This post is in response to the recent atrocious act of Terrorism in New Zealand that bought a nation to a standstill, and is a tribute to the tragic loss of so many precious lives. This is for the broken hearted....
There IS a Voice of Reason – It Lives Hidden in Each One of Us
As many of us slowly emerge from a state of shock over the developments of the last few days, the question of “what now” is emerging through the fog of discouragement. How do we live with a situation that brings out fear and a sense of insecurity on one hand and anger and frustration on the other hand.
What to do with our mind’s chatter that runs in circles, seemingly chasing its tail as all these feelings percolate inside our heads and hearts? And beyond our personal sense of dread, how can we live in a world so deeply divided that it seems like taking a stand leaves us opposed to the other half of our fellow humans.
Wherever we turn, be it to the media, our immediate social circle or the chattering of our own minds – we seem to run into a scenario of me/us against the rest of the world. The true voices of unity are rare, and they may even evoke a vague sense of danger – a feeling that embracing the “other” side might make me an inadvertent part of the surrounding negativity.
In light of this, it is safe to say that we won’t find the voice of reason or a sense of peace and relief, by looking outside of us. We won’t find it inside our mind and intellect either, for these essential tools are designed to navigate the logistics of our life. They are not equipped to perceive or know anything outside their own purview. The mind’s ability is limited to seeing everything, including life’s events, in terms of opposites: right or wrong, good or bad, black or white. In order to find the voice of reason, we need to look even deeper inside of ourselves.
Hidden in the stillness of our heart, at the center of our being and beyond the chatter of our mind resides the immutable, infinite Space of the Self. That Self is the source of Oneness or true Unity. It exists before any division takes place and it is the Source of all manifestation. No being is ever separate from that Source, even when we have forgotten its existence; even when we have adopted the belief that we are disconnected independent individuals, who are wholly in charge of life and responsible for its outcomes.
Remembering that we are never separate from this infinite Source of ours, we will find that it is also the seat of our inner Voice of Reason. We have all heard this voice at different times in our life. It is the quiet whisper we perceive in our heart when we truly listen, in Meditation, with closed eyes. This is the voice of the Self. Hearing it, we know that we hear Truth, because it is doubtless, joyful and it always leaves us with a sense of clarity and direction.
When our thoughts and actions are informed by That voice, rather than by the fearful ranting of our mind, then we can move forward with confidence and faith. The voice of the Self is all-inclusive and benevolent for it knows no division or duality. Its essence is Oneness – as our Essence is Oneness.