I just came out of a beautiful class this evening, where we explored the ways in which we have been personally inspired by Barack Obama's magnificent ascent to the presidency.
I've been deeply touched by this election, spending hours on the computer reading articles and watching the speeches and updates. I'm not hooked because of the politics and the drama, but because of what Obama is reminding me of in myself. As I saw him standing on that great big empty stage in Chicago last night, I was struck by the enormity of what he was doing. He was standing in his truth; standing, alone, in front of an enormous crowd, just being himself. I feel that a BIG part of what made his campaign successful is that he recognized early on that he had a gift. He saw that he has certain merits, qualities and abilities that are being called forth by the dynamically changing circumstances of this time. And he has followed a deep calling to live these gifts, to allow them to open and express themselves in all their glory. The even keel and steady hand in times of crisis that eventually won over the nation's trust comes not from an inner holding but from an inner knowing. It comes from the trust in himself and in the merits that he's been gifted with and has developed.
As I see it, his call for change, for a new dawn, is a call to each of us to find out what it is that we stand in. I'm always interested in the inner, not in the outer layers of life and society. So I'm asking myself - what is my gift? what are the merits, skills, passions and qualities that I can nourish and support in order to grow into whoever I am meant to be? Obviously, I'm not meant to be the president of the United States, or to be Barack Obama. My job is to be Deepika, to stand on that empty stage of life and face my own destiny.
Each of us is so utterly unique. Yet we all want to grow, to expand beyond the confines of being a seed and realize our fullest potential. Just as a sapling longs to become an oak tree, or a rosebud is designed to open in full bloom and share its fragrance, so each of us longs to grow into being who we really are. One of us may be gifted with great patience, another could be loving and nurturing, while someone else might have a particular kind of strength or clarity. There may be essential qualities that are shared by many or all of us, but the way we express them is utterly unique. In our small gathering at tonight's class we could sense so clearly how we are all interconnected; even as we all share similar merits, the expression of that merit (such as strength for example), and our inner feeling in the body of that quality were utterly individual and special.
So what is Barack Obama teaching me...? He's showing me what it looks like to see someone living his gifts. He's reminding me to look within myself through the eyes of my heart to find what is really important to me, to uncover the deeper values and truths that are there within me and to let them shine forth. Reminding me to respect myself and the destiny that is mine to live. By destiny I don't mean that there's any hidden script I need to follow, but rather that there's a natural unfolding of my being. Just as a redwood tree spreads its roots into the soil and rises to the sky without the affliction of self doubt and judgment, so it is time for me to take responsibility for my truth and enjoy the opportunities life is providing me to grow.
So, thank you, Mr. President for reminding me. Reminding me that as you have embraced the wings of change to sweep away the old power politics and bring a new consciousness to the collective mindset of a nation, it is also a moment for me to disregard the petty nay-saying of my own mind and bring forth the depth of my own heart.
