03/02/2025
(Photo Credit: Felix Mittermeier)
Root Awakening....
"Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity."
(From the poem "The Second Coming," by W.B. Yeats, 1919)
"Any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one."
(Sam Rayburn, 1882 – 1961, U.S. Congressman from 1913 – 1961)
We live in chaotic times. Each day, the news brings stories of political norms being upended here and the U.S. and the changes are having profound ripples in the rest of the world.
What might not be so obvious in Washington these days, but would be more recognizable in many spiritual traditions is this: Whether as individuals or en masse, life throws unexpected challenges in our path. Sometimes this shows up as a dramatic illness, a relationship ending, or even an accident. Collectively, it may seem like the whole world is teetering on the edge of collapse.
When there are great difficulties looming–whether for us as individuals, but especially if they seem pervasive to how we are living–it’s all the more reason to take a hint from nature and root ourselves more deeply.
What do I mean by that? Creating deeper roots means to have a regular practice of stepping back from media and devices and cultivating a deeper connection to others, the natural world, and ultimately the great mystery of life.
We live in a hyper-active, mind-oriented culture and it makes us unduly anxious and unhappy. This is true even in the best of times, but is especially so as the world is grappling with so much chaos. Regular practices to calm our over-active minds include meditation and mindfulness exercises, being in nature, yoga, and any form of creative outlet. Doing any of these activities with others is particularly beneficial. Beyond that, spending in-person time with others and having the opportunity to share about what matters to you is particularly grounding or deeply rooting.
Best of all is finding a spiritual community that resonates with you. That could be in the form of the tradition in which you were raised, or it might look entirely different from your upbringing. In my case, I discovered that although I was raised Jewish, I had a deep soul connection to the Wixárika (Huichol) tradition from Mexico. I have been taught that we each have a tradition that really ‘fits’ us. It can take time and exploration to find that tradition, but once you do, you’ll experience a kind of home-coming: You have a ‘safe harbor’ from the great trials of life. In the process, you’ll gain specific practices (prayer, meditation, etc.) that align with your deepest nature and help you maintain some sense of sanity as you face the storms.
Ultimately, rooting deeper is about reaching beyond the concerns and worries of our minds, to the felt experience of life that we experience as ‘heart.’ That’s the part of human nature that can obscured by our restless minds, but is always in the background: feeling innately connected to the web of life around us. Through heart and spirit, we discover a remarkable resilience that we never ‘thought’ we had. It’s the kind of resilience that allowed our ancestors to survive incredible difficulties.
We don’t root ourselves more deeply to completely withdraw and pretend that hard things are not happening in our lives or the world at large. It’s not about escapism. On the contrary, we dig deeper to root ourselves better, so that whatever tempest is brewing around us does not undo us. We may be buffeted, but we are not bowled over. We have the strength and equanimity to think more clearly and find ways to help others: our loved ones, friends, and our communities.
Life is not always easy. But if we root ourselves more deeply, we can find the fortitude to push on and be of benefit to others. It’s a time that may bring out the worst in some, but it can bring out the best in us: A life lived courageously, compassionately, thoughtfully. That’s a life worth living–whatever challenges may come our way.
