“..Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or Bends with the remover to remove.
O, no! It is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken.
It is the star to every wandering bark,
whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.” ~ William Shakespeare
Hold on a minute. Is this blog about elephants, or Shakespeare? Actually, it’s about both, and we will even add some John Lennon because what we are really talking about is love. And we are all wise to remember that “…..love is all you need.”
The very essence of yoga is to first see the beauty and wonderment that exists in all things. This understanding gives us the tools to pause and empower our selves to live our lives more gracefully and with love.
Shringara, the Rasa of love, represents the beauty that resides in our selves and in others. (Rasas are essences of emotions. The last article touched upon living life with curiosity, the Adbhuta Rasa.) To fully experience Shringara, one must see that beauty is everywhere in everything. It is to be enjoyed, never weighted or measured. Too often, we only see the beauty in what, or who, we think will serve us and we forget to see the beauty in every one.
In the temples of South India, elephants are adorned in luxurious fabrics and jewels then paraded around the grounds as the people honor them with devotion. Even the elephants are quite smitten with themselves. (They know they look hot!) But, when those very same elephants are de-robed they are treated as nothing special, just big elephants like all the others. What has changed? The elephants are still the same magnificent elephants. The shift in how they are looked upon is only in the perception of their value. Even the elephants carry themselves differently. (Not feeling so hot, anymore!)
Ask yourself, when you perceive someone as having more to offer you, do you act differently towards them? Do you dress up in your elephant garb and shine your jewels more brightly in their presence? When someone is not kind do you take off your jewels and join them at their level? If someone is disrespectful towards you, it is in your power to react with kindness and respect. Remember, you are the real receiver of how you treat others through the fulfillment of a beautiful life of love.
Imagine how everyone would feel if they were treated as if they were a gift. Imagine how we would treat one another if those gifts were always visible like luxurious fabrics and sparkling jewels. Imagine it isn’t just hopeful thinking, but possible. Or, as John Lennon wrote, “You may say that I’m a dreamer. But, I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And, the world will live as one”.
Eastern philosophy guides us to lead our lives in the enjoyment of Shringara and wonderment. To accept that each day there will be lots of demands on us, but it is in our power to react to them in a beautiful and curious manner.
Perhaps, Lennon’s lyric “…someday you’ll join us,” will start today and each of us will be more mindful that love is the most beautiful jewel. Remember to see love bold and bright in others, as well as in our selves. No diamonds, rubies, or pearls will hold a light to the brilliance you will bring into a room when you choose to see everyone as dressed up elephants! ~ Because you can.
