Hurricane Sandy: Lessons learned
October 28th, 2012, a year after the announced end date of the Mayan Calendar day Franken-storm “Sandy” was close to making landfall in the mid-Atlantic. Was it another warning for a possible Armageddon or simply the wrath of Gaia raging against human greed? Perhaps, a reminder that it’s time to curb the unsustainable drive to accumulate more, to venture out of our matrix-ridden lives, to suspend personal plans and let nature guide us into what needs to be done.
Indeed, it was an auspicious day for me, too – my 39th birthday. I woke up with a sense of urgency to prepare bread for my students and friends, which we were supposed to share in gratefulness after our Sunday “Yogea” session in Midtown, Manhattan. But soon a state of emergency was declared in NYC, suspending the MTA and making the intended celebration impossible. Instead, I was given time for reflection and prayer. I lit a candle, and sat at my altar, anticipating the coming storm through a long “trataka” meditation. It was long because I had all the time in the world. The city buzz suddenly ceased, linear time froze, urban dwellers withdrew in a time-less capsule of introspection and remembrance. We were asked to remember who we are and why we are here. We were asked to reconsider our daily activities and realign them with the needs of the Earth. We were asked to release obsolete patterns that no longer served our growth.
As I gazed at the flickering flame that day I could see the Earth yawning into a hollow void. The flat and secure reality that I had built suddenly curved in and out like a fluid membrane that resonated with the fluctuations of the Earth. I could sense the intangibility and transience of every moment and the power of rooting in the present. While watching the massive storm slamming the entire East Coast, morphing into a huge vortex and swiping over 112 people, I clearly felt that we can no longer continue to abuse the Earth irresponsibly and exploit her natural resources for financial and political gains. I also thought that unless we find a balance between materialism and spirituality, we are doomed to be victims of our own destiny. The time had come to make our choices in the expansive context of a universe of countless interdependent life-forms, and everyone should assume a share of ecological responsibility. And yet in the midst of the horrendous stories of lost lives, flooded homes, burning cars, annihilated neighbourhoods Hurricane Sandy tested all kinds of systems – the logistical, the political, the personal, and like all tests it revealed a lot about who we are. It showed that the infrastructure is fragile but our hearts are not. There were some poignant moments and a sense of synergy and communal spirit. Families living in safe locations sheltered evacuees for days; kids were left without play station and had to invent real games; crowds of pc addicts made friends swarming around office spaces and bank headquarters to stay online; texting was currently suspended and people relished the closeness of personal communication and affection again. The horrific event suddenly became a window of opportunity for every soul to learn lessons, to challenge relationships, values and status quo. And indeed the lessons were learned: team work, a spirit of empathy and a sense of life purpose in the context of an interdependent and “boundary-less” shifting world.
10 days after “Sandy’s” howl I sit in contemplation and gratitude again at my altar focused on the flickering flame. I zoom into the rainbow halo, absorbed and yet alert. I can feel a subtle quality of focus and softness, of concentration and relaxedness. I have merged with this prayerful glow. As I bask in gratitude and appreciation I send out my prayers to those who transcended, to those in need, loving and living the divine plan on Earth.
Yogea Candle Meditation – Soft Focus
This trataka-inspired Yogea candle meditation increases attentiveness and the ability to attain a “soft focus” and a sense of mindfulness through your life. Just like any meditation and concentration practice it steadies the wondering mind. The technique can be applied as a mental hygiene tool or target an object of particular importance. In the process of drawing the object of perception closer you merge with your point of inquiry and receive immediate insight or direct guidance. The practice and experience varies. Often the senses are withdrawn but also activated internally, and as a result colors and images could flood the third eye, a possible ringing in the ears could appear, or even virtual fragrance could waft through the space. The key is to invite any emotion, idea, image or inspiration that wells up in the moment of reflection. Eventually the sense of self and other dissolves and one feels an expansion of personal space, unleashed creative awareness and feeling of serenity and peace. As you increase concentration you hone the faculty of the mind to project clear intentions and eventually bring your heartfelt desires to fruition. The technique is also suitable for emptying the mind and shedding old patterns of thought and living. As you tune to the element of fire you tune to the Earthly vortex and invite the power of transformation to clear past impurities and pave your way to a happy and meaningful life. Daily candle trataka meditation strengthens the eye muscles and promotes healthy eye-sight and clear vision. The technique could culminate into a prayer of gratitude and planetary healing.
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