Modernity is awash with good intentions; people support all manner of causes as they capture the collective imagination.
Few consider, though, the old adage of ‘good intentions pave the way to hell’ and fewer still believe it applies to them.
Why is it that we are drawn to cast judgment?
To pick up arms?
Why are we bothered with righting wrongs in the world?
The traditions of Yoga and Vedanta posit that a Saint need not wait for global peace for themselves to be at peace.
But is that us?
In life, we get a choice in who we take our inspiration from.
Do we choose to be inspired by activists and protesters who seem eternally restless about this cause or that, shifting their worry to the next thing in vogue and always pointing out the problems in the world?
Or do we take our inspiration from the great men and women who throughout history have shown us another way, that no matter the external situation, there is always open the path of inner peace?
The choice is ours and it has dire consequences for who we idolise, we become.
One such ‘idol’ for many is the Buddha, who observed that the root cause of suffering is ignorance.
If this is the case, the only thing that can displace the darkness of ignorance is the light of knowledge (Jnana).
At face value, this is a generic spiritual cliche akin to ‘be good, dont be bad.’
Duh. Obvious.
But have you actually tried to live a life governed by deeper spiritual values and principles?
Have you ever raised up a spiritual great like a Christ or a Buddha or a Goraknath and tried to live by their example?
It’s bloody hard.
The first thing that happens after you try in earnest is that you get a reflection of where you are not; you see the places you fall short.
This reflection can be rough, brutal even.In all manner of sneaky way, we can then seek to justify our transgressions on the path, and 99% of the time, it is by looking out and blaming the world.
All genuine spiritual paths posit a different avenue of enquiry; look within.
What have I done to bring about this circumstance?
What is God calling me to do in this moment?
To hate? To love? To speak? To stay quiet?
Only by tending mindfully to the present moment can we feel our inner guidance, a realm that has no formula nor script.
This is a place of responsiveness, a place of intuition.
The knowledge that we need to navigate any crisis is not the knowledge of what caused the issue to arise, but first and foremost who we are.
Centred in this atma-ghyan, or knowledge of the Soul, all else flows with grace.Blinded by our emotion, which may be a valid reaction to a tragedy, we can all too easily forget who and what we are.
For those that are yet to have cultivated self-knowledge, the situation is even more dire; they cling to their ignorance with the false belief that our emotions are the capital T Truth.
This leads to animosity, retribution and vengence and when guided by hate, we quickly find ourselves in the hell that our enemies wished upon us.
Anyone who has sat and watched their emotions can attest to the fact that they, in their nature, are transient; here one minute, and like the wind, next minute they are gone.
This is not to poo-poo emotions, they can certainly be an aide, a help, a guide insofar as they prompt us to introspect, to feel, and to look within.
Used right, they are a catalyst for the production of inner knowledge, and there is no greater knowledge than knowing one’s true nature.
Armed with self-knowledge, that I am a Soul, unblemished by any happening be it good bad or indifferent, we find a place of calm, of balance.
From here, one can proceed with ‘right action.’
For some, this will be to carry a flag and march for their cause, and for others a simple email to a local MP expressing their view, and for one upon the spiritual path, it will likely be to pray for peace in the humble quiet of dawn.
Upon the path of Hatha Yoga, as given by the Nath Sampradaya, one is guided to cultivate sensitivity in the mind / body / energy complex.
We do this through gesture (mudra,) positioning (asana) and mantra (mental recitation of sacred sounds).
How one fuses these activities together in a simple morning holy hour, sets up the energetic disposition towards the day.
It is the gymnasium for the attitude towards life, which sees no such division between yogic sadhana (‘practice’) and the activity of the day.
What I mean by this is that those who have dared to cultivate a little inner stillness and grace will invariably find themselves increasingly detached from sectarian and partisan narratives that politicians and media push, they will find themselves gentle but self-assured and centred not in the seat of vitriolic emotion, but the compassion, wisdom, grace and forgiveness of the Soul.
The dharma (life duty / path) of a warrior is to fight.
The great Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn posited that the greatest dharma of those that have seen the horror of war, no matter how small a glimpse, is to advocate for peace.
I am trying to live that (though faltering all too often.)Contrary to modern fluffy notions of peace, peace does not mean turning yourself into a doormat.
Peace has come about in my life when I learned to speak my truth which took the cultivation of a still mind, insight and courage.
These values emerged as a consequence of divine grace; it wasn’t the beatific vision, but a simple message to give myself the space to do nothing, and simply be.
This is the true form of dhyan (meditation); it is not another doing, or a method or technique, but a simple decision to allow oneself to abide, to rest, to be in their own nature, as one is.
If you are finding these to be troubling times, I implore you to give yourself permission to have that space.
As an Australian of Jewish ancestry, it has been my liferaft for the last few very testing and trying years.
Meditation is not sectarian; it works for you, and your enemies too (and think about it, who wouldn’t genuinely want a more peaceful enemy!)
At the Ashram we have seen a simple meditation practice help survivors of some of the worst trauma you can imagine to stay calm through the stormy seas of recovery and healing.
Meditation is not an escape from life, nor a tool to numb out like drugs or alcohol.Meditation has made me confront my inner demons, and to make peace with them not through denial or wishing my problems away, but by encouraging me to find love, see humour and feel understanding.
If you need a little guidance or a few pointers on how to set yourself up with a simple daily meditation practice, please feel free to join us on an upcoming retreat (we think the best place to learn or reboot a stagnant practice is 100% in person on a retreat).
Our retreats are now selling out a good few months in advance, so please make sure you register sooner rather than later if you feel the call to join us, as there is no sense in kicking the can down the road (trust us, it leads to more suffering!)
There is no greater gift to give to your loved one’s than a peaceful you, and the team at Kailash Ashram pray for your peace, prosperity and genuine wellbeing this Christmas; if you need to learn to show up a little brighter, it would be a joy to host you.
This nation was founded in, and is underpinned by thousands of years of Judeao-Christian values (to be unpacked in an email at a later stage!)
May the glowing light of Christ’s example illuminate the darkness of all of our minds, and may the triumphant spirit of Hanukkah and the love and wisdom of our Jewish community bless us to proceed in peace.
May our love and prayers radiate back to those Australians who are hurting right now, and may God’s grace help the Jewish community feel supported and loved.
We encourage you to share a small prayer for universal peace and for the liberation for suffering for all Souls.
As an Ashram sharing Indic culture and spiritual practice, we are thankful for the religious freedom, support and generosity that this nation has provided us and we are excited to share more love, meditation and traditional yoga with you all in 2026.
Om Namah Shivaya
Am Yisrael Chai
Merry Christmas
David & Raya
