Spiritual Return to School

Tags

backtoschool, change, school, spiritual practice

The entire notion of ‘return to school’ this fall has taken on a new meaning in the context of the pandemic. For my daughter’s school, the conversation between administration, teachers, support staff, parents and local, state and health agencies has spanned most of the summer. Finally, this past Friday, school did reopen to students. The entire first day was spent in orientation sessions about new rules and guidelines.

And yet, about 15% of the students have chosen not to return ‘in-person’. They have chosen the ‘online’ option. In many ways, the ‘return to school’ has become a bit of a fragmented experience for the student community. Just like the world that they live in, school has become a brand new world for students. Wearing of masks and six-foot distances, taking turns while visiting their lockers, no large assemblies, no theater in the auditorium, no inter-school sports. It’s quite a bit to take in for the parents, let alone the school community.

However, inspite of all the changes and adjustments needed to make ‘in-person’ school possible, the ‘first-day survey’ says that the students are happy to back. The social bonding that happens in school cannot be duplicated online and is thus an important part of the educational experience. One may argue that some level of social bonding does happen in online (social media) interactions, but we can all agree that the ‘real life’ meeting is orders of magnitude more impactful. So, what does all this have to do with spirituality?

Well, that’s a good question. I guess one connection that comes to mind is the question – how have our spiritual practices served us in times of great change? Most students seem to have taken all these big changes in their ‘return to school’ process in stride, and with a good attitude. How do we adults handle great changes in our (learning) environments? Assuming that there are no setbacks, and that ‘in person school’ continues through the academic year, these fairly large changes will be in effect for a fairly long time. If we were in a similar situation, how would our spiritual practices be affected or undergo change(s)?

Let me share one personal example of change affecting spiritual practice. Ever since we brought a new puppy home six weeks ago, my morning meditation routine has had a ‘return to school’ experience. I had no idea how difficult it would be to try and sit quietly in the same space with a ten-week-old puppy. You see, the puppy wants to do the exact opposite of sitting still at 7am in the morning after a good night’s sleep! So, I had to change, adjust, and even school the puppy a bit. I would let her play for half an hour, let her burn off her energy, and then sit for my morning practice. And guess what?

After a few days, she caught on to the fact that this was my quiet time. I often found her curled up at my feet at the end of my morning sitting. I won’t go so far as to say that my original daily practice has been fully restored, but I am on my way back. It is a ‘return to school’ in a different environment for me and my practice. The timing and space where I practice varies depending on how the morning develops, and I have developed a new sense of gratitude for what I can accomplish on the days when I am able to practice.

That’s my short story. How about you? Have there been occasions where you’ve had to make small or big changes to your practices? Have you experienced a ‘spiritual return to school’ at any time and learnt new things about yourself and your environment? What did you learn in the process?

Kumud

P.S. I invite you to ‘return to school’ with the #SpiritChat community on Sunday, August 23 at 9amET on twitter. We will ask some old questions in new ways, and share some new answers. Maybe we will even get a bit of an education on taking change in stride and staying in school. Namaste – @AjmaniK

On Evoking Transformation

Tags

change, reboot, satori, transformation, vaisakhi, vesak

When I left for the southern hemisphere in the middle of March, I left behind a nascent spring and flew into a nascent autumn. It did not take long – less than twenty four hours – to go from one state of change (spring) to yet another, equally transformative state of change (autumn). In addition to the change in physical environment, the change in food and drink and the change in language brought about a sense of external transformation that seeped slowly from the outside to the interior over the duration of the trip…

Every new journey has the possibility, the potential, the energy, to transform us. I posit that we have all experienced such transformation(s) in our lifetime. Transformation is more than mere incremental change. If incremental change is like floating on the surface of the ocean, transformation is a deep dive where we encounter truth. Incremental change is easier to roll back, to reverse. Transformation is like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. Once transformation affects us deeply, seeps beneath the surface, its effects are of a more permanent nature.

In Buddhism, this kind of deep transformation which brings enlightenment is celebrated as vesak –

…the most important Buddhist festival, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha, and celebrated at the full moon in the Indian month of Vaishaka (April–May).
Sinhalese vesak, via Pali from Sanskrit vaiśākha, denoting the month April–May.

An intermediate step that can be encountered on the way to complete transformation is referred to as satori. It is, as Osho refers to it, a gaining of a new perspective, a “flash of lightning upon the consciousness”. An experience that transports us instantaneously into a state where we get the sense beyond senses of not being “of this world”. A state where we need not be searching under every tree of the forest with our lamp any more – because the lightning has illuminated the entire forest for us in a flash…

This is not to say that we ought to abandon our established spiritual practices, our search, and wait for “lightning to strike”. In fact, Buddha is known to have said that contrary to popular belief, his enlightenment was anything but “sudden”. It took him much disciplined practice to get to the state where his enlightenment, his transformation, appeared to be instantaneous.

