There’s a concept in the ancient practice of Qi Gong, which translates as “energy work,” that our bodies are bridges between Heaven and Earth, conduits that channel energy from the ground up through our feet through the crown of our head to the heavens, and down from the heavens through our crown to the Earth. We are the connecting tissue. We are physical substance and pure energy combined.
I love to think of myself in those terms, to think of all humankind as bridges that channel sacred energy, the entire universe to this world.
What do we do when selfish people forget or never realize their function and purpose in life and hurt others?
I can worry about the stupidity of others and create anxiety for myself, or I can accept my powerlessness over the actions of others and chant the following phrase from the Rig Veda:
“Guard me against the grief that haunts the life of the selfish.”
The grief that haunts the life of the selfish.
That’s certainly been me at times, creating my own grief and causing grief to others in my pain and ignorance.
As a friend recently reminded me, self-awareness, self-knowledge, and good old shadow work are necessary to gain consciousness, to become more aware of the divinity that surrounds and permeates us. And that we let go, surrender everything we know to God. We are God’s channel, God’s conduit to one another and back to God. It takes getting rid of a lot of crud to become so.
It’s good to have friends, angels, and guides to help us along our way.
I am here to offer witness, presence, and company. And strength and hope in my capacity, as well.
Guard us against the grief that haunts the life of the selfish. Lead us from darkness into light. We will sing of your love as it was sung of old. Your laws change not, but stand like the mountains. Forgive me all the mistakes I have committed. Many mornings will dawn upon us again. Guide us through them all, O Lord of Love. --"God Makes the Rivers to Flow," from The Rig Veda