Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu
Lokah means location. Sama means same. Stah means standing. Sukh means the sweet point. Ino means being centered in. Bhav means Divine mood. Antu means may it be so. Because we say we want everyone to be centered in sweetness and Divinity, then we will do what we can and everything that we can for it to happen. In Jivamukti, there is a version of this mantra we chant that has a commentary on how we are going to do it.
Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu
Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu
Make me an instrument for thy will
Not mine but thine be done
Free me from anger, jealousy, and fear
Fill my heart with joy and compassion
This version combines the Christian influence of St. Francis. We are reminded that to fulfill our purpose, we need to remember that we are instruments. It does not matter if you are asking God to be an instrument or you are asking G.O.D.- give your own definition- to be an instrument. The intent is that we are able to let go of our selfish tendencies. When we are successful, we don't let our egos take over and become arrogant or abuse our power. When we are unsuccessful, we don't succumb to despair or hopelessness and give up. Whatever results from our actions, we are able to stand on steady ground because we know we are instruments. We are fueled by relentless joy and radical compassion. We go far and beyond the measures of joy and compassion that is considered "normal" in our society. We don't put stops or borders or conditions to them. We don't have quotas on them. That is what it means to be an instrument, that we keep playing the music of love in its many tunes and expressions.
Being a Jivamukti yoga practitioner, we are taught that we have one foot in and one foot out. We are at once activists and spiritual seekers.
On one hand, we are active in changing the world outside of us, by speaking our truth, standing up for others, promoting oneness, being kind to all beings including animals and the Earth. On the other hand, we are committed to our journey inwards so we may be able to liberate ourselves from all suffering.
Taking on the dual roles does not mean we have to be "perfect". We can serve as effective instruments even as we go through our journey. We become instruments not only despite our imperfections, but through our imperfections. We have all made mistakes and hurt others. But we cannot be so self-centered as to withhold forgiveness from ourselves. Even the Buddha, before he became the Buddha, hurt others. He abandoned his family. He wasn't exactly husband of the year. If we want to be effective instruments, we have got to let it go. Self-reproach will not serve. Conscious present actions do.
Being an instrument is an acknowledgement that we are one player in this vast universe. We seem small when we put into context that we are a mere dot in this planet that is a small dot in this galaxy, and yet we could be big in the lives of those around us. Our thoughts, words, and actions are big. They are instruments for positive change, for love, for peace, for joy, for compassion.
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