This work requires effort
But it is not a burden; it is an offering...
In this moment—when we look around at the world, from global disasters to the rise of political distrust and the shadow of genocide and fascism—it feels like we are holding our breath, suspended in a collective state of uncertainty. We are facing systems that seem so deeply embedded in our lives that they are hard to untangle. There is so much suffering—out there and in here—within our hearts, minds, and bodies. And yet, despite the noise of external forces, many of us are struggling to trust ourselves. We don’t know how to feel into our emotions. We have been taught to dismiss our intuition, and in doing so, we distance ourselves from the very essence of our being.
But if we cannot feel into our freedom—if we do not know what it means to be free, embodied and whole, in the deepest parts of ourselves—how can we create a world that reflects this freedom for all beings? Freedom, true freedom, is not simply the absence of oppression. It is the presence of peace, joy, and samadhi in every breath, every heartbeat, every step we take. It is the knowing that we are whole, and we are enough, just as we are.
This knowing is not just for us—it is for all of us. And it is urgent, it is critical, that we begin to uncover this truth within ourselves now. We need to reclaim it within our hearts, so we can nurture it out into the world. We need to embody freedom because the default culture—the dominant narratives of judgment, ego, and hierarchy—keeps us trapped in a cycle of separation. It tells us that some are above and others are below. It fills our minds with ideas of competition, scarcity, and comparison. And we begin to believe that this is our reality. But it is not. It is a distortion, a lie.
To live in alignment with our truest selves, we must dismantle these systems—both the ones outside of us and the ones we have internalized. This is the work of a spiritual warrior, as described in the Bhagavad Gita: "No effort on this path goes wasted; even a little bit is enough to shelter us from great sorrow." As spiritual warriors, we are not passive observers of the chaos around us. We are active participants in the reclamation of our own sovereignty, of our own truth, and of the collective well-being. We must be willing to do the hard work, the inner work, to create the space for healing and for the birthright of freedom to rise.
This work requires effort. But it is not a burden; it is an offering. The effort we put in, no matter how small it feels, is never wasted. It is a ripple that touches everything around us. Each step we take towards dismantling the systems that oppress us brings us closer to a world without tension, without violence, without cruelty. A world where we all stand accountable to one another, aware of our shared humanity, and open to the possibility of true connection.
This is not easy work. The world is telling us to be afraid, to be divided. But the path of the spiritual warrior is the path of love, compassion, and grace. It is the path that chooses peace, even when the world around us feels chaotic. And the time to walk this path is now. We cannot wait for a better moment. The moment is here. Every act of liberation, every moment of alignment with truth, is a step towards the peace we all deserve. Every moment of trust, of listening to our hearts, of choosing love—this is the work. This is the revolution.
We are called to rise. We are called to walk this path, together.
Questions:
What work are you willing to give to this now? internal and external?
What is it that you will offer our world? ourselves? each other?
A Prayer for All:
In this moment, we lift our hearts and minds in prayer for all those experiencing devastation, division, and disaster around the world. For those in California engulfed in flames, for those in Gaza enduring genocide and terror, for those whose needs go unmet, whose voices are silenced, whose lives are threatened—may they feel the collective love of the world surrounding them, may they find moments of peace amidst the chaos, and may they know their inherent worthiness and humanity.
We pray that we, too, can wake up. That we can awaken to the shared suffering of our fellow beings, to the deep interconnection that binds us all. May we use this collective trauma, this shared pain, as a mirror to reflect back to ourselves just how deeply bound we are to one another, how we are all in this together.
May we rise, together, in the spirit of love, liberation, and compassion. And may our hearts be the light that leads us through the darkness. So it is. So we are.
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Thank you for being here, for your presence, and for exploring healing, connection, and care with me—exactly as you are. Whether you’re here as a free or paid subscriber, your presence is a gift, and I am so grateful to be on this journey with you.
