Let It Be (September 2020 Newsletter)

From the Beatles came the famous lyrics of ‘Let it Be’:

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the broken-hearted people living in the world agree

There will be an answer, let it be

For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see

There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me

Shine until tomorrow, let it be

I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be

There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Yoga in India has developed over thousands of years, and one of the oldest concepts in the ancient Advaita tradition is that of Ishta devata. You might describe this as your preferred deity. Advaita philosophy is the concept of non-dualism describing a spiritual pathway for our way forward towards liberation from suffering, death and rebirth without isolating ourselves as ‘I and you,’ ‘me and God’, ‘the self and other’. Everything is one stream of consciousness, be it clear or muddy. It expects no belief system from you.

It is too difficult with our limited experience and perception to actually connect with the Spirit and God. What is That? The concept of Ishta Devata is one that is helpful in our daily attempts to make this connection with this Unknown. It is our chosen deity, to which we can ascribe a shape, a form, a face that we then daily brings to mind; not only daily but even moment to moment. It is a simple idea that since we have no idea what this Universal Energy we call God looks like, we choose a shape and form such as ‘Mother Mary’, or in the Indian pantheon some deity whose qualities especially serve our needs. Constantly, or as often as possible, lovingly and with deference reach out to this Istha devata, visualize His/Her shape starting from toe to top. Create a clear picture and focus on this image that you have created in your mind. Invite your devata into your presence. Will your devata into your presence. Simply that. No thoughts. Simply holding on to that form and inviting it into your presence.

John Lennon/Paul McCartney and the Beatles had it right!

Namaste,

sipra