Who do you trust?
I think that was the name of a TV show in the fifties-or maybe it was to Tell The Truth – but this week its been on my mind. Information has been coming at a rapid rate – much of it contradicts information that came before – States have been re-opening with unclear guidelines or contradictory policies – and others seem to have no policies at all. I have heard a lot of delusion, confusion and error floating through conversations – which all seemed to point to one thing. In what do we place our faith and trust? When fears, doubts and anxiety appear, how do we sort through it to make effective choices?
From my experience, long before the Covid crisis, I knew you could make numbers tell any story you wanted them to – I worked for IBM in Sales and Marketing and we all had quotas, and goals and it was all based on elements of a customer’s need. Of course there were bonuses, prizes and recognition involved in the whole wonderful game of sales…but I learned early on that numbers aren’t the truth – they may or may not point to the truth, depending on variables that can be challenging to discern.
Growing up in the mid-west with somewhat conservative values, I was taught to put my faith in God – and if I had a dime for every time my Mother said it must be God’s will, (usually over natural disasters)- I could easily retire today and move to Hawaii – well probably not today – but you get my drift.
Over the years of teaching and counseling folks, trust has been the forefront in every person’s story – and I have been asked many times to direct people to the answer.
So here comes my experience of this tricky issue and my recommendation on how to approach in these next weeks.
We all have a beautiful true nature – before personality and life experience unfolds, our true nature shines through in every moment and yes in every person. That true nature is goodness, and love and innocence and joy. As we develop, we accumulate experiences, and wounds – in India they call them samskaras which are impressions that form as we use our power of thought to navigate life. When we are aware of true nature, we let go of the those thoughts and all the identification we have with them, and we naturally return to our own innate wisdom and simple common sense. Some might term this intuitiveness -others clear reason – but the key is that doesn’t come FROM the experience it comes TO the experience and it is part of our DNA. If we don’t, the samskaras become like scar tissue and we make decision based on the past rather than this wonderful moment. The sad part is that as children grow, many don’t learn about their true nature and how it works in life – (so later in life they come see me). When they do know – when we all know – that our design is for joy – it’s for health – it’s for love- because it comes from the INSIDE out – not the other way around. It has never been clearer that our peace cannot be found in the external world that is currently struggling for equanimity.
And yes, it is simple to access – you can use all the techniques that have been explored throughout the ages and by the sages – from meditation to yoga – to mindfulness – to yes, prayer to the Big Guy which a 10 year old I know, refers to as “The Dude”. There are many roads and they all end up in the same place. They end up accessing our true nature – the kingdom within- and that points to answers, decisions, and all the way Home. It’s time for each of us to realize – that no external circumstance – whether it be Covid, unemployment, stock market loss, Or being stir crazy – is ever greater than the POWER WITHIN- when we are aligned with our true design.
As Rabindranath Tagore said – “fire can’t burn it, water can’t drown it, knives can’t cleave it – it is infinite, eternal and part of everyone.” Take some time this week, cut off the noise of the troubled world, put your trust in the Power that is the Way, and locate your own answer and your beautiful peace.
Be well my friends,
