In current times Valentine’s Day is all about romantic love, expressed through flowers, gifts and special outings. It generally appeals to the feminine as a sign she is loved and valued. For the masculine it can be daunting or of little value to himself, so a deeper intention will likely help him embrace it. Valentine’s Day – Beyond Romance – is that even possible?

If you are missing romance in your life, feeling unseen or unappreciated, it can feel like a craving to have it. Or you may have even shut down on wanting that or not care about it at all. But Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to go beyond romantic love into a deeper union of sacred relationships. To expand your love and freedom, whether single or in a couple.

For couples infusing deeper love into the humdrum of daily life can have real, positive effects. You can go beyond flowers and chocolates into offering your partner ‘worship’ of the divine in them and they in you. The feminine loves to be seen and appreciated as the goddess of love, see my previous blog on worshipping the feminine. And he loves to be recognised as the noble hero in her life, see my previous blog on worshipping the masculine.

If your relationship is going through a challenging time, Valentine’s Day can be a painful reminder of what is missing. Instead of ignoring it, you could write a card or celebrate it saying something like “I know things aren’t great between us right now, but I still love you and I honour your love for me.”

For some singles the day can be more challenging, a reminder of loneliness or longing for something you don’t have yet, but it doesn’t have to be. Look deeper into what you most truly want in a relationship and honour that. Look beyond romance to the union you will cherish in the future.

Some singles celebrate by appreciating a special platonic friend. And a “Galentines” gathering could be a blissful women’s evening of opening and joy.

Going deeper into love can feel awkward or scary. Valentine’s Day – Beyond Romance means we don’t have to get it “right”. We are going deeper than the personality and our identities into a recognition of life and love itself. Don’t worry about it being reciprocated. Love and presence comes back to us in some form or another.

Love
Cynthia

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(Artwork by Ines Honfi  http://www.ineshonfi.com)

You may have heard people in the tantra and relationship space speaking of the Divine Masculine and Feminine, or invoking visions of Gods and Goddesses, and wondered about their true meaning. And how does this relate to us today, doing our best to love and connect in the midst of life’s challenges?

Many of us have a vague understanding of ancient tales and mythical realms, like the gods and goddesses from Greek and Roman mythology, such as Apollo, Dionysius, Aphrodite, and Diana. Or the Hindu archetypes of Shiva and Shakti. However the terms Divine Masculine and Feminine encompass more than these references.

When I speak of the Divine Masculine and Feminine, I call you to a realm beyond religion and myth. It is an invitation to explore the spiritual ideals of masculine and feminine energies, alive within you right now!

The Divine Masculine represents the archetype of the noble masculine. He embodies consciousness, awareness, wisdom, freedom, and the mastery of self. His essence transcends the petty demands of ego and opens his eyes to the vastness of existence. He resides in ‘nothingness’ and has a penetrative energy.

On the other hand, the Divine Feminine reveals herself as a cosmic embodiment of boundless love. She births and destroys, holds the divine mother archetype and many other forms of the feminine. She flows with sensual grace and can be utterly fierce too. Her essence surpasses the limitations of the small self, manifesting divine radiance and creativity. She resides in ‘fullness’ and has a receptive energy.

By recognizing the divine aspects within ourselves, and our beloveds, we unlock a path of transformation and growth. We can encourage and cultivate these qualities, both within ourselves and also nurture them in others, creating a beautiful and profound connection.

In this realm, the ordinary and the extraordinary are entwined, the human and the sacred. It is a journey of discovery, where the divine whispers secrets of love and possibility, unveiling the beauty and strength hidden within us all.

We see what we look for, so next time you see yourself as flawed, remember you also carry the divine within you. It is helpful to orient towards this, while embracing all of our human emotions too. If we can locate divine feminine Love and masculine divine Awareness within ourselves and others, it helps us to make better choices that will benefit ourselves and all beings. The you are Love. And then you are Awareness.

