Sharing this discourse on “What Is Spirituality” by Guru Sri Subramanium, now left his body but still very present it seems! Very beautiful. His way is so Joyful. I feel very much aligned with his way of seeing, just struggle to say his name so happy to be writing it!
He created a monastary in Skanda Vale, Wales that I plan to visit when I’ve sold the boat. Yes. I’ve made the decision to sell Lily Pearl, more about that in another blog.
What I love about Sri Subramanium is that even though he held the title of Guru, he would not allow anyone to idolise him or put him on a pedestal. His monastary is multi faith, his devotion to Divine Mother. On his passing, the monastery continued to function without a blip because it was focused on devotion to the Divine and not to Sri Subramanium.
Having seen what happens to well meaning Spiritual organisations where it becomes all about the “Guru” or in my tradition the “Maharishi” and having seen the power struggles that ensue when the one who allows others to place him above themselves falls from Grace or leaves his body, reading about the life and Wisdom of Sri Subramanium and his quiet legacy gives me Hope for Spirituality.
I’m sharing his words in case you’re feeling disheartened with Spirituality (or in my case yourself), thinking it needs to be serious and hard work all the time or should be different to how you are designed. Sri Subramanium reminds us to focus on the beauty of life that is always here (ie Mother Nature!) when chaos appears all around. He encourages us not to pretend to be something we are not and in the acceptance of who we are now, only then can we be open enough to change and grow Spiritually.
I found myself a little disheartened the other night, aware of self defeating thoughts about my apparent lack of progress in clearing the boat due to my ongoing executive functioning challenges. I’ve learnt that when I’m aware of this thinking and a growing frustration with my inability to do practical tasks that others seem to find easy, there’s usually an invitation to move some energy, to be more loving and more accepting of myself as I am right now.
I decided on seeing this old pattern resurface, to do something that brought me Joy and help me release the sticky thoughts. I joined in the online Movement Medicine Beltaine Ceremony and wow did that shift things!
The following morning whilst continuing my quest of clearing out to prepare for painting the boat interior, I listened to my Shamanic teacher Peter talking about how Beauty (as an experience), which he describes as exhilaration and serenity, is the antidote to violence of which there is much of in this world, on the media constantly. He says violence is man “trying” to be God (ie having power and control over others) instead of “experiencing” themselves as God.
Peter also reminded us, that when we are in the midst of big changes, chaos will always be present as it is needed for the dis-creation of the old life and the creation of the new. I find myself in such a place, that place of inevitable change, not really knowing what the future brings, but knowing one cannot remain where one is without stagnation and detriment to oneself.
Self violence is something we must all be vigilant in seeing and welcoming with Love. As we become more proficient in seeing through our Meditation practice, we will experience all of our self criticism, self limiting beliefs and judgements. When we meet these shadows with Love and Compassion and see them for what they are, they begin to dissolve more quickly, and we can choose to shift our energy before that point in which the shadow appears to spiral us down in an abyss, like I managed to choose to dance as a way to help me feel and release my frustration and experience Joy instead of sitting in my feelings of shame!
Immediately after listening to Peter I felt the inner nudge to Sri Subramanium’s podcast, which reinforces what Peter was saying.
If you are not on spotify there is a transcript on Sri Subramanium’s website and links to other mediums on which to listen.. If you can listen to his voice you will feel his Joy and his mischeif!
Interestingly my Heart Word to support me through this month is Jubilation!
JUBILATION /joo͞″bə-lā′shən/
Noun
-The act of rejoicing.
-The condition or feeling of being jubilant.
-A celebration or other expression of joy.
The invitation is for me to navigate this seemingly chaotic month, the challenges of transitioning to a new chapter in my book of life, with Joy and Patience and to not make it serious, to accept that this period of discomfort is necessary, that it will inevitably lead to more Freedom, more Adventures, more Connection and more Joy!
I always come back to this poem The Beloved, that came whilst I was on my Monk training in Spain. Even in the midst of chaos (which she may create to kick our butts out of apathy!) we are held by Divine Mother.
In Meditation Cafe we’ll be looking at our beliefs on Spirituality, whether they’re Heart and Wisdom based or dogmatic. Our Heart Words will be focused around how we can shift our focus to Love of the Universal Kind, for ourselves and for Humanity, how we can bring more awareness of beauty into our lives as the antidote to violence that appears inside of us and outside.
Here’s the registration link for tonights Meditation Cafe Bank Holiday Monday 6th May at 7.30pm if you’d like to join in:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtceCqqzMrHNczgRIkYfgRDkeXdlvWLL6C
No previous experience necessary. An open mind and willingness Heart is helpful.
Meditation Cafe is part of The Silent Revolution and is free by default. If you’d like to “Buy Me A Coffee” in the Cafe or express your Gratitude with a donation, you can do so here:
http://paypal.me/thebendywitch
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The Bendy Witch 