A Global Heart

In September I read a seminal book that I found transforming: Waking the Global Heart by Anodea Judith. I could hardly put it down! It spoke to me at a deep spiritual level and validated many ideas that I've been contemplating. We've chosen it for discussion at our next book club meeting on February 12 and I will be presenting a short overview of the book. If this resonates with you, please join us!
Ms. Judith presents the idea that we are in the midst of a global shift in consciousness, moving from the love of power to the power of love. She states that we are shifting from a structure that was hierarchical to a more horizontal pattern of connecting, as evidenced by the Internet and the ways it has brought people together from all over the planet and empowered them. She also presents the idea that we are moving into the archetype of what she calls the Dynamic Feminine that includes values of nurturing, increased interrelatedness, plurality, and deep ecology, in addition to the personal practices of gratitude, generosity, compassion, acceptance, forgiveness, and celebration.
Former President Bill Clinton echoed many of these ideas when he spoke at the Van Wezel Center in October, saying that we are all in the same boat going to the same destination, whether we like it or not! We had better learn to work together to solve our mutual challenges. In response to these challenges, he has formed the Clinton Global Initiatives, serving communities around the world by providing a variety of services: access to clean drinking water for over 12 million people, new jobs or income-generating opportunities for 9 million, treatment for tropical diseases available to over 34 million, three million micro-entrepreneurs empowered through microfinance, and more than 33 million acres of forest protected or restored. This is truly a commitment to serve others with compassion, acknowledging our interrelatedness. I am reminded of Mother Theresa's insightful statement more than a decade ago, "The problem with the world today is that we draw the circle of our family too small."
Although most of us are not going to have a global impact like Clinton or Mother Theresa, there are things that we can do in our daily lives to live from the perspective of the Global Heart. It starts with remembering our connection, that we are truly one big family and that we can solve problems within the circle of our connection. For instance at GOH when there is an issue or problem, we meet and discuss it, and listen to each other with respect. When we have differing opinions we consider the ideas with receptivity and a willingness to change, and then come up with the best solution. It's challenging to keep your heart open to someone else when you disagree with him or her, and it takes skill and practice to stay in your heart in the process. We don't make each other wrong, talk behind each other's backs, or get mad and separate from each other in the process. It takes both spiritual maturity (remembering we are all part of a bigger energy of Spirit) and emotional maturity to do this.
Students often comment when they walk into our lobby how wonderful the atmosphere is, how peaceful and harmonious it feels, and I think some of what they are picking up on is the energy of our intention to work together in this way to create sacred space for yoga. We consciously work to raise our individual and collective vibration, doing our best to put our yoga values into daily life.
It's easier to do this when you have had an experience of your spiritual nature that connects you to your heart in a new and deeper way. This is the beauty of yoga and meditation practices ~ they give you this experience! Once you have made this connection to your own essence and true nature it's a logical consequence to feel the connection to others' true nature. And as a result Anusara is lighting up hearts all around the world.
May you be blessed with the spirit of connection in this Holiday Season and the joy of drawing your circle of family ever larger throughout the New Year!