This last 6 months have been pretty full spectrum for me. I got laid off from my job the first days of October, which felt like a blessing, even in the uncertainty. It was right at the start of Navaratri, something I take seriously and give my all too. I had the space to fast, be in nature, and immerse myself in my own consciousness and the higher vibrations of life.
I had a lot of time the following months to just be, which I haven’t had in the last 5 years being a university student, working, and the many other things I do on a regular basis to hone my being.
Right after Christmas I got some news that completely shattered the old dream. It was one of the most difficult things I’ve had to deal with, and I have had my share of really challenging life situations that were completely out of my control, beginning at a very young age.
This time I considered walking away from everything that has rescued me from myself, again and again, and given me the tools to stop requiring rescuing from some outside force. My best friends, who are my family, my sangha, my teachers, my life, really.
First I went into this high orb of love and I could see the blessings and the beauty. But, that wore off and I wanted nothing to do with things that bring me joy, connection, and rejuvenation.
I knew though, deep inside, that the only true way forward was through, and not away. Thank God for my amazing friends and teachers, who continued to reflect love and purity to me.
I am so grateful for my stubbornness and ferocious adherence to a life of discipline and service to a higher power than myself.
I kept on keeping on, my faith did not leave, but was tested, and in fact grew stronger by multitudes. I will keep on keeping on because I know there is no other way.
We don’t know what’s going to happen or when. Nothing is guaranteed, not even our next breath.
All we can do is keep ourselves sharp, and prepared to the best of our ability: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
The world is chaos, and the overriding noise on constant repeat is utter illusion. Fortunately more and more people are waking up to see it.
Our birthright is joy, our essence is love. The greatest scientific minds of our age and beyond have almost all come to the conclusion that there is no other option than an intelligent creator for this masterful creation. I don’t need anyone to tell me. My own experience over my short life is enough to believe beyond my human capacity that there is a God and I am intimately connected with He/She and so is everything and everyone around me, whether or not they are aware of it.
Baking, baking, baked. We just keep doing the things that wisdom knows is right. Even if the mind is putting up a fight. Sometimes it makes no sense, but the silent voice of integrity’s whisper is always there.
Pain is inevitable, but suffering is most certainly optional. For myself, at times, it has been necessary to suffer until it becomes too much and I must alter something. But what? Grow my heart big enough to hold it all.
I see, again and again, that reality comes, to a large degree, from our own minds. This is talked about by many masters and it’s all theoretical until we experience it for ourselves.
So we’re baking, so to speak: baking, cooking, going through the motions. Suddenly, a timer goes off and we have something completely different than what went in the oven.
And just like that, everything is moving again, my heart is expanded and I feel as though life is carrying me and I just have to show up, rather than lifting this heavy resistance forward into things I have no desire to do! Like get out of bed… We’ve all been there.
The challenges are precious gems, springboards, launching pads, they create the foundation for all the gifts, relationships, knowings, strength, and fortitude that I have. All that I know and love, could not be relished so deeply without them.
I am really happy with who I am. I experience a vast richness in all my relationships, especially with myself. I have lots of fun each day and find myself laughing heartily many times throughout. I have many treasures beyond the material and the most precious ones are the relationships.
I have been so fortunate to stumble upon streams of ancient wisdom that have carried many before me and will carry many after this emanation of me is gone.
The only way to repay this great gift is to carry the streams, and let all who are interested in drinking drink.
And if appropriate, show them how to use the ladle, how best to savor the flavor, and optimize how it integrates into the body/mind/spirit.
I love metaphor.
I know I can face what may come, I know my love is stronger than all that may try to trick me otherwise. I know I am loved, valued, and have the capacity to make any situation I am involved in more beautiful.
I am Ian Via, I love to love, I love to ride the edge of intensity in the fire of life. I love the fire! And I love the water, she’s so sweet, and refreshing.
Sometimes I don’t know how to even express the gratitude I have, and I feel I must, because it is gushing within me.
It’s a ripping, roaring time in the world, for sure.
Let go. So simple. not so easy at times.
This is my newest discipline. Let go.
I wake up in the morning with a thought? Let go.
A weird interaction during the day? Let go.
An amazing new connection that lights my heart on fire? Let go!
I don’t need to cling to anything, and life is more vibrant because of it.
Some things last and others don’t.
Here I am, forever.
No one else can live my life.
Praise God!
And I want to have as much fun as possible while relentlessly augmenting the inner and outer realms, which are intimately entwined, for the betterment of all life. ❤️🔥 🔱 🫡
Ian Via