Check in with yourself and see how much of the divine masculine or feminine is coming through you? Do what you can to expand: breathe, move, meditate, feel, open your heart, rest in peace, bring presence…

When you are annoyed by your date or your partner’s faults or habits, focus instead on the divine aspect in them. See that they are Love, they are Awareness, maybe it’s just a little buried right now.  When we see and appreciate this it grows stronger. Each time we practice and choose more love and awareness we embody more of the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine. They go hand in hand with our humanity.

This is not some ideal to beat ourselves up with, or to judge others by. It’s not about what we wear or how we project ourselves. The Divine Feminine and Masculine is a north star to orient ourselves towards. And a way of seeing that brings spirit into our lives every day.

with love

Cynthia

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Devotion: Love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person or an activity.

What or who are you devoted to in your life?

Devotional love is a type of love imprint. When someone is captivated by their devotion to a person, a cause, or an activity, they will do anything to support it. Both masculine and feminine essence experience devotion, in different ways. It’s an essential part of intimate relationship, and I will say more about that later.

There are many things I have lived and seen of devotion, in actions both big and small.

It’s 2013 and I’m in Bali, about to run a Living Love workshop retreat in the town of Ubud. In this trendy epicentre of yoga and spiritual entrepreneurs, I am sitting in a luxurious café, trying to relax on the carved couch, staring out at the even rows of the rice paddies below. But it’s too hot and humid, and I feel heavy and weighed down, stressed about all the planning of my upcoming course.

A young Balinese woman, simply dressed in a carefully folded sarong, with a red waistband and short sleeved blouse cropped at her midriff, comes in and places a woven leaf plate of flowers in front of a statue in the corner of the café. From my distance I notice pink, orange and green colours and what could be rice. A single stick of incense is alight. Devotional offerings. The grey stone image of the mother goddess doesn’t respond. Perhaps the woman feels duty bound to do this ritual to the goddess of prosperity, and is bored with it? But nevertheless, her grace, her single-minded attention that doesn’t notice any of us in the café, and the proud humility of her posture touches me. It does have meaning for her, I am sure.

I wonder ‘What am I devoted to?’ Why am I here running this workshop in this sticky place that as much it pulls at my senses, tires and frustrates me trying to get things done? Nothing comes to mind, so I close my eyes for a moment to feel for the answer. Ultimately, I am here because I believe that the personal growth work I do transforms people in valuable ways. I’m really good at it too, so it is also giving my gifts in service to others.

I look up and the Balinese woman has gone. The humid air feels more caressing than oppressive. Somehow more perfumed, or it is that I notice this now? I leave my previous concerns aside for a moment and gratefully savour my exquisitely decorated coffee amidst this haven of lushness with its soft-spoken people.

That evening I find a helper with local knowledge who is keen to work. And with my co-organiser we add a visit to a local water temple to the workshop schedule. Devotional love is better seen and felt than explained.

On an earlier visit to India, I was taken to a Shakti temple near Poona. My first temple visit, and I had no idea what to expect.

I made my way through thickening crowds and pressing noise, finally descending the tight and steep stone steps leading down to the inner sanctum. In this cave-like space was a large, black yoni stone, it’s vulva-shaped depression filled with shiny water, surrounded and caressed by men and women, who rubbed and chanted in the almost darkness, praying for fertility, abundance and whatever else holy she represented to the surges of people visiting that day. It was a marketplace type of spirituality, and so unlike the careful Christian rituals that I had grown up with. Here was the goddess Shakti, a symbol that represented the feminine principle in all her embodiment. I loved it all. The wildness of the devotion and worship, the lack of repression. The grubby love.

For the feminine essence…

For the feminine essence devotion is central to her well-being. This may be to her beloved, her family, friends, community, pets, causes, gurus, her art. The sense that her life is devoted to something beyond herself. We see this in the women who supported the churches for centuries, the willing charity volunteers baking cakes for school raffles, the Knitting Nannas activists knitting for yarn bombing, the ecstatic devotees who fall at the guru’s feet (it’s usually a man).

