There are two ways to view the story from today’s reading. We can view the story as an example of how to be with others, and we can view the story as an example of how to be with ourselves.
Today’s story is about fearlessness and kindness. Fearlessness and kindness go together. You can’t be afraid and be kind too. You might be afraid and act nice, but that’s not the same thing. If you have a personal agenda—a desired outcome—you aren’t being kind; you are being manipulative. (Note: Whenever you have a personal agenda, there is an underlying fear.)
In today’s story, Jesus demonstrates kindness. He is not afraid. He interacts with the man in the story with no fear at all. He is present and genuinely responsive.
It’s fair to say there isn’t enough kindness in the world today. If we see kindness and fear as opposites, we can also say there is too much fear in the world today. That negative energy is recycled in our world through the loop of experience—What I think, I see; What I see, I experience; What I experience, I think—and unspeakable atrocities occur as a result. Genuine kindness can help release some of that negative energy, and some atrocities can be prevented.
When you read the story, notice that a woman shares a fearful story with Jesus and the apostles. The apostles pick up on the fearful energy and believe it. As a result, they are incapable of being kind. Jesus dismisses the fearful energy as meaningless, so he is able to meet the situation without fear and with kindness.
I mentioned that there are two ways to view today’s reading, as an example of how to be with others and as an example of how to be with ourselves. If we see the man in the story as the ego and the legion of demons as thoughts, then Jesus demonstrates how we can be kind with ourselves.
The same rule applies: we can’t be afraid and be kind too.
There’s no reason to fear the mind. The mind can make a lot of noise, but if we don’t give it meaning, it is a noisemaker and nothing more. You don’t have to fight against the mind. In fact, fighting it isn’t helpful. Instead, be kind to the mind.
For example, if the mind is worried about a future situation, you might say, “I know you think there’s a lot to worry about, but we don’t actually know how things are going to turn out. Relax. Let’s watch and see what happens. We’ll know what to do when the time comes.”
With kindness, you can help the mind relax and let go of distracting thoughts. That places the mind in the present. A mind that is in the present is aware, surrendered to intuition and effectively responsive in the moment.
Thoughts of Awakening # 35
Have faith in your truth.
You are love.
Any other thought
is a dream about yourself.
Do not invest in dreams anymore.
Let your eyes be opened
to your truth.
~From our Holy Spirit
All there is, is What Is. Just as it is.
On behalf of the Satsang Subcommittee, we are excited to introduce the newest program in the Awakening Together Sanctuary. Have you listened to a Satsang Interview and wished for an opportunity to hear what others took away? Or an opportunity to share what you were most excited about? Or just felt confused about the teaching? You are not alone. What we have seen over and over again in Awakening Together is that the opportunity to teach yourself what you most wish to learn in any given moment can be a powerful experience. Therefore, we’d like to invite all who feel called to join us for our newest sanctuary program, the Roundtable Sangha.
