Evelyn Anglim, a gifted psychotherapist and an exquisitely
beautiful soul, passed from this world two weeks ago. I didn’t know her well,
but was touched by the shining light of her spirit and know, without doubt,
that that light lives on. It lives, among other ways, in words that embodied her
approach to this yin~yang world of ours, words that can guide us now. “Choose
only love,” Evelyn urges us. “That’s why we’re here.”
Choose only love. These words resonate deep within me and
reverberate across our wounded nation, extending further to wrap the entire
planet in a warm embrace. Many good~hearted people are struggling now. As the crudest
qualities of the human psyche play out on the national stage, a mix of feelings
rise up~~paralyzing fear, dark despair, a maddened rage.
How DO we choose love and only love within such a climate? As
beings committed to a spiritual view, what IS a skillful and worthy response to
hate? These are questions that have been asked across the ages,
questions we must ask ourselves anew, now and repeatedly as we move into an
unfolding future. And we must trust that answers will arise. This morning,
these are the ones that come to me.
Choosing love means first honoring our own reactions to what
is occurring. Turning away from pain does nothing but allow it to seep into our
souls unobserved, dampening our light.
Fear is the emotion that gives rise to hate, and choosing
love requires us to continually transform our own fear as a necessary step in finding a constructive response to the outer turmoil for, as Einstein put it, “No problem can be solved from the same
level of consciousness that created it.”
This sentiment encourages us to zoom
out. Fear is myopic. What we need now is a larger vision, the
long view of the human story, one that recognizes and participates in the
evolution of consciousness underway.
We see now but a snippet of a much greater narrative, one
that includes all that is miraculous in the human spirit as well. We are more,
far more, than our baser impulses. Choosing love means remembering this. Of course we must also
act, but always with humankind’s highest potential in our minds and hearts,
held there by a fierce tenderness. Evelyn urges us to choose love, but she does not mean a trite
or saccharine love. No, our love must be full~bodied, large enough to hold both
our darkness and our light.
If you would like to join with others to find a way to live
through these challenging times with souls intact, engaged, and shining, please
contact me at silvermountain@mac.com. I will put something together and be in
touch soon.
We can, indeed, choose only love. Even now. Especially now.
It is, after all, why we’re here.
Blessings on us all during this time of transformation. And blessings on you, dear Evelyn, wherever you now reside.
In love and great gratitude,
Leia Marie
NOTE: Please make sure you see John Anglim's comment (Evelyn's brother) below. An essential addition!
NOTE: Please make sure you see John Anglim's comment (Evelyn's brother) below. An essential addition!
8 comments:
Leia Marie, as always you speak beautifully to current events. And, as always, you manage to touch my heart. Thank you. I accept your invitation!
And I suspect your heart is open and easily touched! Thank you for your kind words. But know that if you'd like to be included in whatever winds up happening, you'll also need to email me at the address in the column, as your contact info doesn't come through when you comment on the blog itself. So...hope to get an email, giving me at least your first name and contact info.
Leia, your understanding of Evelyn's message is right on. Anyone who knew my dear sister, knows that she would love your interpretation and how eloquently you put it into words. Thanks for thinking and writing about it so beautifully. I might add that Evelyn would also understand that we "choose only love" as best we can, and that sometimes we fall short. When we do, we come right back and choose love and forgiveness for ourselves. And try again. Thanks, Leia!
Thank you, John, for this very important addition. Good to remember...we simply do as best we can, realizing it's all learning and that that, too, is "why we're here."
A wonderful woman, your sister was. May her love surround you as you become accustomed to the lack of her physical presence in your world.
First of all we must love ourselves and then we can love others.
Thank you for loving all of us, as I feel you do.
Aw, what a sweet comment! I think when we step into the stream of love, love DOES flow through us and out. I learn so much as I write these essays. They pull me down into whatever subject I'm writing about and I come out the other side with something new, something I wouldn't have known in quite the same way if I hadn't written. And would I put the kind of time I do into writing if you weren't there to read them? I'm sure not! So the love is Love flowing through AND it's a personal love as well, for I am grateful for your presence out there, even tho I can't see you. Thank you for noticing.
And you are right, if we are to choose love, it starts right here, right now, with ourselves. Love FEELS so much better, doesn't it?
Thank you for reading and for writing!
This is exactly the focus that is needed in the current national environment. I’d like to share a poem I recently wrote related to this challenge entitled Humble Journey~~
My certainty is tattered and torn,
shredded beyond recognition
It is frightening, though inevitable,
to dismantle the platform
that gave a view of the world,
that allowed surety of
purpose and action.
The world is as it is!
Bedeviled by its shocking
unfairness and cruelty,
graced by its generosity
and indescribable beauty,
reluctant acceptance
humbles me,
leaving only the choice
of attitude and action
in a given moment.
I choose forgiveness and
loving-kindness.
Thank you, Ann. Cruelty and beauty. Yes, that is this world. May we be humbled and healed on our journey through it.
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