World Peace? Inner Peace!

Sunday was my birthday (and as we all know now, Bin Lauden's great exodus from this world). Every year for my birthday I write a letter. In this letter I'll often recount the years accomplishments and cherished memories, my hopes for the future, and perhaps offer some blessings or wishes for my life - (Sleeping Beauty style). As cliche as it may be, my first wish is almost always for a more peaceful world. I wish there was more kindness, respect and appreciation for the beauty of life that dwells in both similarity and in diversity. World peace is a tall order and I try to follow Mahatma Gandhi's great directive...."be the change you want to see in the world." So, if I want more peace in my world, it has to start with me. The best way I know how to do that is to live in and act from my "heart space" more often.

I'm grateful for two particular teachers who helped me understand the importance of being more aware of and present in my heart center. I was blessed to start my yoga training with Sianna Sherman who encouraged me to look for the good already present in the world before focusing on the aspects that could use a little transformation. Sally Kempton, who wrote "The Heart of Meditation" also had a big impact on my emotional growth and health. In her book Sally presents techniques and exercises to help you get past the worry and judgement of the logical mind and settle into the heart space which is filled with inner wisdom, peace, and understanding.

Living in my heart has actually been a little challenging these past few days. The challenge started at 11:30 pm on May 1st when my husband came in to say goodnight. I was asleep and he woke me up to say, " I have one more birthday present for you. Osama Bin Lauden is dead. They killed him." In that dreamy state I felt shock and surprise. I wondered did my wish work?.... "Will this be a step toward world peace?" ....... Then quickly I wondered "well what will the retaliation be?"..... More than anything I've been challenged and saddened because of all the harsh words people are continuing to throw around at each other in response to different reactions about what has happened. When we diminish others for having a different opinion than our own, aren't we going against the very sentiment that this country was built on. When we stop listening to opinions that differ from ours, we block the creative flow of life. We create fractures in the web of life. We break ourselves apart. When you live from your heart, you live from a place of curiosity and an understanding that none of us, not even one of us, has ALL the answers. We are here for each other. We are different so that we can support, or challenge, or entertain each other. We are here to give each other joy. By living in our hearts more often, we can find an inner strength and a broader perspective that can help to bridge the gaps that separate us. I imagine that a lot of the jubilation and criticism is reactionary and I hope we'll all settle into an easier flow of conversations in the days to come. By no means am I denying my own reactionary tendencies but going forward,  I will do my best to hold peace in my heart and mind so that I can readiate those qualities to those that I interact with every day. I will do my best to be the peace I hope to see in the world.

Om Shanti (may peace prevail)