How finding your donkey energy can set you free
A teaching from Sri Swami Nityananda Giri
A story of generosity
We focus on the story of Jesus as one of generosity, of giving of oneself to the whole for the greater good. Jesus is an example of giving of oneself to be here, to be kind, to elevate, to share, to forgive, to help people smile. Such giving occurs free from stress and strain, with natural strength such as a tree exudes as it unfurls bright new leaves.
Generosity is built into every cell of our body! Fifty billion times a day certain cells in our bodies give their lives for the good of the whole. This scientific process is called apoptosis. It means literally the falling off of leaves.
We breathe and our hearts beat and our blood courses through our veins because of this process. Wholeness and health happen because of this generosity, as cells give themselves to the whole.
If you can, thank your cells
You are alive as an example of sheer love, sheer self-giving, giving for the good of the whole. We can tune into the energy of generosity in our daily lives. This can be as simple as smiling when your annoying neighbor wants to talk to you and you don't really want to. Or your kid throws up on your shoes right when you have to go to work and it's stinky and you get to be a grownup and clean it up even if you don't want to.
It's choosing patience simply and naturally in every event of our lives, including with ourselves. Sometimes we are the ones who internally throw up and we wonder, what kind of mess did I just make? It stinks! When it's your own toxic stench that's being released inside yourself what do you do?
The quickest way forward
Instead of focusing on what you've done wrong, be respectful and responsive and free yourself of problem consciousness. Have courage to trust the Divine in us and the Divine in everyone. Many things come up in daily life. Address them without making them into a problem. Anytime you notice yourself going into a loop of offense or grievance, just say to yourself, "That's a loop and I'm going to stop going down that road."
Take full responsibility and focus on moving forward. When you come from respect and speak with respect you're not energizing recrimination and blame. Clarity speaks to clarity, calm speaks to calm, and there's an emphasis on forward movement.
Jesus asks for a donkey
Jesus asks his disciples right before the Last Supper to go quickly and find him a donkey. Whatever the Lord needs will be sent right away. Whatever is needed by the soul is provided. The ego, on the other hand, will always be in a perpetual kerfuffle. "Why can't I get this? Why do I have to do that?" Yogis tell us we all have within us donkey energy, obstructive, resistant energy. And the yogis also tell us that when we invite that energy to work with us rather than against us, it becomes the energy of steadiness, of perseverance, and forward movement.
Jesus rides the donkey into Jerusalem and he comes in peace. He has transformed his stubborn, obstructive, resistant energy. He is not wrestling with divine will.
“Yogis tell us we all have within us donkey energy, obstructive, resistant energy. And the yogis also tell us that when we invite that energy to work with us rather than against us, it becomes the energy of steadiness, of perseverance, and forward movement.”
That allows him to ride in silence through the crowds that are shouting their praise. He knows that these same crowds will soon be tormenting him.
Because he has transformed his stubbornness, his obstructiveness, which would hold him separate from divine will, he is able to be serene in the midst of the highest praise that humans can give. And he can be serene in the City of Peace amidst the worst taunting, the most vile mockery, the most outrageous violence.
Equanimity always, laziness never
A Tibetan mystic said, “May you enjoy the Great Equanimity, free from spiritual sloth.” Equanimity always, laziness never. Never let yourself let go of your practice, your devotion, your humility. Never let go of choosing the highest and the best.
Allow the mind to think calm, clear, luminous thoughts that are filled with pranic inspiration. Pranic energy helps connect you with the whole, the generosity that you are. Your very being, your entire body, is here because of generosity, because of the whole.
Everything the Divine needs is already here
We are placed by the Divine right now to contribute to that greater whole, to share generosity and positivity in our daily lives. And we get to do this 50 billion times a day!
Hosanna in the Highest! Absolutely everything that the Divine needs is already here. We’re inviting ourselves to draw that forth and to express gratitude and reverence, and joy at the way the Divine gives constantly through every single one of us, through every single being on the planet, through the trees and flowers, through the waters, the earth, the sky, all of life.
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If you are interested in learning more about how finding your donkey energy can set you free, there is a wealth of information available online about the teachings of yoga philosophy, Advaita Vedanta, and the mystical teachings of Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, Hinduism, and Judaism. You are also invited to discover these teachings through Awake Yoga Meditation’s offerings. Based on your interest in this article, you may also enjoy:
Taking our 40-day Yoga Meditation eCourse Embrace Gratitude, Love, and Bliss
Attending one of our live meditations on Tuesday, Friday, or Sunday
Joining our free eYogi Community
You are also always invited to schedule a private, personal, spiritual conference with Swami Nityananda whether you are completely new to the study of yoga philosophy and meditation or one who is seeking to deepen your practice.