Change Yourself, Change The World

Many are those who wish to change the world, few are those who wish to change themselves. And yet, true power comes from transforming ourselves and cultivating the ideal within. As we do, it will naturally flow out from us and transform the world around us - without us trying to change anything at all. As Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see.” We are the ideal that we seek. With practice, we gain control over the mind and the inner world. This is true strength.

This is a 20-minute talk and a 20-minute practice.

Transcript

I'd like to start with a quote by Rumi.

Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love.

It will not lead you astray.

Today,

I'd like to talk a bit about the concept of the ideal.

In essence,

We all have an ideal that we're here to bring forth into the world.

That ideal is born from love,

Because we are all born from love.

The act of creating is an act of love.

We are all a creation,

And we're all creators.

Deep down,

We all have this desire for an ideal.

An ideal is what gives us guidance.

It's our true north that helps us to continually move towards something.

Being human and having minds that act as a filter between our connection to that underlying oneness,

And existing as individual beings in the realm of duality,

Self and other.

Often,

This desire for an ideal,

Instead of being that which we're creating within ourselves and bringing into the world,

We try to force the world to become that which we want it to be.

We try to make the world into the ideal that we seek.

When in essence,

That ideal is within us,

And the more we allow that to come forth within us,

The more it will actually begin to influence the world around us.

I sometimes think that this is one of the fundamental struggles and paradoxes of being human.

Because we all feel this desire for this ideal,

An ideal state,

An ideal experience,

An ideal way of being,

An ideal experience,

An ideal way of being.

When we look out in the world around us,

It can be easy to not see that.

Then we try to change that which is around us to try to make it be that way.

When in essence,

What we need to change and work with is the inner world.

It's our perception that we need to shift and adjust our perspective.

It's whatever we put our intention into that we give power to.

We may think that when we criticize,

Whether it's some aspect of ourselves or somebody else or the world,

That that is going to change it.

But actually,

The more we criticize something,

The more strength we give it within our consciousness and within the consciousness of those around us.

How does the saying go in marketing and politics?

All publicity is good publicity.

Because anytime we draw attention to something,

We actually give it greater power.

Even if we're being critical of it.

When we fight against something that we don't want,

We actually strengthen it.

Instead,

What we can choose to do is gravitate towards that which we do want,

To bring more awareness to that which we want.

If we want greater peace in the world,

Then we have to cultivate a greater peacefulness within our own being.

This creative power is something that we all have.

Our creative power is greatest when it's rooted in love.

It can be easy to have fear,

To have anger,

To see injustice in the world.

And that's reasonable and understandable.

But if we allow ourselves to react from those places,

Most often it will not bring about that which we truly desire.

It takes great strength and courage to start to shift our focus to the things that we want.

To start to shift these patterns within us.

Because being human,

Being born into this world,

We have all experienced suffering.

We've all experienced different forms of trauma.

And that tends to condition the mind into places of fear and reactivity.

And for me,

That's a big part of the purpose of meditation and meditative practices.

It's to systematically decondition the mind.

To work with letting go of those habituated patterns.

And to find that place of peace,

Love,

Compassion and wisdom that is our natural state.

So that we can then create from that place and bring forth the ideal which we seek.

Because we always have access to it.

We are always able to break it forth.

But the tendency is that we will look for it in the world around us.

And be continually disappointed.

Which will then reinforce that tendency.

This is a shift from the outer world to the inner world.

For me,

This is part of the purpose of life.

Is to consciously bring forth that ideal.

And to share it with the world.

Not to impose it on the world.

But to allow it to flow out from within us.

And like water,

It'll ripple.

And it will have an effect.

It may not be immediate.

It may take years.

And some things will change in an instant.

And the more we understand this dynamic and the more we experience it and see its effect the easier it becomes for the mind to trust and to move towards it.

But at first,

It can sometimes feel like an act of blind faith.

Because it's so opposite to how we have often been.

And to what we see happening in the world.

And how people around us may act.

I really appreciate the quote from Gandhi.

Be the change you wish to see.

There is so much depth and wisdom in that.

With meditative practices,

We work with calming and focusing the faculty of the mind.

So that we can consciously direct it.

So that we aren't being battered about by our emotions,

By our thoughts,

By judgments,

By past traumas.

It's paradoxical and ironic.

But the more discipline we have with the mind,

The more we control our internal state.

The vaster and more powerful of an impact we have on the world.

With meditative practices,

With focusing the mind,

We gain greater power,

Greater strength,

Greater influence.