For me, the message of Buddha’s journey is that if I encounter satori on the path, so be it. I shall welcome it, be grateful for it. But it certainly does not mean that I am going to stop waking and walking, evoking and inviting transformation, on a daily basis…

Namaste,

Kumud

P.S. Join us for our weekly twitter chat – Sunday, April 15th at 9amET/6:30pmIST. We will explore the topic of “Evoking Transformation”, and I invite you to share some of your “out of this world” satori moments with us… Namaste.

P.P.S. I would be remiss if I were not to mention that today, April 14th, is the annual festival of vaisakhi – a harvest celebration marking the New Year in many Indian communities, including the Punjabi community that I am part of, and culturally identify with in food, language, song and dance… time to celebrate with some Bhangra!

On Spiritual Transformation

Tags

change, spiritual practice, spirtuality, transformation

Transformation is a BIG word. It seems to create a vision of a big mountain that we may need to climb. And we may wonder if we have the energy to do so. Particularly when we are already exhausted by the various demands of life. In addition, we have a natural inner resistance to change, particularly if it requires work for which we do not seem to have time, space and energy.

And yet, in some ways, inner transformation can be easier than change. For the work of transformation need not be work in the traditional sense of the world. It may require us to simply be in the in the field of love of someone who is doing the transforming, in the space of those who are being transformed before our own very eyes.

If it is raining outside, and we see the flowers and the grasses and the leaves on the trees getting wet, dancing in the rain, we have a choice. We can shut the window, pull the curtains, and remain dry and safe within the home. Or, we can open the window, let the wind blow some rain in, and wet us a little bit as we cup our hands around a warm beverage. Or, we can decide to experience loving power of the rain for ourselves.

We fling open the patio door, and go stand in the middle of the field and let it rain love upon us. And as the rain and the tears intermingle, and we feel pure joy surge through us, we now know the reason for the silence of those who were being transformed before our very own eyes. Now, we too are transformed by experiencing some of the surrender to love that we were only witnesses to until that point where we ourselves decided to surrender.

We did not get changed. We got transformed by the power love. It is like the story about the seeker who is seeking the trasure in the dark forest with a small oil lamp under a cloudy sky. They are earnestly working, seeking and doing what they know is best, looking under one tree at a time. And then, a flash of lightning illuminates the entire forest, transforming the landscape so that they can see and experience the entire forest at once. Such is the power of transformation.

And I hope you have experienced it, or get to experience it in the company of one like Amma, in whose rain of love I was fortunate to stand for nine straight hours on Friday. The transformation that I saw in the people at the Unity Center, whom she individually blessed with her energy in all those hours – one by one, listening, hugging, responding, wiping their tears, and bidding adieu with hershey’s kisses – was an experience that my heart will rarely forget.

On one occasion, her words to me were, simple, direct and transformative: “I love you, Kumudson”.

Kumud @AjmaniK

P.S. Join us Sunday, June 11th at 9amET/1pmUTC and share some of your experiences of change, of transformation, of love, and of surrender. I will bring tea, cookies and some questions with love. You bring some answers. Namaste 🙂

How Does Change Make Communities Thrive (by @ThinDifference)

Tags

action, change, community, growth

How Does Change Make Communities Thrive?

(Guest post by Jon Mertz @ThinDifference)

Change is always changing. A circular statement? Although it is, change is never static. The impact of change on individuals, families, colleagues, and citizens is unsettling and welcome. We begin to see the dichotomy of change. Some change we like, and other changes we do not.

Change can wear on us or enliven us. More than either of these options, we may end up talking more about change than changing. Talking is easy. Change takes action.

A famous Mahatma Gandhi quote is “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” The words are inspiring. “Be the change” has evolved into an almost static moment. Just be, and all will be fine!

“Be the change” is much more. I believe it means that we need to act on the change we wish to see. We need to be the example we want to see.

The standard of “be the change” rises. More than just one person –

• What if one person gathered 20 others to facilitate change?
• What if one person helped 20 people?
• What if each of the 20 individuals engaged in change or being helped by another then did the same?

The power of change multiplies when we join with others and then they do the same. Picture this. Twenty people standing in a circle holding hands. On top of each grasped hand, another hand connected with another 20 individuals connected in a circle. And then again and again. What you visualize is the concentric power of 20 people facilitating change.

Margaret Mead, a cultural anthropologist, said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Twenty people is a small group. Twenty people, energized by one, can energize a community.

