Even the Queen is Giving Hugs! Finding Stability in an Unpredictable World

Recession. Economic crisis. The air is abuzz with these words, from the concerned whispers of colleagues and friends, to the speculation and predictions of the media. Who will sink? Who will swim? How bad is it? How long will it last? Although it came as a shock, the current economic crisis serves as a reminder of the oldest, most pervasive and predictable aspect of life itself: change. The only thing that is certain, is change. In our society, our attitude toward change is often of sticking our heads in the sand. We try to pretend that it doesn't exist. We become rigid, seeking the illusory permanence of routine to make us feel safe, to feel in control. Many of us spend our lives dedicated to creating a stable environment; a solid career, a dependable spouse. But even the longest marriages can end in divorce, the largest fortunes in the world can dwindle down to nothing.

Striving to achieve material gain and trustworthy relationships is a wonderful thing, yet if we place our own sense of security in these things, we are setting ourselves up for a fall, we are building our house on a fragile foundation. However much we try to ignore it, we are not in control of the shifting sands of the world, and we never will be. In order to find true stability, we must first come to terms with the unstable nature of the things we rely on. When we become aware of the impossibility of external permanence, we can begin to cultivate the only thing that can give true security: inner peace.

There was once a king who announced a great competition, to paint the perfect picture of peace. The winner would be awarded a prestigious title as well as land and unimaginable riches. Everyone in the kingdom started to paint! Even people who had never painted before, in the hope of winning the prize. After many months of consideration, the king brought the selection down to two paintings, which were displayed in the palace for all to see.

The first painting was of a pristine lake, stretching serenely across the canvas, its expansive surface reflecting the snow capped mountains behind with perfect clarity. All those who gazed upon the painting gasped in awe; surely it had to be the winner.

The second painting was quite confusing. It depicted a similar lake in the throws of a great storm, wind thrashing through the trees, the lake's surface a choppy, swirling chaos. Where was the peace in this painting? Everyone agreed, the first painting was perfect; how could this one possibly compete against it? "Look a little more closely" said the king, in response to these queries. "At the end of the branch of that tree there, is a bird. He is sitting, perfectly still, in absolute peace."

This is true peace; when we can find peace within the storm of life, then we have found perfect peace.

Coping with the recession is not about what you're doing, it's about what you're being. In the midst of uncertainty, are you getting lost in the worries and concerns of the intellect? Or are you using this opportunity to cultivate a deeper internal anchor, a more stable foundation of love and trust within yourself?

The world is changing at an ever increasing pace, no doubt about it. With change comes uncertainty, which often leads to fear. We are moving into a new precedent, a world with elevating values and hopes. If we cling to what has come before, we will suffer. The old must die to make way for the new. Birth and death are the nature of evolution.

The world is delightfully unpredictable, and just when we think we have everything nicely boxed and categorized, the queen goes and hugs Michelle Obama. Rules are made to be broken, and the laws we often live our lives by can unravel in an instant, in the right circumstances. In our quest for self discovery, we must be willing to question our ideas and convictions, and challenge our own opinions about the world around us and indeed life itself. If we can remain flexible and adaptable in the face of change, we can embrace the new opportunities of a world that none of us can envision in its entirety.

The financial crisis is what you make of it. You can see it as a threat on your security, or you can use it as a tool to find inner stability. Sometimes our greatest losses can become our greatest opportunities; whether you wallow in the ashes or rise up transformed depends on how you make use of the situation to grow.

Do you have any stories to share about how a bad time in your life has ended up being a gift? I'd love to hear about it in the comments section. You can receive notice of this blog every Wednesday by clicking on "Become a Fan" at the top of this page.

Isha's latest book and movie, "Why Walk When You Can Fly?" explains her system for self-love and the expansion of consciousness.

