The river of the mind flows in two directions, towards good and towards evil. This flow is dictated by our personal inner landscape that has been crafted by every experience our minds have encountered.

If the mind elevates on a high plateau, using discrimination when determining the validity of its thoughts, patterns are rerouted and the river can change directional flow.

If the mind gets pulled down through a deep canyon, discernment of thoughts tend to be lost. In the dark movement, it can be hard to know truth. This is when the mind flows towards evil.

After the fourth mass murder in four weeks I am heartbroken for the lives that were taken and the families that are suffering in their loss. I am blown away by the number of minds that are drowning in the waters of their own evil. I feel helpless, lost, and scared for what seems to be an escalating issue. What can I do?

Then I remember the Rumi quote, “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

Patanjali says in sutra 1.33 that the mind will become serene by cultivating four specific attitudes for four particular types of people.

His sutra teaches to:

1. Cultivate feelings of love and friendliness for the happy and comfortable.

2. Cultivate feelings of compassion for the suffering.

3. Cultivate feeling of delight and goodwill for the virtuous.

4. Cultivate feelings of neutrally and acceptance for the evil.

Iyengar comments “These qualities keep the mind in a state of well being.”

I am sure it is not all I can do for our younger generations that reside in this nation but it is a practice for a time steeped in fear and lack of control. I am still praying for all beings everywhere to be happy and free but as Yogi Bhagan is quoted, "Prayer is talking to God, meditation is listening."

Sending you all friendliness, compassion, joy, and acceptance. See you on the mat so we can understand it all!

Namaste