And the Yogi of the Month Award goes to President Barrack Obama
--The Arizona Eulogy and Patanjali Yoga Sutra I:33
If Jon Stewart was a yogi (and maybe he is!) he'd say that Obama
"Nailed it" on Wednesday night in that packed Tucson, Arizona university
gym.
Yoga is often described as right action, right place, right time and right attitude. President Barack Obama gets my "Yogi of the Month" award for the eulogy he gave in Tucson, Arizona last night. Whether he knew it or not, it was a well-timed, sincere teaching and example of Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, Book I: 33.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali forms the basis of Classical Yoga. It is one of the six major philosophies "darshanas" (views/visions) of India. The word darshanas
reflects that these timeless truths are not just beliefs to be adopted,
they are eternal principles which, like gravity, are seen, revealed or
experienced by spiritual masters. Sutra (Sanskrit for "thread") 33 offers four keys to keep one calm and serene at all times:
"The mind becomes serene by the cultivation of feelings of love for the happy, compassion for the suffering, delight for the virtuous, and indifference for the non-virtuous." --translation from Sanskrit by Baba Hari Dass, Master Yogi, Mount Madonna Center, Watsonville, CA
"Love for the happy"
President Obama detailed every bit of positive news to turn our focus towards loving kindness and appreciation for small blessings in the Arizona shooting tragedy; breaking the news to the world that Representative Gifford opened her eyes just before the event. He pointed out how many truly good people were on the scene at "Congress on your corner" to gather with peaceably assemble in accordance with the United States Constitution. From the speech text: "Our hearts are broken, and yet, our hearts also have reason for fullness. Our hearts are full of hope and thanks for the 13 Americans who survived the shooting, including the congresswoman ..."
President Obama detailed every bit of positive news to turn our focus towards loving kindness and appreciation for small blessings in the Arizona shooting tragedy; breaking the news to the world that Representative Gifford opened her eyes just before the event. He pointed out how many truly good people were on the scene at "Congress on your corner" to gather with peaceably assemble in accordance with the United States Constitution. From the speech text: "Our hearts are broken, and yet, our hearts also have reason for fullness. Our hearts are full of hope and thanks for the 13 Americans who survived the shooting, including the congresswoman ..."
Happiness is contagious. When we are happy for those experiencing good
fortune, we lift our attitude and cultivate even more happiness.
"Compassion for the suffering" Obama voiced the nation's and his personal sorrow and compassion for all who are suffering loss. First Lady Michelle Obama held the hand of Gifford's husband on behalf of the entire nation. Obama noted that Democrats, Republicans and a judicial appointment of President Bush were slain. From the text of the speech: "We
may ask ourselves if we've shown enough kindness and generosity and
compassion to the people in our lives." Compassion opens the heart to
greater love and transforming wisdom.
"Delight for the virtuous"
Obama honored the heroes; ordinary citizens who stopped the shoot. A petite white-haired woman, instead of running, literally wrestled ammunition out of the shooter's hands! He spoke of the husbands who threw their bodies over their beloved spouse's to save their lives. He recognized all who tended to the wounded. He celebrated the virtues of the victims who died-and, oh my, what a virtuous bunch. From the speech text: "I want our democracy to be as good as Christina imagined it. I want America to be as good as she imagined it".
Obama honored the heroes; ordinary citizens who stopped the shoot. A petite white-haired woman, instead of running, literally wrestled ammunition out of the shooter's hands! He spoke of the husbands who threw their bodies over their beloved spouse's to save their lives. He recognized all who tended to the wounded. He celebrated the virtues of the victims who died-and, oh my, what a virtuous bunch. From the speech text: "I want our democracy to be as good as Christina imagined it. I want America to be as good as she imagined it".
President Obama then appealed to each of us to be virtuous: "Heroism is here, in the hearts of so many of our fellow citizens, all around us, just waiting to be summoned." He invited self-examination: "Perhaps we question whether we're doing right by our children, or our community, whether our priorities are in order."
Sutra I:33 invites us to cultivate friendships and celebrate relationships with those who are doing good works. Consider working one hour every day for charity without desire of reward. Yogis call it "seva", selfless service. For
those who are "unemployed", nothing gives a sense of empowerment and
leads to prosperity like donating time and talent to charitable
projects. If one is in good health, there is never a need to be
"un-employed". And prospective employers like to see that someone is industrious. On a personal note, I have found new employment and new students while engaged in community service.
"Indifference for the non-virtuous"
Obama recognized that there are many factors contributing to the violent shooting which do need public discourse. From the speech: "But
at a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized...at a
time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the
world at the feet of those who happen to think differently than we
do...it's important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that
we're talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that
wounds."
A local peace group sent me an invitation to a lovely peace vigil after the Arizona shooting. The email heading was "Fight the violence". On Facebook, a friend encouraged people to "send Sarah Palin a message!". Really? Today, our language, TV and movies are filled with violence. In 6th grade we learn to make outlines using "bullet points". Today, when something is really good, we might say, "It's the bomb!"
A local peace group sent me an invitation to a lovely peace vigil after the Arizona shooting. The email heading was "Fight the violence". On Facebook, a friend encouraged people to "send Sarah Palin a message!". Really? Today, our language, TV and movies are filled with violence. In 6th grade we learn to make outlines using "bullet points". Today, when something is really good, we might say, "It's the bomb!"
From Obama's speech: "As we discuss these issues, let each of us do so with a good dose of
humility. Rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame, let's use
this occasion to expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other
more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy and remind
ourselves of all the ways that our hopes and dreams are bound together."
It
is easy to focus on the drama of tragedy and evildoers, but, as Master
Yogi Baba Hari Dass councils, any time we watch violence, listen to hate
speech or play violent video games, our mind and tendencies becomes
more violent. Science confirms that brain does not know if an image is true or false, it just makes impressions.
Whatever we place our attention on expands. Arguing or fighting against something creates more friction, fire and discord. When we think we are at the mercy of evil, we lose power and become victims. Conversely,
actively seeking and aligning ourselves with happy and virtuous people
creates more happiness, virtue, calm and serenity.
Dr. Michael Beckwith, founder of the Association for Global New Thought
says, "Trying to figure out the mind of a crazy person will make you
crazy."
Did you notice, Rep. Gifford's name is Gabrielle and is also the name of one of the victims? Angel Gabriel is heralded in Jewish, Christian and Muslim scriptures as the messenger of God. Consider meditating on what messages this tragedy is giving you, now. What
would your life be like if you were more loving for the happy,
compassionate towards the suffering, delighted for the virtuous and
indifferent to the non-virtuous?
Om tat sat
Namaste:
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