Help me, please to harness my energy.

Yesterday took its toll on you?

Yes. Three things. 1) The MHFA session where several people were in a vulnerable space, and one in particular needed support from me offline – and all their stories were so heart-breaking. As an empath, I really felt it; and as the instructor, I went over and above to hold space safely… 2) The beginning of the parting of the ways with a colleague (C), with a pretty unpleasant conversation – in which I expressed my YNY, and it was a shock for her… 3) Intense dreams last night about the year-plus of lockdown ending, and everyone suddenly wanting ‘in-person’ meetings and demanding travel…

On my walk yesterday, I listened to a Lee Holden lecture on the Tao Te Ching and he quoted Chapter 16 (Mitchell translation):

Tao Te Ching – Chapter 16

Empty your mind of all thoughts. Let your heart be at peace. Watch the turmoil of beings, but contemplate their return.

Each separate being in the universe returns to the common source. Returning is the source of serenity.

If you don’t realize the source, you stumble in confusion and sorrow. When you realize where you come from, you naturally become tolerant, disinterested, amused, kind hearted as a grandmother, dignified as a king. Immersed in the wonder of the Tao, you can deal with whatever life brings you, and when death comes, you are ready.

 

I love this notion that when we realise the ‘common source’ from which we come – and to which we will return – we become ‘tolerant, disinterested, amused, kind hearted as a grandmother, dignified as a king.’

I lacked some of that equanimity yesterday. I was at times instead critical, over-invested, disgusted, pinched as a mean kid, vaunting as a fop.

Help me shift, please.

It sounds like you have found your protocol for reversing the ‘unhelpful coping strategies’ of yesterday. In place of being ‘critical, over-invested, disgusted, pinched as a mean kid, vaunting as a fop‘ you can introduce the spirit of ‘tolerant, disinterested, amused, kind hearted as a grandmother, dignified as a king.’ 

Yes. I particularly resonate with kindhearted and dignified. Such a good balance. Kindhearted without dignified can be too giving, too empathic, too un-boundaried perhaps. Dignified without kindhearted can be cold, distant or reserved. The grandparent and the monarch archetypes are good counterbalances for each other. The grandparent lavishes love upon the grandchild; the monarch upholds the entire people. 

And so you harness the energy of these great figures that exist within you. And you keep one eye on that ‘common source’. There is no greater grandeur than living in the simplicity of remembrance of the oneness of all beings. Let no soul elevate itself above the next. We are but one human race. 

I pray happiness and peace upon this planet.

Amen. That is a prayer of kindheartedness and dignity. Let no being judge, condemn or scorn another. Uphold the dignity of all by introducing kindheartedness to every thought and conclusion. Recall that the common source of all, to which all return, is… magnificent, and sees you now, and ever. 

Thank you. May I learn this well. May I practise this Way today.

I am kindhearted and dignified