During the last weeks of November, 2016, millions of souls world-wide have been feeling conflicted about the outcome of the U.S. Presidential election. Some are viewing the situation with a renewed hope for change, while others are living in a place of fear and trepidation. Widespread protests and resistance reveal a concern about the future of our lives, our beloved country and the world.
Haole is a word that has been used for centuries in the ancient Chinese healing art of Qigong, which involves meditation, controlled breathing and movement exercises. The word, Haole, is often chanted to enhance the participants’ ability to remain balanced and centered, mentally and physically, during their practice and in their daily lives.
Haole is defined as All is well, but the incredible depth of this seemingly simple phrase reveals a sublime wisdom that impacts every facet of one’s perspective of life.
Our state of mind depends directly upon the lens through which we view life. We can look for what we may consider to be negatives or flaws, or we can choose to embrace a focus on the the joy, the good, the beautiful, the gratitude, which are ever-present in all. This is not to say that we do not acknowledge the darker energies, but it is critically important that we do not strengthen and feed them, by infusing them with our own. Our focused attention and energy is best centered on the Light.
All is well implies that no matter what is happening at any given moment, it is natural merely because it is. Buddhists believe that by losing expectations and resistance to what is, we release suffering.
In an attempt to comfort those whose hearts are experiencing anxiety, I would like to offer a modest perspective, which may serve to give grounding truth and clarity to what appears to some to be a socially convoluted state of chaos.
This analogy of the Taoist parable, The Story of the Chinese Farmer, is valuable:
A Chinese farmer receives the gift of a horse and the horse runs away. A neighbor says ‘That’s bad news.” The farmer replies, “Good news, bad news, who can say?”
The horse returns to the farmer and brings a second horse with him. Good news, you might say.
The farmer gives the second horse to his son, who rides it, then is thrown and badly breaks his leg.
“So sorry for your bad news” says the concerned neighbor. “Good news, bad news, who can say?” the farmer replies.
In a week or so, the Emperor’s men come and take every able-bodied young man to fight in a war. The farmer’s son is spared.
Again, one might say, good news.
Yet, we do not know the end to this story we are living, as many changes await us. Consequently, rather than making an automatic assumption and labeling something, perhaps it is best to bide our time and observe what happens. Often, amazing things can be the result of that which was previously believed to be a negative.
In the story of Siddhartha, he lies on the banks of a river, gazing out to watch the water meandering about a mile or so. Curious to see further, he climbs to a higher ledge, where he can then see 10 miles or more to the distant valleys. Climbing higher and higher, he finally stands at the top of an adjacent cliff and observes the landscape for 100 miles or more, beyond the river, across the valleys, mountains and seas beyond, to the vast horizon.
While we possess extraordinary senses that are somewhat presently limited, rendering us unable to know precisely what lies in store for our future, surely, on another grander level of awareness, it is already known.
After decades of looking back in retrospect at various non-coincidences, my Higher Self has taught me to trust that all is for a reason. If one believes in a Higher Power, then it follows that all happens in Divine Timing.
While there are no simplistic answers for a fear-based consciousness, it is my prayer that these few words may bring a fresh look and maybe a measure of relief for those who have been feeling stressed.
By coming from a place of love, rather than fear, millions of us can consciously choose to send the new President-Elect our positive prayers and visions, so he will energetically receive this massive collective energy, empowering him to succeed for the greatest common good. Pure, authentic intention holds enormous, sacred power.
When we accept and are grateful for what is, releasing a need to label, we are enabled to clearly focus on the immensity of surrounding Light and trust that All is well.
With loving gratitude for all that is…
~ Trenace Rose
Thanksgiving, 2016