Warriors of Light
"Therefore the Master remains serene
in the midst of sorrow and confusion.
Evil cannot enter his heart.
Because he has given up helping,
he is peoples greatest help.
True words seem paradoxical."
Lao Tzu
It seems that every day brings something new to worry about; if it's not coronavirus, its the climate crisis, and a million other things in-between. From the madness in Washington to the upheaval taking place in a thousand other locations around the globe, things seem to be speeding up, and beyond our control. This gives rise to fear and anxiety levels that only increase these feelings of helplessness and despair. This is also true on a personal level, as people are increasingly worried about their families, their finances and what's going to happen 'next'. We look to our 'so-called' leaders (politicians) for answers, hoping that they will save us from ourselves, only to be disappointed again and again that, just like us, they are fallible human beings that really don't have any more insight than we do about what's going on. In fact, in most cases, they are completely lacking in any kind of spiritual foundation for the way they live their lives, and thus make decisions based on greed, and the need for more power.
We might ask ourselves; with these kind of seemingly insurmountable obstacles facing us, what is a loving and compassionate man or woman of the Tao suppose to do?
Luckily, the answer has been given by every sage and spiritual teacher since the beginning of time, and can be summed up in the words of Mahatma Gandhi decades ago; "Be the change you wish to see." Or as the great Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh has said, "Let your Life be your message." The way that I will put it here is simply this, live as a Warrior of Light. In all of your dealings and relationships, and as you make your way through your daily round, give what you most wish to see in others and in the world. Don't wait for others to do it for you; to be kind to you before you are kind, or to be loving to you before you will be loving. Understand that, right NOW, you have the power too radiate and spread the Light of Higher Awareness through everything you think, feel and do. You no longer have to operate under the illusion that someone, or something 'out there' is going to rescue you from the predicament and challenges that you, and the world face right now. Yes, be an activist if that what calls you, but make sure your activism doesn't come at the cost of condemning and judging others who don't share your vision of the world.
Remember that change happens slowly, but it always happens, and if the changes you want to see in the world include a joyful and abundant existence for all beings on the planet, then live that vision right NOW in your own life. Being a Warrior of Light means to see everything as an opportunity to hold, and radiate that Light of Love, kindness and compassion into the world in every moment, not just when you vote or support a particular cause. As the sufi saint Rumi said, "Before you try to save others, save yourself," meaning, start by realizing that what you are is the Light and Love in your own heart, and then radiate that into the world. Sit daily in meditation and breathe Love into your own heart, and then do your best to radiate that Love on your out-breath to everyone, and everything that crosses your path. This simple practice will do more for the transformation of the planet than a thousand political rallies will ever do. There is no time to waste, because the time is NOW. All of us on the spiritual path are being called to live as 'Warriors of Light'. The question is, are you willing? Ot are you waiting for someone else to do it for you?
