Originally recorded: 2020/05/20
… For us to grow in generosity of spirit we have to undergo, in some way, what Nelson Mandela had to undergo. We have to be refined. We have to refine our almost natural response to resist what’s happening.
Ram Dass shared these words from an Indian sage, “Light your incense, ring your bells, call out to the Gods, but Watch out! For the Gods will come and they will fire up the forge and put you on the anvil and beat you and beat you until they turn brass into pure gold.” This is the refinement that Mandela underwent. This is the refinement for us all….
So like in Nelson Mandela’s case, when you are imprisoned, it’s normal to experience great difficulties. But these experiences can, with the right way of thinking, lead to great inner strength.
When we can go into our wounds, sometimes we return with precious gifts. We might find something that might heal that wound; or we might find something that will give us resonance with other people’s wounds….