Yoga and the Art of Touching Hatred

Our collective lights may start out separated, but ultimately they seem to merge.

This past month we commemorated the events of 9/11. I found it interesting to learn that 25% of Americans have been born after 9/11/2001. For the other 75% of us, it’s so vital that we do our best not to forget the experience of that day. For me, it’s practically seared into my DNA, as I recall witnessing the horror out my 27th floor window, 4 miles south of me. I won’t ever forget when I woke up that morning of first seeing the profound beauty of that beautiful fall-like NYC day, and then soon realizing that something wasn’t quite right. 

The Buddha taught:

‎"Hatred is never ended by hatred - but by love [this is an eternal rule]"

I know we all know this. But to practice healing hatred with love is, in fact, not easy to do. Just try sending love to that person who refuses to wear a mask on the subway and you’ll know what I mean! All kidding aside, though, I think the trick is to first try to touch your hatred – allow for the feeling of hatred to arise within and to touch every fiber of your body – and then being still and noticing the breath.

The Buddhist meditation teacher Thich Nhat Hanh taught:

“Even when you see a lot of violence, discrimination, hatred and craving, if you are equipped with understanding and compassion, you don’t suffer.” 

We are certainly seeing a lot of violence, discrimination, hatred and craving in the outer world. Witness Afghanistan, the anti-maskers, and domestic white nationalism, to name three current situations. Most of us are likely challenged to have compassion and understanding for the perpetrators of the harm. But the starting point lies within. If we’re honest with ourselves, we can bear witness to the violence and hatred we aim towards our own selves at times, and the cravings within that sometimes gets the better of us. Yoga and meditation can help us to bear witness to the arising of these feelings. Transforming these feelings into understanding and compassion for ourselves is our goal. Yoga postures like savasana and sukhasana can be very helpful in this regard.

I know that managing our hatred is not an easy thing to do. As your yoga and meditation practices mature, I hope that they can give you the courage to touch the feelings more often and over time – perhaps lifetimes – turn them into something useful for all of us.

May you be happy, …
May you be healthy, …
May you touch your hatred within, … 
May you sit still long enough for it to be transformed it into understanding and compassion, …
May you NEVER forget, … 
For the benefit of ALL beings everywhere.

Aloha, with Metta,
Paul Keoni Chun

Nature healing.