The sisters and aunties that care for the sick and the dying, the working mothers and wives who do more than their share of the housework. Part of it is gendered cultural conditioning and lack of opportunities to take a leadership role, but a very real part of it is the feminine desire for the expression of her devotional love.

She will give and give and can even over give, wearing herself out. And when she collapses on the couch in chronic fatigue, barely survives on five hours sleep, or is diagnosed as obese, she may take stock.  It is so compelling to be devoted, and to be in service to the object of that devotion, that she can forget to see that she is losing herself. And not in a healthy way. Her journey is often one of facing her fear of being with herself, reclaiming her own identity. Regarding herself as important enough for care and nourishment.

For the masculine essence…

For the masculine essence his devotional love is often linked to his mission and purpose. We revere people such as eye surgeon Fred Hollows who dedicated his life to restoring sight to the needlessly blind, especially in third world countries. Or the young warrior who quietly spends all his free time combatting depression in youths. The mentors who guide others with their wisdom, be that in business or transformation. The scientists who spend their entire working life on one breakthrough that will benefit humanity, hopefully.

He can also become devoted to truth, mediation, awareness in action.

The masculine too can become obsessed and forget his health and well-being, more focused on building that orphanage than the close people around him. And when his partner leaves him, often angry at trying to get some personal attention, he realises how important that is to him. His journey is often one of finding balance between his generalised devotion to mission and to more intimate love.

In intimacy…

Devotional love in intimacy is when that love is expressed through actions and intentions towards a beloved. Caring, protective and nurturing love are all part of devotion. Attending to the details of what makes them happy. Being loyal. Not because of any ‘should’ but because it gives you joy to do so. Supporting their individual evolution.

Receiving the devotion of the other can sometimes be harder than giving it. It raises the ghost of self-doubt and lack of worth, but over time, if you can let it in, and also give your form of devotional love, this creates a tender, heartfelt loving relationship. This doesn’t exclude others, rather it can spill over into the community around you. Children learn about it from the adults in their lives.

If you focus your devotion on what is great about the other person, not what is wrong, then the great grows bigger.

When you don’t know how to resolve a conflict, start doing simple devotional acts for your beloved. It will change the energy to one of care and connection, and when sincere, is irresistible to most people.

Create a ritual together where you express your devotion, to each other and to the transcendent energies in you.

Devotion to having a good sexual life is important. Making time, learning new skills, discovering what your lover likes. If you are not attending to it, explore why not? The union that is at the heart of your relationship, and potentially your family, is the union of masculine and feminine sexual essences, the union of beloveds.

Your own devotional heart…

Finding your way to your own devotional heart is a matter of listening to what stirs in you and following it. If that is singing in a Roman era amphitheatre in Cyprus, as Loreena McKenna did one moonlit night, or like one woman I know who had been growing a yoga school on her own for twenty years and then attracting a partner who is devoted to her. Or caring lovingly for his ill spouse who can no longer walk or do the things they loved to do together. Or over and over, a parent teaching their child how to feel and listen and speak their truth.

Ultimately your devotional love refines you into someone who is worthy to live this devotion. It is like a honing or grinding machine. It is not easy. Mistakes are made along the way. Perhaps we are devoted to an unloving partner, or are taken for granted, or even come under the thrall of a criminal. The key here is not to stop being devotional, but to learn from the mistakes and keep loving. And I know that is not easy, when voices inside you may be screaming at you “Wise up! Don’t trust again! Stay safe.”

I believe it is safer to risk love than being closed.

love

Cynthia

PRACTICE

Create an ‘altar’ to what you are devoted to. It may be a simple zen display of a photo of your beloved with a candle, or a more elaborate ‘shamanic’ creation with objects that evokes specific feelings and intentions. Flowers and colours? Up to you.

