Within the storm
This week I am in my beloved Nova Scotia, facing down Hurricane Lee. My family has been through many a hurricane here, and I remember the resigned and almost casual pragmatism that has been the typical response. In the era of climate change, there is more uncertainty, and this part of the world has already experienced shocking weather this year with raging fires followed by flooding this spring, like so many places. So there is a different flavour of anxiety in that uncertainty, as this big storm slowly advances, pushing waves of torrential, warm rain. It’s not the vision I had in mind for this journey — I anticipated the bluest blue skies and seas, as I remember them, that unique maritime blue. And yet, this grey, unpredictable time of low visibility is also familiar, also workable, also full of its own beauty. The air is warm, the wind strong now, and there are big beautiful waves at the shoreline to observe. It is exhilarating to be IN IT, after days of anticipation.
The weather is like the benevolent and terrifying deities I visualized under the guidance of Anam Thubten in a bardo retreat a few weeks ago — the deities are archetypes of our own true nature, archetypes of consciousness: benevolent and terrible both. I find it helpful to petition these archetypes, offer good will and a sense of prayer when fear and exhilaration arise, to hold gratitude for this rich life of experience, every glimpse of its fullness, and every taste of equanimity and ease.
The real world — storms — in our experience of place, in relation with others — offers countless opportunities to awaken.
