In the face of current headlines it can be difficult to keep ourselves spiritually grounded in truth, beauty, and love when so much of the world seems to be tearing itself apart. The news of the senseless violence against innocent people, organizations, art, and history committed by ISIS is very painful to hear about. If we are genuine seekers on the spiritual path our journey causes our hearts to become more open to empathy, compassion, and love, and we feel the suffering of those struggling in the world more deeply. I personally have to stay very vigilant and aware when I feel myself truly starting to hurt and feel angry in face of violent current events.
Paramhansa Yogananda has explained the presence and purpose of evil to us by stating, “Creation is light and shadow both, else no picture is possible. The good and evil of maya must ever alternate in supremacy. If joy were ceaseless here in this world, would man ever desire another? Without suffering, he scarcely cares to recall that he has forsaken his eternal home. Pain is a prod to remembrance. The way of escape is through wisdom.” We find wisdom in surrendering all of the suffering in the world to God’s will.
Although there is no easy fix and we cannot all become missionaries serving the suffering people of third world countries, there are ways that we can help and stay grounded in the light in the face of current events and pain in the world’s heart.
- Empathy: Fully connect and experience the love and empathy you feel for others in the world that you do not know. I sometimes take a moment to place my hand over my heart chakra and send energetic love and warmth to those in pain. This is can be a way of turning a moment of darkness into light.
- Meditation & Prayer: Going into the silence and meditating keeps us grounded in truth, beauty, and love. In meditation we can pray for those in need. Before ending meditation, I sometimes pray for the world and those in need of healing and love. Prayer through the third eye is powerful, placing your attention on the point between the eyebrows say a prayer for the people who have been harmed, include an intention for love to present itself in their lives in any and all ways.
- Surrender to God’s Will: On the battlefield of Kururkshetra, Krishna told Arjuna that everything that is happening and everything that has ever happened is to serve mankind’s highest energetic evolution. Jesus said that, “Not a sparrow falls to the ground without the Father’s knowing.” Mathew 10:29Even if we cannot see the good in the latest current event, we must believe that it is there. It is there moving and evolving situations so that years down the line we may observe changes in laws, attitudes, and people that serve the greater good. Faith that there is a force moving through and transforming global suffering into a tool for change allows us to witness suffering without despair.Surrendering to God’s will and faith in God’s plan does not mean that we become apathetic towards helping our fellow man. It means having faith in God’s plan but also recognizing that we are the vehicle for divinity to express itself in time and space. If we have the opportunity to bring truth, beauty, and goodness into the life of someone who is suffering, we have the responsibility to do so. Help can be physical, monetary, or prayerful.
- See Light: When our hearts truly break and despair takes a momentary hold, look for the helpers. Divinity expresses itself through all the good people who come, physically and spiritually, to support to those in need. Mr. Rogers provides me inspiration during dark moments with his quote “when I was a boy and I would see scary things on the news, my mother would say to me. Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Recognizing the helpers affirms our faith in the goodness and care of God, lighting the way in the midst of darkness.