Do it in a spirit of love, of care and of giving attention to what matters to you. You choose whatever that is. Play and be free. Keep it there for as long as it feels meaningful. You will know when it is time to take it down.

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These days there is a lot of pressure to find your overarching life purpose. This will supposedly lead to greater clarity, focus and a more satisfying life. If this purpose is noble and serves others, even better. It seems we must all be on a quest to find and live our purpose to make our lives meaningful.  Our purpose – is it to love fully and deeply?

I too sought my life purpose, reading the books and doing the inquiry. Being of a spiritual inclination I was convinced I could find where I fitted into the puzzle of life. And there were important recognitions along the way of trusting the intuition of my higher self and valuing the gifts I bring to others. And somewhere in there the need to define my purpose dropped away as I embraced my feminine essence. Purpose was a good thing when in service to my heart.

For the feminine essence love and creativity are central to her motivation. For the masculine essence, purpose is central to his motivation. And we have both of these energies in us at times. I see many men, and an increasing number of women, feel they are a failure because they don’t have a ‘life purpose’. Or they judge that their life purpose isn’t meaningful enough, or clear enough. It’s a trap.

If you have a masculine essence

If you have a masculine essence you are most likely to have several different purposes throughout your life. Your purpose may be very different depending on your age and what stage of life you are at. When we are young adults, a large part of our purpose is looking for sexual partners and learning about life. When we are in the process of building family, career and wealth, our purpose is very different. Or when family has grown up, career goals achieved or faded away, you may want to explore more adventurous or spiritual pursuits. Your purpose will change and grow as you do.

When a person with a strong masculine essence is in the gap between a purpose coming to an end, and the new one not yet formed, this can be a very confusing time. Nothing seems clear anymore, he is in the unknown. Or he may have had an idea of a big purpose and failed to fulfil it.

Patience and discipline is required to navigate this new territory and it can literally feel like life has no value or meaning. Right now, in the pandemic, we are seeing people lose businesses overnight that they have built up for decades, jobs are disappearing, and what was once a clear purpose is lost in space. 

I know how hard it can be when our beloved seems to change from a person of action and purpose, to one of indecision, doubt, inaction and even despair. It can be challenging to know how to respond to them in this space. Do you help them find their new purpose, or challenge them to find one, unhappily put up with it, or leave them until they do? None of those will support them during a period of purposelessness.

I learnt that I needed to be aware when it was my own emotions or frustration that was biting me. Sometimes for them sitting on the couch doing nothing is genuinely needed to navigate the abyss. But when they are getting lost and spiralling down into a waste land that doesn’t serve them, I need to act with authentic energetic responses, and show my love and trust to help them navigate these tricky waters.

If you are lacking purpose don’t despair and grab for something, like a life raft. You most likely need to sink into the ocean and then rise with a new purpose. Sometimes your purpose may be revealed in a flash of insight, and sometimes it will take time, or even gradually dawn on you that you are already living your purpose.

Traditional initiation rituals, such as a vision quest, were designed to help us discover our purpose. People do various forms of these today, men and women, hoping for the clarity of a unifying vision, clear direction and knowing. Sometimes that knowing may come from the paradox of finding purpose by giving up purpose. 

Trying too hard to find your purpose can create a reaction that keeps it away. It’s the subtle art of intention, release and letting go. Trusted friends will know how you are doing with this, as well as your partner if you have one. Your partner will respond with devotion and patience if they see you genuinely having the intention to discover your purpose. 

If you have a feminine essence

If you have a feminine essence, you may also long to have a clear life purpose. If it is a higher purpose that  puts you in service to others, that is meaningful for the feminine heart. It also makes bearable all the masculine energy you need to activate to achieve the purpose. A life purpose also gives an internal certainty and structure that can help the feminine relax and flow.

However, many women and those with strong feminine essence find that they can’t connect to a deep life purpose and are wondering, ‘ Is there something wrong with me?’ 