We can be the change, or we can rise to another level. We can act on the change we want to see.

Being present is a starting point. From here, we need to act with the passion of change and the compassion of understanding the change required to make a positive impact. A positive impact is a community growing, serving, and making lives better.

Enabling a thriving community is not complicated; it is hard. We can never let the challenges hold us back. Instead, we need to rise up to the challenge for the sake of our communities and character.

Join us for a #SpiritChat conversation about change and community. As part of this conversation, consider starting a small project of change within your community on January 20^th. A grassroots initiative started called #One20. The goal: On Inauguration Day, let’s make it a day of doing good works. Let’s show our better side by doing good where we are. Let us act on the change we what to see and experience. Learn more at One20.today and on the One20Today Facebook page.

Jon Mertz is the author of Activate Leadership: Aspen Truths to Empower Millennial Leaders and founder of Thin Difference, a cross-generational community to connect leaders on purpose. You can join the conversation on Facebook by liking the Thin Difference page.

Ajmanik’s Note: I am so very excited to host my long-time friend Jon Mertz in our weekly #SpiritChat twitter chat on Sunday, January 15th at 9am ET/2pm UTC. Jon’s theme of a ‘call to  action’ to create change is a perfect example of “Karma Yoga” – the practice of Yoga through ‘Karma’ or action. Do join me (@AjmaniK) and Jon (@ThinDifference) this Sunday! 

 

On Spiritual Transformation

Tags

change, spirituality, transformation

One of the final questions that we had considered in our #SpiritChat conversation two weeks ago, in the chat titled “Risk and Reason” was ~ “Are we in the Age of Reason, the Age of Risk, or….?”. There were several answers, including “Age of Awareness”, “Age of Awakening” and “Age of Triumph” – all brilliant answers. As autumn has descended upon us in the Northern hemisphere, for those of us fortunate enough to observe the changes that it brings, I am inclined to propose that we are in the “Age of Transformation”.

Let us examine the what, the how, the why, the when and the where of transformation, as it relates to spirituality. What is transformation and what does it imply or entail? For me, it denotes more than mere change, for transformation has a quality of immediacy to it. It is like an on/off switch which acts on our inner core, and moves us seemingly instantaneously from one state to another. By contrast, change is more gradual – like a ‘dimmer’ switch on our heart plate which we can move up and down to vary the amount of light that shines within. Change and transformation are of course connected, but the light that shines as a result of inner transformation, creates an unmistakable sense of awakening, awareness, and perhaps even triumph!

How does this seemingly ‘step-change’ of inner transformation occur? Some say that it is the outcome of dedication and devotion over many years of spiritual practice(s), that results in a seemingly ‘instant’ transformation. Others, notably the proponents of ‘Zen’, say that transformation can occur in the instant that we make a decision to awaken. One analogy of zen-like transformation is that of making a decision to give-up a habit which may be negatively impacting our quality of life e.g. smoking, compulsive eating/drinking, shopping, or the like. This is often referred to as the ‘cold-turkey’ form of transformation – make a decision to transform, to leap, and stick to the decision you make. It may take a tremendous investment of accumulated will-power to effect such a transformation, but the returns are proportionately high too!

Why does transformation happen for, or to, some people, while it seemingly escapes others inspite of their best efforts? Everybody who is making an effort towards inner change and transformation has his or her own ‘why’. For some, the ‘why’ is tangible, and can be described as a path, leading towards a goal. For others, the ‘why’ is more intangible – it is that voice within which has grown louder over time, which pulls us towards higher ground, a higher state of being. The famous quote by Anais Nin goes – “…and the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” There it is again. Risk. Driving our ‘why’ towards transformation.

This brings us to the fourth dimension of transformation – when? The question of ‘when’ implies a sequence of time, of the right timing, for transformation to occur. When change does not seem to happen in our lives at the pace we would like it to happen, we often comfort ourselves with the reminder to ‘be unattached to the fruits of our actions’ – we sow the (action) seeds, the divine power grows them to bear fruit in its time. This is a simple way to look at the question of ‘when’ – we deftly side-step it by focusing on our work in the moment, and let the leaves fall where they may… but somehow, in some way, the caterpillar seems to know when to begin its transformation – for there is a narrow window of time which creates a sense of urgency, to begin the flow of blood into its wings, or the butterfly may not see the light of spring!

The final aspect of transformation is – where? For me, the last three months of walking the local forest reservation have brought about many transformative moments, and some locations are more distinctly etched in my heart and mind than others. I have uncovered that the infinite variation of nature’s beauty and bounty is here, there and everywhere – or wherever I happen to be. And that nature has the power to transform us in ways far beyond what we see, hear, and feel in her embrace. Can you recall the exact location where you were sitting or standing or simply being when you had your most recent moment(s) of transformation? What was the confluence of events that brought you to that transformative location? Were you alone or were you among friends and family?

