A Steadfast Approach ~ Meditation

“Fearful as reality is, it is less fearful than evasions of reality. Look steadfastly into the slit, pin pointed malignant eyes of reality as an old-hand trainer dominates his wild beasts.”  ~ Caitlin Thomas

There are times when we may not feel aligned in our thoughts and actions. These are moments of opportunity to pause and ask ourselves – with courageous intent – can I be steadfast and endure the truth of my being?

Being steadfast is being committed and disciplined enough to return again and again to the essence of one’s being with conviction. Therefore, with thoughtful consideration, seek to be steadfast and rooted in the heart of your inner truth.  Recognize that the truth of your being (your essence) offers you direction toward your dreams.  As you align your actions to the clarity of your inner knowing, it will support your ability to create and bring them into form.

When we acknowledge that our energy output creates our reality, and when we are accountable for how we choose to expend our energies, we develop greater balance and harmony based on inner truth.  Being steadfast proposes and ensures that with steady conviction and a trusting resolve, we return again to that one-pointed focus.

Taking the time to establish a foundation and a structure necessary to support the truth of our being will ensure our ability to create what we vision and the dreams that move us into action.  Knowing where our roots lay, and what seeds we have planted at the base of our tree, will encourage a steadfast approach to where we stand and what we are bringing into bloom around us.  Although the results of our efforts may not always appear exactly as we imagined, the more steadfast we become, and the more willing we are to steer in a one-pointed direction toward our dreams, the greater our ability to experience them.

Always remember, your dreams become your reality, so with wisdom align your dream with your inner truth.  As stated by Shakespeare:  ”Unto thine own self be true.”

Beauty in Truth ~ Letter

My Dear Friend,

As the days of summer pass, I continue to think a great deal about the nature of truth. As of late, I have been particularly fascinated by my fluctuating views of truth and how conditioning and my innate proclivities seem to shape what I believe is real and true in any given moment or circumstance. In contemplation, I return many times over to a truth that penetrates my mind from a place deep within my being. I often refer to this as my inner truth. There are times when I find myself discerning between the truth of my conditioned mind and voice of my inner truth in an attempt to understand and make meaning of the world around me.

A dear friend once asked me, “when is truth not good enough?”.  I thought it was a fascinating question. It seems to imply a universal truth – but also accounts for the fact that there are times when we don’t always perceive truth in the same way – not only amongst each other – but also within ourselves). Therein, lies the heart of my dilemma.

What I do know is this: there are moments when I feel a tremendous sense of clarity. And, I often interpret these moments, as moments of truth. As I reflect and contemplate the source of these insights, I recognize there is a place within me, (what I call the essence, or center of my being), that just knows what is true and seems to be constantly encouraging me to make choices accordingly.

Despite the sense of deep and resonating calm these moments bring, I’ve still been known to cross my arms and turn my head away from their wisdom; afraid to take action on my knowing, fearful of unanticipated outcomes. I wonder if you too have this battle within yourself?

Still I question: Am I, in fact, afraid of truth?

I’ve been at the coast for nearly one month’s time now – and I’ve been diligent in tending the property’s gardens. They remind me a great deal of this discussion on truth. While they are beautiful and lush, they are never without a constant crop of weeds that threaten the vitality of that which is intended to grow. New seeds flourish, but only when they are nourished. Its beauty – perhaps like truth – must be continually cultivated.

I wonder if it’s possible that a day will come when everyone will see the process of tending to our inner gardens as the most important thing we do, if indeed, tending to the inner lushness reveals the beauty of its awakening.

In devoted expression,

Swami Karikananda

Being Gracious ~ Meditation

“Every natural action is graceful.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Being gracious is revealed through one’s ability to blend and nurture the qualities of wisdom and compassion into action.   When we are able to see clearly through situations that arise, allowing the vision of wisdom to flourish as we accept circumstances with ease and compassion, the blossoms of grace are born.

There is a natural order and flow to life.   In yoga we call this rita.  As we attune to the rita of life and the flow of the universe, we enter a state of grace.   This attunement requires that we accept what is and manage situations accordingly.  Without struggling or fighting against that which confronts us we become transparent.  The gift of transparency is total acceptance.  To be seen, and to see, with clarity and total honesty is a natural state of being.   This innate and natural participation in life is the experience of being gracious.    A bird does not complain when its nest is destroyed by a wind fallen tree, but rather it naturally begins to assess a new location as it gathers the materials necessary to restructure and rebuild…