This includes those who are raising small children. Our society generally doesn’t value raising children as a worthwhile purpose, a stay at home parent should be doing other things as well. I wonder what is more worthwhile than being the source of love, care and wisdom to new human beings?

The feminine essence is a mystery, an opening, an embodiment of love. What if the feminine life purpose is to be just that? To remind others of the delight of life with her skin, her hair, her radiant smile, her tears, her heart, her sensuality. That she is in herself a purpose, not as something to achieve but as a living, breathing force of nature.

This understanding can always be combined with a more goal-oriented life purpose, they are not exclusive. If you are confused as to what to do in the world, how to best give your gifts, follow what energetically attracts you. That will lead you to the place where you feel fulfilled and can give your gifts to others. You may need to train or study, and work hard, but it will feel right (most of the time). Even when it is difficult there will be this inner attraction that makes sense of it all.

If you are primarily a masculine essence you will be happier with a clear life purpose, knowing this will most likely change several times during your life. If you don’t have one, it’s an opportunity to go deeper and find the next layer of your life’s commitment. Criticising yourself or comparison with other more focused men won’t help — but quiet intention will.

If you are a young man, the pressure to know your purpose, and have a form for it, can be intense. Take the freedom to organically live your life, exploring and adventuring, and discovering your deepest purpose along the way. The urgency to find THE career, specialise, get it right, and succeed is often blocking the ability to discover what is right for each person. 

Whatever you are doing, do it with care and excellence and the next step will happen. If you are distracting yourself a lot, it can be a great idea to cut down on these distractions and be open to honing down into your purpose.

If you are primarily a feminine essence you don’t need a purpose in the same way as the masculine does. You will be happiest with your heart having a way to love fully and deeply, in service to others, with a wonderful freedom to express your energy and embodiment.

It won’t necessarily follow a straight line, it will probably be creatively full of curves  and swirls. Enjoy!

When we are single, our purpose in life often includes finding a mate, a beloved. It is helpful to know the purpose of the relationship you are seeking. Having fun and sexual exploration? Or building a life together? Creating a family? Following spiritual paths or choosing someone you want to evolve with in the best possible way? If you and a partner are not aligned in your purpose for the relationship it can be a struggle.

Couples sometimes find that when their purpose no longer matches it is hard to stay together. If one starts to want commitment and a family and the other does not want that, then love may not be enough. Or if years of marriage and raising a family has finished, they have completed  that purpose, and if one of them wants to explore and grow in alternative ways, and the other doesn’t, they may separate. 

Ideally, a couple can match their love and commitment to finding new purpose and new love that nourishes and gifts others, and it usually takes time, so let’s not be in a rush to have a life purpose. Celebrate it if you have one, for now. Be ready to dig deeper when you don’t have one. 

Or be content to love fully and deeply as one of the most profound purposes you could have.

Are you in alignment with your soul destiny, your purpose? Have you had a few purposes in this incarnation? What’s next for you? How do you feel about the nomenclature of masculine and feminine essence? We realise they are fluid and not gender specific but somehow we all recognise the language of masculine and feminine energies — Both vital, both equally important and both with joys and challenges. We love that the world is becoming less binary and more fluid. In praise of the dance of the masculine and feminine essence in all of us, please let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

I trust this article will support you in exploring your purpose in this challenging time.

love

Cynthia

This revised article was first published on Uplift Connect

The post Our Purpose? To Love Fully and Deeply appeared first on Living Love | Relationship Workshops & Coaching for Intimacy, Connection & Growth.

My Conversations with Renowned Gurus

A good activity for coronavirus isolation time for me is to be creative. My immediate workshop schedule is cancelled and all international trips are on hold. I am writing a book and find myself writing about the wisdom pressed into me by life and my personal story. I didn’t know I would soon be experiencing time travel with the masters for their advice on coronavirus!

