral Yoga Yantra and the symbol around it with all the major religions which surround the Atman – Supreme consciousness. The slogan for Integral Yoga, “Truth is One, Paths Are Many” feels as strong as ever for me today. We will always have many paths in life. There is not just one. And there are many paths that I don’t want or even understand. But it is said by the ancient saints and sages that the ultimate goal we all have is to be happy. The more that I come to understand that, the less attached I am to needing my one way to be the only way. I am more humbled when things go differently than I could expect and I come to realize, this too is a path. Right now, we are on a different path than expected, and with that comes the potential for the unexpected to happen again. I believe it keeps a good energy in the mix when we stay open to that versus feeling like all hope is lost. This may bring something out in our country, in each and every one of us that is needed for us to understand this journey of collective liberation.
“We all look for happiness. Every individual. Nobody wants to be unhappy.
But all of the great thinkers, sages and saints have said that there’s no happiness without finding peace in your heart. Then the question arose, where can I find peace?
The answer is, the moment you become totally selfless, totally dedicated. There’s no end for your peace. I’m just quoting the Bhagava Gita. ‘Where is happiness for the peaceless person?’ And then, how to get peace? The answer is, when your life is dedicated, and you’re free from selfishness and you break your little individuality, and feel that you are part of the whole and you are here to serve others and to bring happiness to others, then you have found happiness. So let us rise over all these man-made differences in the name of race, religion, caste, creed, community, country language, color and what not. See the one spirit in everybody, and not to miss every single opportunity to serve others and to bring happiness to others. ” – Sri Swami Satchidananda
This may create a meaningful time of reconnecting where we have been separated. Historically, when disaster and devastation happen, people come together regardless of past conflicts. There is a human need to join together for a stronger force of collective focus. Yet, in the scandal around the sexual allegations of Swami Satchidananda, a deep division was created due to the allegations that hadn’t surfaced until the news came forward in the 1990’s. Over time, things settled again although no resolution came. But then, in the effort to discuss this historical break in Integral Yoga in recent years, a new coming together and renewed perspective on how to move forward emerged. What this required was change in direction versus a holding onto of an old story that disregarded the truth. And it’s slow moving, but I see it happening. I trust that what this entire situation brought forward, is more teaching around this human experience! We cannot remain silent and allow darkness to overshadow the Light!
“Acute stress may help remind us of a fundamental truth: our common humanity. Understanding our shared vulnerability — life makes no promises — may be frightening, but it can inspire kindness, connection, and desire to stand together and support each other. Acute stress, as unpleasant as it may be, may also be an opportunity to experience the most beautiful aspects of life: social connection and love.” ScientificAmerican.com
Do we yet understand the significance of spiritual practice as a path of personal and collective liberation? Do we have something that we come to each day, that helps us ground and feel that we are supported no matter what happens? For me, this doesn’t show up as anything from the material world – not my altar or the Yantra or any affirmation or crystal. Not even a single person. Having these references or a person that offers unconditional love absolutely helps guide the path inward and allows me to build upon my relationship to inner-knowingness. This trusty inner landscape is what I refer to as the unwavering center, like the center of the Integral Yoga Yantra or the ‘core of the universal’ located in the center of a mandala. And it takes immense dedication and perseverance to get there. You may call it having faith, trusting your gut, aligning with Universal Intelligence or Mother Nature. I often refer to it as all of these and more:
G-d, Great Healing Powers, Universal Intelligence, Divine Source, to the Great Unknown, Divine Mystery, Supreme Silence and to the Golden Present.
It has been a constant reference, during the highs and lows, the joys and sorrows of life. During the heartbreaks and the heart-openings, a constant connection has allowed a reference point that reminds me of the place beyond all the suffering that is known, and it is because of the suffering. In the quiet space of regular practice, a subtle and powerful force is greater aligned. I’ve shared in a few classes that these moments of daily practice become like beads strung on a mala or rosary, and I can feel the power of them all being connected as a resource that grounds me in a vibrational field of love and strength, one day at a time.
We are fortunate to be alive today and have the opportunity to take action and make a difference. We can also shift to autopilot that is cleverly wired into the motor of capitalism and not stop to consider how we are actually participating in the divisions. We can analyze the motivation behind our selfish actions and welcome ways to understand the power, space and true joy in selfless acts. We can loosen our grip on feeling whether we are even doing right or wrong and stimulate a new response to stress with a full breath of life’s unknown journey.
Things will constantly shift and change, and we will too. This is an interesting time, even an opportunity where we can welcome the new world that we will design because we know it exists and it exists in the power of collaboration. May our creative forces rise!
Let’s stay connected,
Marc
