We are different than we think.

How to avoid pigeonholing ourselves in times of madness and chaotic movement

Science
Newton laid down the law about how we perceive ourselves in relationship to the environment in which we live: gravity. Yes to gravity, and thank you Issac Newton. And… as we now know, there is so much more.

The universe as a whole is certainly not fully understood. One thing we can observe is that the inner and the outer worlds are reflections of one another. The inner world is much vaster than we ever knew. And we know that things happen in there at the micro, micro, micro levels that are surprising and cause us to at least question concepts we have held dear.

For example: What is solid and what is not? For that matter, is anything solid? It seems everything is moving. Everything we take to be ’solid’ is actually the exact same stuff as absolutely everything else, just moving differently. It does appear to be somewhat about density and space. Let’s look at this a little bit.

Who are we in this?
Well, we have bodies and we are on the earth. Our bodies have density and are therefore held to the earth by gravity. Thank goodness. All is fine so far, but what else are we? We now know that our seemingly solid bodies are in reality masses of moving energy. Layers of vibrating aliveness and that our bodies - our physical bodies - are not nearly as solid as we think. In fact, at the level of inner space we are composed of 99.9999% space. Empty space.

It seems that is what is true in the universe as well. The vast expanses of space that are true in the structural universe as we so far recognize it to be, is also the truth of our inner world. We are more empty than full. Meditation techniques of all kinds offer our conscious awareness glimpses of this underlying reality.

But what does knowing that do for us in our daily lives? Everything!
Knowing this with every particle of ones being can radically change the way we perceive ourselves, our individual and universal selves.

At this point, western science is at a bit of a standstill. What are these particles — atoms and electrons — doing in there? We see them. We see that at their level they are spinning in intergalactic amounts of space. If a single atom was the size of a football and one placed it right in the center of a football field, the size of the football field would be equivalent to the amount of inner space surrounding each and every atom.

Does that change your perception of this body in which you live?

Western science has nothing to say about the “space” except that it is space. There is no pointing to what may be under that. I don’t even know if they ask the question. By ”under that” I mean might there be even more subtle layers of existence lurking in there that we have yet to imagine. I doubt it will be a microscope that will figure this out.

Here’s where yoga and eastern philosophies come in. Yes, space is unseeable. How do we know whether this space has any qualities at all. Science seemingly believes that it does not. But is there more to it?

This is where the yogis answer that there is more, even that space is a critical component of consciousness; that space links consciousness and form allowing some of the more subtle aspects of life to flow through.

Space links our human experience with the vast field of potentiality and the root of intelligence. In our yogic inquiries we are led to explore space. One of the things we find is that space contains and nurtures the seeds of love. From there, love flows into the rest of our selves and our lives, depending (of course) on who we are as individuals.

Now, okay, nothing is ”scientifically proven” here. However, does the fact that our western scientists and our powerful microscopes cannot see this thing called love arising from a nearly limitless and undifferentiated sea of intelligence with their eyes even vaguely imply that it is not there?

Does our western science have what Depak Chopra has rightly called a serious case of ”the superstition of materialism”?

Has our science even begun to explore that what is most fundamental to life might be unseeable? Even with the most massive colliders and microscopes we may never see the field of radiant intelligence and love. However, we may be able to experience it.

Is anything fundamental to all of life, right here, hiding in plain sight, underneath even the most minuscule of manifest forms? Might it be something like empty awareness, unmanifest intelligence and potentiality? Nothing yet made, but the possibility for anything and everything to be made?

What if the first manifestation of this undifferentiated field is love? If so, perhaps we might be able to experience that directly?

These are the questions asked by yoga and other eastern systems of inquiry. This is what we are doing when we practice yoga. We are inquiring more and more deeply, to the best of our cultivated fortitude and commitment to see for ourselves what underlies it all. Where is love in this?

What is left when everything else falls away? It turns out love is there. Love is revealed when we stop - even for a moment - obsessing about something else.

Times are hard. Yes. And we still have time - and even more urgency that before - to look for the love.

In yoga we do not ask you to believe this. We do not ascribe to the idea that belief itself is enough. Believing will not do the trick. We need to — we want to ”know” — what is true, not to simply believe it.

It is not necessarily a ”good” universe of which we are a part. It is, rather, a ”powerful” universe. The universe holds everything that exists and everything that can exist. There are powerful forces of beauty and powerful forces of darkness and destruction. Certain tantric approaches invite us to know this for ourselves; to witness a unified field of life that includes everything, the good, the beautiful, and the horrible. Not easy stuff, right?

What are we to do in that? Tantra is the yoga of living. In the schools of tantra that speak to our times we are adamantly encouraged to stay involved in life! This is a call to action and engagement! Now is the time to really get down to doing our own best work in the world, no matter how small or large.

Sometimes lately, in fact a lot of the time, I am struck by the feeling - some could say the accurate perception — that the world is (as my grandmother used to say) is ”going to hell in a hand-basket”. As a hopeful journeyer on this planet, in this body, in this life of 73 years now, I am distressed to see the shape of things and the direction we appear to be going.

Asking, questioning, continuing to probe and inquire into all layers of existence is yoga.

What Now?
Now is the time to practice with serious determination and commitment. Now is the time to dig the well deep. The more wholisitc our vision, the stronger and more clear our actions in the world can be. Want to be effective? Want to be part of positive movement and change? Of course we do. We need to choose our actions wisely. Each of us has our own work. Do your own best work by becoming your own best - clear and radiant - self.

What are your gifts and talents? What do you have to offer to your community and the world in these times? Our individual gifts may be large and reach many people, or they may feel small to us, and yet have profound effects.

We all need to be on board now. No more wasting time and wallowing in our sorrows and disappointments. We have a responsibility now to act with the utmost integrity and purposefulness.

That is what the world needs! That is what we can do.

Moving forward with love and
continuing to look for it.

Very grateful for you.
❤️
Patty