There’s a book of Rumi poetry entitled “Unseen Rain”, referring to an imperceptible grace that is always flowing towards us – we have only to cup our hands and open our hearts to receive it. It is with this intention to set aside our personal preferences and humbly quiet the mind, that we chose to practice Opening to Grace for the month of April.

Although Arjuna, a character in the Bhagavad Gita, was considered a masterful warrior, he was paralyzed when his mind was clouded with doubt and sorrow. He was only able to regain his power when he recognized his confusion, admitted his helplessness and opened himself to be guided. The Buddha resolved to be still until all the movement in the mind ceased and he experienced the universal consciousness that is the ground of all being. Though in different ways, they both opened themselves to the infinite source of wisdom that lies within and around us all.

Opening to Grace can be a challenge in a culture in which we are trained in many subtle ways to be confident, to know the answers, to be successful. It requires a sincere willingness to acknowledge the limitations of the mind and all that we know. We must be ready to accept a Higher Will that is invested in the well-being of everyone.

This form of acceptance does not mean resignation nor indicates a lack of ability. On the contrary, it links us to a deeper source of inner stability and frees us from dependence on outside events or achievements. When I let go of the desire to make things go my way, to look good or be right, and act instead with compassion for others, I’m left with peace in my heart instead of a feather in my cap.

We can easily practice this by noticing whenever anxiety arises over what we want to get or how we are being seen. Can we relax into the flow of what is needed in this moment or are we resisting what life is calling for by holding onto our vision of how things “should” be?

This intention to cease being governed by the me-centered ego mind, inevitably lands us on a deeper ground of being where we are connected to the whole of life. When we practice this as a community, we support each other in letting go of the relentless wanting in the mind and allow ourselves to be instruments of a much greater power and wisdom. One Buddha changed the world.

There is no controlling life.
Try corralling a lightening bolt,
containing a tornado. Dam a
stream, and it will create a new
channel. Resist, and the tide
will sweep you off your feet.
Allow, and grace will carry
you to higher ground. The only
safety lies in letting it all in —
the wild with the weak; fear,
fantasies, failures and success.
When loss rips off the doors of
the heart, or sadness veils your
vision with despair, practice
becomes simply bearing the truth.
In the choice to let go of your
known way of being, the whole
world is revealed to your new eyes