Remembering Orlando - seeking compassion and care in the world
It is the Holy Month of Ramadan. All over the world Muslims - straight, gay, bi, lesbian, transgendered, young and old, of all skin colours and tongues are fasting and spending time in their communities to celebrate their faith, the wisdom of their scriptures, the abundance of nature and another year of life with family, loved ones and friends. Cape Town is a major Islamic centre - Ramadan is an annual event that brings much peace and celebration to our city.
Within this world there is also suffering - wars, poverty, climate instability, diseases and death - and in Orlando, Florida a very sick man with dangerous weapons went to The Pulse and killed innocent people- young people, having fun on a Sunday evening, dancing, laughing, falling in love, wondering about what life would bring for them. Many were Hispanic Americans - many had stories of survival, of self-acceptance, of challenges in dealing with family, school and work. And on a Sunday evening - perhaps as is habit, perhaps for the first time - they were in a nightclub where a man full of hate and anger - a man who should have been observing the fast, praying and understanding that all beings are created in God's image - according to the teachings of the Abrahamic faiths - instead this man came to kill people he did not even know.
Naked yoga may sound very strange to you. It may sound sinful - it may even make you angry and violent. Naked yoga is an ancient practice - around long before Jesus or the other Abrahamic prophets - before Abraham / Ibrahim himself (born in what is now southern Turkey). We practice naked yoga to be honest, to be harmless, to be more loving with ourselves and accepting of others. In doing this we become aware that the body ages, that it has limitations, illnesses - as Christopher Leinonen's mother said: We are here for such a short time. In front of the national television she wept speaking of her fear that her son had been killed - which he had- and then she remembered how heroic and wonderful this boy was - how as a high school student he won a prize for bringing straight and gay people together, to understand one another. This young man who died that night - he understood the deepest teachings of the scriptures, the secret of the universe - that life is sacred and it is precious - whether you are a believer, a yogi or just an ordinary person trying to survive - you know in your heart that love heals the world and hatred has never brought good or solved any problems. This is at the very heart of yoga - so whether you practice, or whether you do not- somehow we are all naked yogis, we are all young gay and lesbian Latinos, Syrian refugees, French people in a cafe on a warm Autumn evening - we are all sacred, precious and should not be harmed.
To the families and loved ones, the neighbours, friends and colleagues of those who died in Orlando; to those who live in fear of violence, to those who want to live according to their own understanding of what is wholesome, authentic and kind - we extend our loving kindness and compassion to you. May in your terrible grief and loss, may you also find love, light, inspiration and courage. May you turn away from any hatred and shape the world with your loving energy.
Within this world there is also suffering - wars, poverty, climate instability, diseases and death - and in Orlando, Florida a very sick man with dangerous weapons went to The Pulse and killed innocent people- young people, having fun on a Sunday evening, dancing, laughing, falling in love, wondering about what life would bring for them. Many were Hispanic Americans - many had stories of survival, of self-acceptance, of challenges in dealing with family, school and work. And on a Sunday evening - perhaps as is habit, perhaps for the first time - they were in a nightclub where a man full of hate and anger - a man who should have been observing the fast, praying and understanding that all beings are created in God's image - according to the teachings of the Abrahamic faiths - instead this man came to kill people he did not even know.
Naked yoga may sound very strange to you. It may sound sinful - it may even make you angry and violent. Naked yoga is an ancient practice - around long before Jesus or the other Abrahamic prophets - before Abraham / Ibrahim himself (born in what is now southern Turkey). We practice naked yoga to be honest, to be harmless, to be more loving with ourselves and accepting of others. In doing this we become aware that the body ages, that it has limitations, illnesses - as Christopher Leinonen's mother said: We are here for such a short time. In front of the national television she wept speaking of her fear that her son had been killed - which he had- and then she remembered how heroic and wonderful this boy was - how as a high school student he won a prize for bringing straight and gay people together, to understand one another. This young man who died that night - he understood the deepest teachings of the scriptures, the secret of the universe - that life is sacred and it is precious - whether you are a believer, a yogi or just an ordinary person trying to survive - you know in your heart that love heals the world and hatred has never brought good or solved any problems. This is at the very heart of yoga - so whether you practice, or whether you do not- somehow we are all naked yogis, we are all young gay and lesbian Latinos, Syrian refugees, French people in a cafe on a warm Autumn evening - we are all sacred, precious and should not be harmed.To the families and loved ones, the neighbours, friends and colleagues of those who died in Orlando; to those who live in fear of violence, to those who want to live according to their own understanding of what is wholesome, authentic and kind - we extend our loving kindness and compassion to you. May in your terrible grief and loss, may you also find love, light, inspiration and courage. May you turn away from any hatred and shape the world with your loving energy.
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