Words of Power: Not An Illusion

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Not An Illusion

Titian - Mary Magdalene (1530)

The suffering of the world is not an illusion to be shattered; it is not some problem that simply requires a more positive attitude.

Nor is it something that can be addressed with wishful thinking.

The suffering of the world, e.g., that of Tibet and Darfur, is a call to action, even if for you that action is simply, silently, inwardly, breathing in peace and breathing out compassion.

You must determine for yourself how to respond to the suffering of the world. For everyone it is different, for everyone it is personal.

You must respond, but not with erroneous metaphysical doctrines and false detachment.

True detachment from the suffering of the world is entering into it, with eyes open, with heart engaged, and with unwavering love and indomitable courage.

True detachment is NEVER turning away; indeed, true detachment is the refusal to look away. True detachment also the refusal to be overcome by despair.

True detachment is utter engagement; utter engagement is true detachment.

You are only truly free when you realize that the imprisonment of your brother and sister beings is your own, and that you are never free until all are free; and in THAT MOMENT, all are free WORLD WITHOUT END. Live large!

-- Richard Power

Richard Power's latest book, Humanifesto: A Guide to Primal Reality in an Era of Global Peril is available now in soft cover and Kindle versions, from Amazon and elsewhere.

About Richard Power

Richard Power is a writer, speaker and yoga teacher. He offers workshops, classes and private instruction in yoga and meditation. He is the author of 14 books, most important are Wyrds of Power: New Languagee for A New Reality (2017), I, the Dragon: Chronicles of An Epic Life Among the Humans (2018), and Secret Engine of the World: Further Notes on Primal Reality, Gaian Politics & the Arc of Human Evolution (2021). For more information on all of Power's other books, visit his author's page on Amazon.com.

For much of his life, Power worked in the fields of security and intelligence. He delivered briefings and led training in forty countries, and was an adviser to governments and corporations. His views have been featured in interviews on CNN, PBS, NPR and the BBC, and quoted in mainstream news media, including Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Reuters and Associated Press.

This blog explores new language for the truths of the ancient future, and reflects insights into Vajrayana Buddha Dharma, Kashmir Shiva-Sakti philosophy, Hatha and Tantra Yoga, the Shamanic path, and other aspects of the world's collective mystical heritage. It also offers commentary on art, music, literature, human rights, sustainability, independent journalism, economic justice and the Climate Crisis.