Sometimes when we look at the headlines, it can seem very depressing. Especially when we surround ourselves with like minded individuals who want to be healthy, happy and peaceful, it can be a challenge to absorb the shock of when people hurt themselves and others. It can feel like there are no hopeful measures to contribute to a contented world, where people respect one another, whether they agree with one another or not. In reading about St. Lucian soccer player shot dead on NY street after scoring goal, celebrating team’s victory or Arkansas police say 6 arrested after brawl, gunfire at baptism party, it can be daunting to find ways where we feel we can influence the world for the better. But, try, we must. To paraphrase Gandhi, what ever we do may seem insignificant, but it is most important that we do it. Following are a few ways that we may contribute peace in momentary ways when we are confronted with difficult reflections.

BREATHING/MEDITATION: Sometimes the most deceptlively easy technique to finding peace in a situation is to take a deep breath in and let go of the stress held inside on the exhale. When we can find a peaceful place inside, we are more able to exude peace into our environment.  It also makes us more focused on the positive work that can be done rather than the negative outcome that has already occured. At times, it may be that we exhale in order to release the stress and negativity we hold in order to inhale our reslove to live contentedly and aid those who are suffering. Other times, in stronger moments, we may try inhaling the pain we see around us and exhaling the opposite to those who need it, sending love, joy, health out to our fellow sisters and brothers. This method of taking in and sending out is referred to tonglen, a sometimes challenging meditation. One can start by breathing in a harsh color, such as a bright red, and exhaling a light color, such as sky blue – noticing all the while the result of this work. One may then begin to work with emotions: inhaling anger and exhaling calm. One may apply this meditation in an instant, when someone nearby or faraway is suffering. The wings of the breath are sure to cause movement on the other side of the world just as easily as they do near to us. It should be done only when you have the energy and balance to take in heavy states and give away the lighter states to someone else. Mindfully practiced, it may help in healing not only our inner environment, but also that of the far reaching fields in which energy travels.

INNER CHANTING: Having a “go-to” chant can be helpful when seemingly attacked by a negative environment or knowing. Chants such as “Om Namah Shivaya (I bow to the Inner Light),” “Om Shanti Om (Om Dynamic Peace Om),” and “Aham Prema (I am Divine Love)” may aid in calming our initial upset and adding to the potential peace of the situation, rather than adding to the negativity of it by reaction, depression or anger. These heavy states can be the impetus for good work in the world, but cannot sustain us in that work for long. A calmer energy needs to eventually take over so that we may have longevity in our work. In fact, running too long on a violent launch can cause disease, negativity and pain for the individual and those around that energy. So, silent, inner chanting can aid in creating a counteractive peace  in the moment, give us hope that there is always that peace available in our moments and that peace actually adds to environmental contentment. With our heads set to harmony, we leave room for the real work in the situation to emerge.

CEREMONY: When time allows and your heart may be heavy from what you have understood in this day about what is happening in the world, it can be a beautiful cleansing prospect to hold your own ceremony for the benefit of beings everywhere. Sitting quietly, lighting a candle and holding a space for all those who cannot for themselves is a deep gift you give youself and those you bring to mind in the meditation. Chanting “Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu (May beings in all spaces be happy and free),” 108 times, each time bringing to your mind’s eye the picture of someone who you would like to see liberated from any and all pain. You may start with family and loved ones, and have seeming “enemies” come to mind or just flashes of human or animal faces that you have never seen before, chanting for each one with earnestness and true desire to alleviate their suffering. You may be surprised at the results of this very “do-able” practice. You may also explore a regular metta meditation, offering slogans for the health, well-being and happiness of your teachers, your loved ones, your aquaintances, your enemies and the world in its entirety. For more information on both tonglen and metta meditations, please look for Pema Chodron’ books on the subjects.

We don’t always have the time, energy or resources to physically effect our external environment in a positive way. Sometimes the best work is subtle, inner vibration that, I believe, can be just as influential as the hard rolling outer work. The secret is to be aware when each of these types of work is appropriate and perform the work with sincerity of intention. In ending, the daily inspiration from Sri Swami Satchitananda read this morning:

“Question: ‘Would you please speak about what you foresee in the futurefor the next ten to twenty years?’

Sri Gurudev: ‘I don’t worry about the future. If you take care of the present, the future will be taken care of. What you sow now, you will reap. Don’t just imagine, ‘After ten years I’ll be having all kinds of fruits and flowers in my garden, and when they grow, I will go and pick them and give them to everybody.’ Don’t just sit there and visualize it and enjoy thinking that way and wasting your time. Instead, take your time to go and dig a hole and put in at least one seed. Sow the right seed now. In the golden present. In this way, you are all sowing good seeds, yogic seeds. With people like you all over the world, there will be a wonderful future. This world will be a heaven very soon, no doubt. That’s what I see. Many people say, ‘Oh, the world is going to collapse!’ No. I have confidence that it is going to be a heaven. It’s going to be filled with better people, people who love eachother, care for eachother. It’s already happening, and you are the seeds for that.”*

Try to remember, the size of the seed doesn’t matter…it only matters that you plant it. Hari Om Tat Sat.

*The Golden Present: Daily Inspirational Readings by Sri Swami Satchitananda

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