Firstly I notice what arises in myself and others. There is the fear of contracting the virus and being one of those who get really sick. Even a fear of death as I watch those statistics rising around the world. And then worry about financial collapse as our economy takes a huge hit. Lots of reasons to be on an emotional roller coaster ride. And the waves of fear and anxiety can be very subtle, even just a low buzz of stress.

I was writing about Tantra¹ and how my interest in it started when I was a devotee of the Indian guru Osho. I got to thinking what advice would Osho have for me, and others, about the pandemic? And what about other teachers and wisdom keepers who contributed to my spiritual embodiment. What would Ramana Maharshi, and Papaji, have to say if I was fortunate enough to hang out with them for a while? These wise men of India are no longer living. I ask my mind’s eye and heart and spirit to conjure up playful visualisations …

Meeting Osho in My Imagination

I am sitting with Osho on a velvet couch in India and we are chatting over tea. Next to us is a beautiful pond with two swans gliding past. I tell him about my first taste of him when I came across the book, ‘Only One Sky: On the Tantric Way of Tilopa’s Song of Mahamudra’ which was a series of his discourses on Tantra. 

Never had I read anything so spiritually compelling. I felt I was receiving a direct transmission of Truth. My consciousness expanded, clarity sparkled and the concept of celebration of life entered me. In my heart there was a connection to Osho.

He smiles at me and I feel myself expanding in his beam of unconditional love. Encouraged, we reminisce about the TV film I made about him in the late ’80s. I was in the midst of integrating all the distressing things that happened in those last years of his American commune. And the loss of innocence that rocked me. And yet there was the undeniable truth of the Buddha-nature I felt in his presence. 

Osho. Image: Ma Vivek

Again, that Osho presence and smile, and the way it relaxes me into a feeling of deep acceptance. I ask him, ‘What about the coronavirus pandemic?’

He sits in silence for a long moment. Then he tells me it is a reminder of the truth of our existence. There is no certainty in life. We are here to celebrate. Not to cling to life, security and the known. But to meet the unknown, the mystery of life with celebration, laughter, and love.

I remind him that during the AIDS epidemic he quickly had his followers taking very strict protection measures. Condoms, plastic mouth dams and no kissing was the order of the day. Osho knew that the sexual freedom he encouraged would leave his tribe vulnerable.

‘Yes’, he says to me, ‘life is sacred, and we must protect it. This is love.’ Hmmm, I think, protect and celebrate, that works! We can do what needs to be done, but we don’t have to be gloomy about it. We can respect the grief and loss of life that has come for many, be deeply compassionate, and still acknowledge the inherent beauty of life. There is no need to feel guilty about joy. 

Were he alive today I am sure Osho would cancel his live gatherings and very quickly adapt to the most modern technology available to spread his message.

We smile at each other and namaste our goodbye, in a heartfelt connection. 

The Day I Sat with Papaji

One year after Osho died, I heard that many of his followers were visiting another guru or teacher in Lucknow, India, named Sri Poonjaji. I managed a short visit to sit with him in Satsang (gathering together for the truth). Short, but it made a big impression. Papaji was not young yet he seemed full of life and laughter. Bemused at this sudden influx of Western disciples he still held Satsang in his house and the meeting room was overflowing. There was a lot of light-hearted energy and many there were relieved to have found another living master. 

I wasn’t looking for a master, yet I was in love with the energy, the vibration of expansion that filled his room and those who came close to him. He was ordinary, yet not ordinary. I later read his biography and was amazed at how he had gone from being an engineer to a Krishna bhakti, to a devotee of one of the most revered Indian sages, Sri Ramana Maharshi. 

H. W. L. Poonja, a.k.a. Papaji. Image: Avadhuta Foundation

‘Call off the search’, was Papaji’s saying, and to me, that meant to stop seeking, to let go of that activity which can prevent one recognising that we already are what we seek. We are already that peace and freedom right here, right now — if we pay attention.