For those of you who have read this far, I express my gratitude. I extend an invitation to you, to reflect on your personal (spiritual) transformation in the context of the five W’s that I discussed above. I invite you to write a blog post, share in the comments below, and join in our weekly conversation on twitter on Sunday, October 25th at 9amET/1pmUTC in the #SpiritChat channel.

Till we meet again, I hope that your transformations are kind to you,

Namaste,

Kumud @AjmaniK

On Dreams and Change

Tags

change, dreams, spiritchat, spirituality

This Sunday, a special friend of mine, @EmeliaSam will step up to host the weekly #spiritchat on twitter. The topic will be “On Dreams and Change”. The subject of “Dreams” is inspired by Martin Luther King Jr (January 20th is MLK Jr Day in the USA) and the meme of Change is ever-present in our conversations.

I hope you will join EmeliaSam on Sunday, January 19th at 9amET on twitter for a lively conversation.

Thank you,

Kumud

The #storify summary of the chat can be found at http://storify.com/ajmanik/dreams-and-change-a-spiritchat-conversation – Enjoy! The full transcript (#hashtracking report) is also available at https://www.hashtracking.com/reports/spiritchat/spiritchat/dreams – 121 contributors, 1572 tweets, 392K reach, 6.8M deliveries.

Q1. What is a dream or life-vision? Do all of us need one? #spiritchat

Q2. Where does a dream come from? Can it be acquired or cultivated? #spiritchat

Q3. Are there any drawbacks or challenges to having a dream or vision? #spiritchat

Q4. What does it take to accomplish a dream? Action? Knowledge? Or… #spiritchat

Q5. Does having a dream inspire change? Or does a desire to change create a dream? #spiritchat

Q6. What is the connection between knowledge, dreams and change? #spiritchat

Q7. Can you name a ‘dreamer’ who had a major impact on your life? How did they impact you? #spiritchat

The Spirit of Diversity

Tags

change, diversity, spirit, spiritchat, unity

Growing up in India, the theme of “Unity in Diversity”, was a common refrain in our social studies and civics text books. For a country with twenty-two states (at the time I was a student), many of them with their own languages (and many more dialects), customs and sub-cultures, interpretations of Hinduism and many other religions, it would seem that theme of “Unity in Diversity” would be indispensable to keep the country together. In fact, I remember writing many essays in middle school and doing many projects celebrating this theme.

When I moved to the United States, this country seemed, on the surface, very “homogeneous” as compared to the widespread cultural diversity that I grew up with. The more years I spent here, the more I realized that diversity has many aspects. It manifests differently in different countries and cultures, and, of course, there is tremendous diversity in the USA – one just has to look a little bit beneath the surface. External diversity can conceal internal homogeneity, and vice-versa.

Yes, it is indeed a herculean task to weave a thread of Unity in the face of external, visible diversity, as it exists in India. Perhaps an even bigger task is to inculcate some aspects of Unity in the heart of diverse people, diverse cultures and perhaps even diverse religions. This revelation was brought home (again) to me in a wonderful conversation that I had with my good twitter friend, @EdwardColozzi on Friday afternoon. Edward has been a wonderful friend of the #SpiritChat community, almost since the inception of the weekly chat. He is a Career-Life counselor, and a big believer in Unity and the concept of “One Spirit”. The topic of “The Spirit of Diversity” is inspired by our conversation about the discovery of “One Spirit” among our diversities.

Some of you may be aware that Science has been hard at work to identify this fundamental commonality – sometimes referred to as the search for the “God particle”. While Science remains hard at work, we can approach this from the Spiritual side. One proclamation of this Unity is made in the Advaita philosophy of the Vedanta ~ which states that there is the One, indivisible, and we all are manifestations of the One. An analogy would be that of the One milk, and the many products (cheese, yogurt, sour cream and so on) that are manifestations of milk… I am sure that you can come up with some analogies of your own too 🙂

Well, I believe I have said enough to frame our “Spirit of Diversity” discussion. A few questions that come to mind are – where does this Diversity among us come from? Why is Diversity necessary at all? And what would happen if all this outward Diversity were to disappear? Why is it important to understand the nature, the spirit of Diversity? And where does Love fit into the equation of Diversity and Unity?

I invite all of you who have read this far to join us on Sunday May 5th at our regular time of 9amET in our weekly #SpiritChat discussion on twitter. Let us celebrate our Diversity as we contemplate the ideal of Unity.

Namaste. Be well.

Kumud