“All things have their time, all questions and situations have their answers and all things have their right to be…”
—Dadi Janki
The power to accept someone as they are, or a situation as it is, is a power that can make you truly great. Intellectually understanding that we are all different is one thing, but to remain lovingly indifferent to those differences, no matter what they are, is another thing altogether.
The ability to accept and accommodate differences in such a way that it is as though they no longer exist is the key to harmony and unity. Just like the analogy of rivers flowing into the ocean, where no distinguishable difference in the waters remains – that is the power to accommodate.
Sometimes in life we feel overwhelmed because too much is happening. We are unable to digest what is going on and how others are behaving, and feel as though we cannot manage. So, the first thing to do is to accept what is happening and name it as it is. That brings relief, rather than denial, and therefore the tension lessens. Then we can begin to look at the self in an accepting way.
By starting with the self, by nurturing our authentic and real identity, we can see beyond the surface and bring deep generosity and sharing at a deeper level to the situation. It is very important to take time to meditate and feel and accept that our original state of being is deep peace; then we are able to face any of the storms that come our way and let them pass. It is the deep understanding that I am peace, and not the storm; I am eternal and whatever is happening is transient, and will pass, that brings this power. In my peace, I can sit in the ‘eye’ of the storm.
As we continue to accept ourselves and nurture our real and authentic self, we can stabilise ourselves with what is eternal, the soul. This starts to finish fear and I develop the power to adjust to anyone and anything. In the same way that water can take its shape from any vessel it is in, but does not lose its core quality, in the same way I adjust but do not lose my identity by doing so. In fact, I can enhance what I am involved in and who I am connected with.
I am a human being, not a human doing, so I do not castigate myself for the mistakes I make, because I am more than my actions; I can change, I can learn, I can become better. The blame game is a waste of energy. If I find myself blaming the self or others it means I have not realised something or accepted the goodness at the heart of each situation and at the heart of each one. Giving regard strengthens relationships. Blame divides and polarises relationships. Open-heartedness and generosity are qualities that help us to accept, accommodate and, finally, to transform everything.
Gopi Patel is a spiritual educator and senior Rajyogi meditator with the Brahma Kumaris, specialising in spiritual pragmatism in all areas of life.