In a small meeting, I asked him a question and he affirmed my discoveries were on the right path. Then he told me to go home and be there. This made sense to me, coming after years of seeking, personal growth, following teachers, and travelling making films. It was time to go home in every sense of the word. 

Today in my visualisation, Papaji and I are drinking fresh lime sodas while he watches cricket on his small TV. Absorbed, simply enjoying, this is a life lesson in itself. Not that I like cricket, but I love movies. We are observing social distancing and hand sanitiser is on the table.

I ask him, ‘Papaji, what to do about the coronavirus?’ He starts roaring with laughter and I feel momentarily embarrassed. Shaking that off I wait to see what he means, and I get it. There is no point in worrying about it. What will be will be. He himself is older and susceptible to a lung infection. While those around him fuss to keep him safe, he already feels safe. He tells me there is nothing to be done except to be with the truth of the moment. He is a responsible citizen who will follow instructions, but his truth is so much vaster than any restriction, his freedom so wide and deep he is already absorbed in Love and Awareness.  

“Use this time well”, he says. “Be with your true nature, no matter what arises on the surface, use it to go deeper into life and being.” He turns back to the cricket match.

On a table next to Papaji sits a black and white photo of his beloved guru, Sri Ramana Maharshi. Ramana was a revered saint in South India, a teacher of ‘Advaita Vedanta’ or non-dualism. His eyes beam with clarity and kindness and I am drawn to the photo. After all, he is the source in this spiritual lineage.

 Wisdom from Ramana Maharshi

A few years later, after my actual visit with Papaji, I stayed in the Sri Ramana ashram at Tiruvannamalai. The historic ashram is situated at the foot of Arunachala Hill which was regarded by Sri Ramana Maharshi, and Tamil saints, as the spiritual heart of the world. I loved wandering over the hill, visiting caves, and other holy sites. Luckily I was there at the time of the annual Shivaratri festival so there were many visiting sages, and Satsangs by different gurus were being held everywhere.

Ramana Maharshi. Image: Ramana Maharshi

I imagine I am back there … entering the gates of the beautiful yet simple Ramana ashram. I am taken by the peace and the feeling of a sacred place. Wandering through the buildings and trees, I stumble across a cow stable and realise I am looking at a  descendant of Lakshmi, Sri Ramana’s cow who became enlightened. A man in a loincloth is patting the cow and as I approach, he hands me a cup of buttermilk, telling me it is from the cow. As I take it, I realise that this humble man is Ramana himself. 

I drink the milk and also drink in the purity of this master. My questions recede in the stillness around him, but I remember to ask him about our current crisis of the threatening coronavirus pandemic.

He sits and remains silent for many minutes, then gently begins a song of devotion to Arunachala, his sacred Shiva hill. Hearing this, there is an ancient truth that swoons me into a knowing. Then with gentle words, Ramana guides me to ask, ‘Who is this person, this I, or even this world, that I am concerned for?’ That question has only one answer, ‘I am That.’ And I am also the one who loves That.

Ramana stands up and we go together to prepare food to feed the hungry people who are suffering from the lockdown. The ashram is closed but his family have organised a safe delivery system, so Sri Ramana’s divine sustenance can still be given.

 I Am Blessed

As I bring my awareness back to my living room, to this present moment, I recognise I am blessed to have been able to receive the grace of these three teachers and many more. All have inspired me in different ways to live fully, love courageously, and risk diving for the depths. A combination of Tantra and self-inquiry, with lots of love and laughter, has been a recipe I have been cooking and refining for most of my life so far.

I hope you have enjoyed my time travel with the masters, and their advice for coronavirus.

with love

Cynthia

First published on Uplift Connect: https://upliftconnect.com/time-travel-with-the-masters/

1. Tantra is a philosophy and a spiritual path. The essence of Tantra can be found in the Hindu religion, also in Tibetan Buddhism and Taoism. One core aspect of Tantric philosophy is nondualism or the idea that everything is divine. That the body and spirit are not separate. Sacred sexuality is a part of Tantra.

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