On Monday we left off on the idea of looking inward and finding our individual interpretations of purpose or divinity—be patient if your vision remains muddled. Release the illusion of time and make a step of progress. We must remember that we are co-creators of the world we experience. Our outer experiences are reflections of the energy we emit into the universe.
Realize that our circumstances are our responsibility. How we react to the world around us reflects our presence and awareness. The other day I heard the name Sisyphus in a podcast (which was on in the background). The only takeaway I heard was that his punishment was meant as a metaphor for everyday life and tasks we do not want to complete. For anyone who doesn’t know Sisyphus lived a life of deceit and trickery, for which Zeus punished him by forcing him to roll a boulder up a mountain—just before he gets to the top, the boulder rolls back down and he must repeat over and again for all of eternity.
Later that same day I rode my bike around Oak Island. The wind hit me dead in the face once I turned around at the Baptist’s Assembly on Caswell Beach, and I felt like I was pushing the boulder. I began to laugh and empathize with Sisyphus as I continued down the thin strip of beach road. I was biking into the wind by my own free-will, so seeing my role in creating my circumstances was easy. Accepting this role is the first step in transcending suffering in our conditioned minds. The pedaling doesn’t become easier but our mind is silent.
No matter how we suffer, we must accept our circumstances and the role we play in creating them. This national pandemic is not your fault; how you react is your responsibility though. The first time Sisyphus trekked up the slope under the boulder, the entire trip felt impossible—each step felt like it should be his last. I imagine he suffered great fear, what would Zeus do if he failed to get the boulder to the summit? What if the boulder crushed him? It may have once or twice.
If the boulder rolled over him, he would feel the pain of the broken bones and be unable to die. The slow process of healing, just to try once more at reaching the boulder to the top. As long as Sisyphus believes he is the victim of the situation, it will seem impossible and torturous. When he wakes up, he will realize that his circumstances are not meant to kill him, but teach him something. In this awakening, his perspective broadens so he enters each moment with the attitude of what can I learn?
Sisyphus becomes skilled at pushing the boulder up the mountain and quick at dodging it when it slips out of his grip. Still he cannot reach the summit—which he must. Each effort does not feel like a burden, because he knows it will not kill him. He sees each effort as an opportunity to learn something new, a chance to redeem himself. In his awareness, he transcends his suffering.
Similar to Sisyphus, our circumstances do not threaten our being. Maybe our physical breath, but not our eternal soul. Our individual path of divinity is not meant to destroy us, but teach us—even when we have sinned and face the repercussions of those actions. Accept and forgive yourself, in order to evolve past all expectations. There is no choice but to lace up and get to pushing—one of these days we will reach the summit. Our circumstances are not punishment, but growth opportunities.
My daily meditation focuses on creation and gratitude. My first mantra, I’ve mentioned before: I create—I am. Inhale, I create—exhale, I am. This opens emptiness in my awareness: the opportunity to create. A constant reminder of the role I play in co-creating my life. My second mantra: Irie—gratitude. “Irie” is a word I picked up in the Caribbean from the Rasta Mon, which means something along the lines of, “all is good.”
“Irie” in my vocabulary has taken on the duty of “God”. A constant reminder that God is unnamable and unfathomable, I speak to my God as Irie. Inhale, Irie—exhale, gratitude. These mantras bring great stillness to my heart. I create, Irie—I am, gratitude. I create as a mirror image of my creator. Also, I create Irie; I create my perspective of God, my interpretations, beliefs, and relationship with God are a result of my consciousness.
I am gratitude—this says it all. In this mindset, we begin to realize the true abundance of creation. I set daily intentions each morning as a way of manifesting growth. When we open ourselves to the magic of the universe, the messages are everywhere. The other day I FaceTimed a good friend of mine—while telling her how I’ve been, I said, “I pray and meditate daily just to remain sane.” I paused as I realized the tone of my voice.
We both laughed; I said it as if it were burdensome. My mind pining to remain relevant as I kill the ego once again. These activities have a direct correspondence to peace of mind and the ability to escape suffering. Be able to observe your circumstances without judgement and accept your placement along the divine path. This is the first step up the hill.
Guidance, Blessings
Capt. BZ