Comments

[PaulT7]

The biggest transformative event in my life was nursing and getting to know my father over the nine months that he was diagnosed with cancer and then died. I moved back to my home city and devoted my time to being with him and living his life alongside him. When he died I felt bliss and had come to know a level of trust in life that continued to transform my life for 2 or more years after that. It was as if the universe rewarded me for the love that I invested by giving me a fearlessness that allowed me to innocently tread where angels feared to go.

[Isha - Huffpost Blogger]

Beautiful Paul, what a moving experience. Thanks for sharing.

[Jim Dunne]

After reading your book, I started to say:

Be in the Now, and trust. Every day, every minute, I am getting closer to wonderful things.

Jim

[Marlene Riviere]

I REALLY hope to meet you Isha at your retreat in Mexico ASAP. I love what you are doing and would love to be a part of it.. Thank you for your work!

[Marlene Riviere]

continued from above... I do what I can and then I let go. I no longer try and juggle my bills EVERYDAY like I used to, now I do it weekly, I no longer avoid calls from people I owe money to...I speak to them, tell them the truth and let it go. I have felt in the past that if I were in such a position that I would be living a very sad life of uncertainty. But really the opposite is true. I am learning that life IS uncertain and that I can still find peace. I have realized that peace comes first and that then no matter what comes at me, I can remain calm and know that all is well...despite what chaos is happening around me. This economic "crisis" is a wake-up call to humanity. Nothing will "bring" you peace. You must cultivate it within you. The way we are tested is to remain centered within the storm of life. The more times we keep our calm and our peace despite our circumstances, the more we PROVE to ourselves that we WILL be okay. We don't have to stress out. Life is easier when we relax and accept what is happening. I hope that everyone is learning through this "crisis" that we are okay...we will always be okay and no one can take our peace or inner freedom because this is our birthright.

[Marlene Riviere]

I have found the past year or so to be a true test. My faith that my needs will be met, has been tested. The money has been so tight that I have not been able to pay credit cards or taxes due. In the past, having very good credit and never missing any payments, I would have been very stressed about ever being in such a position. Now, there seems to be little I can do to make things better financially. There are many roadblocks and it seems like the message I am getting is that I need to accept that my needs will be met, but it is not a time to accumulate. I have accepted that things are exactly as they should be....because however hard I try...they are remaining quite the same. My creditors are being so nice it's crazy! My mortgage company is working with me to make things easier and somehow the necessary bills are getting paid. I have learned that the less I stress...the easier my life gets. continued below...

[Isha - Huffpost Blogger]

It certainly sounds like you have been growing a lot during the crisis, Marlene! I'm glad to hear you have such a positive attitude, and finding peace within uncertainty.
I look forward to meeting you in Mexico!

With love

Isha

[Steady Mountain]

I experienced rejection since newborn and subsequently became attached to external security as a desperate way to avoid fear and rejection. On September 8, 2003, in one of the most confusing moments in my life in which my internal convictions where falling apart, I met a person that with a glance shook up my entire existence: Isha. Since then I began to experience inner changes that pushed me deeper to an inner peace I didn’t imagine could ever feel. Two months ago a medical test showed a possible cancer in my body. I felt my life hanging by a thread. It was not rejection, my deepest fear, knocking at my door. It was cancer. All of a sudden I was not being exposed to disapproval as usual, I was thrown to chose between life and death. In an instant I pushed myself to go implacably fast and deep in the process I committed to since I began practicing the Isha System in September 2003. In this hurricane of emotions and belief systems blowing away something emerged from chaos… my inner peace. A peace so strong and powerful that steadily and kindly destroys the need of staying on the surface searching for external approval. Later in the last medical assessment appears there´s a weak possibility of cancer. Suddenly, without a prior notice, everything gets in its place and I’m aware that Unconditional Love to myself crosses my human experience and its fragrance permeates everything, absolutely everything.

[Isha - Huffpost Blogger]

What a beautiful experience! Thank you for sharing your story here. I hope we can continue to support you in your process, keep in touch!

[Steady Mountain]

All my gratitude and love for you all my sweet Isha! =0)
Hugs and kisses,
Steady Mountain