And with that,

We also have to be very mindful.

Because it can be easy to get drawn into that.

And to then see that we have greater influence.

And then we start trying to change things.

And so in this process,

It is of the utmost importance that we continually cultivate purity of intention.

That we continually check in and monitor the mind and the ego.

To see if we're starting to try to change things.

To make them be some certain way.

To check ourselves.

Ultimately,

This is a form of radical accountability.

Of taking complete accountability and responsibility for ourselves,

For our words,

For our actions,

For our thoughts.

For taking responsibility to become the ideal that we wish to see.

And as we do,

We find the fulfillment that we so deeply crave.

And we create the change that we so deeply crave.

But without trying to change anything at all.

Other than shifting our internal state.

As long as we try to create our ideal in the outer world,

We will always be unhappy.

It's only when we find our ideal in the inner world.

When we bring that forth,

We will find that deep and lasting happiness.

Regardless of what might be happening around us.

And yet,

It will start to influence what happens around us.

It will change the nature of our relationships.

Of how we relate to others.

It will allow us to find greater connection.

Greater peace.

Greater fulfillment.

It allows others the space to bring forth their own ideal.

Because we no longer feel that we need to all have the same ideal.

When we have an abstract conception of how others in the world should be.

It's very polarizing.

It creates greater divisiveness.

Because everybody is trying to impose a vision on the world.

When we take radical accountability for ourselves.

It frees us.

And it also frees others to be true to themselves.

Part of the journey of life is learning and growing.

It's not about all of us being some certain way.

We all have our own journey.

Our own path.

And our own unique beauty to share with this world.

It can be easy at times to believe that we have control over the world around us.

And that because we have control over the world around us.

We have a responsibility to change the world around us.

To make it be some certain way.

But ultimately this stems from fear.

And it's a delusion.

It's a collective delusion.

For many of us.

Because we don't have control over the world around us.

Over other people and external circumstances.

And the more we try to control others in the world.

The more we imprison ourselves.

You know yesterday was an extraordinarily windy day.

I heard in Winter Park.

There was a microburst of up to 110 miles per hour of wind.

It was the windiest on record.

And here in Telluride as well it was extremely windy and the whole house was shaking.

You know there's nothing like nature to prove to us that we do not have control.

And no matter how much we can delude ourselves into believing we have control.

All it takes is a huge gust of wind to blow down a billboard.

Or a hurricane.

Or an earthquake.

Some unfathomable thing that occurs that there was no way to prevent.

No way to control.

You know Marcus Aurelius in his meditations wrote that you have power over your mind.

Not outside events.

Realize this and you will find strength.

For as long as we try to control the world around us we are actually controlled by it.

It is when we learn to control our mind that we find that inner strength.

That gives us the fortitude and ability to stay true to ourselves.

To choose our internal state regardless of what is happening around us.

That gives us the strength to bring forth the ideal which we seek.

Which we crave.

That gives us the ability to affect our own experience.

And this is a truth that is found in various cultures and traditions around the world.

It's like a secret that's hidden in plain sight.

We have this power.

And it's been expressed in many different forms through many different words.

And this is a large part of the practice of meditation.

Is to consciously decide to cultivate that discipline.

That focus of the mind.

That then allows us to access all of our inner gifts.

All of our potential.

All of our strength.

Some of you may be able to hear the wind now in the background.

It's always there as a reminder for us.

The edge of our consciousness.

You do not have control over me.

As we move beyond being pushed and pulled by the vacillations of the mind.

By the vacillations of consciousness.

We naturally gravitate closer to experiencing ourselves as we are.

And the world as it is.

Beyond our stories and judgments.

Conditioned and habituated patterns of the mind.

We find our freedom.

We find our strength.

We find our ideal.

There are many paths to reach this inner world.

In some traditions they'll say that there are as many paths as there are stars in the sky.

Various meditative practices are simply one path.

But as the Rumi quote shared at the beginning,

Ultimately it's love.

As long as we are following what we truly love.

It will lead the way.

It will light the way.

It will show us our path.

And when we are led by love,

We naturally focus the mind.

You know they say love is blind.

And there's many aspects to that.

In one regard,

When we are in love,

We are blind to the faults of those we love.

But in another sense,

It blinds us because we don't see anything else but that which we love.

It draws our intention so completely that we have laser sharp focus.

And that leads us into a naturally meditative state.

When we aren't thinking about anything other than our ideal,

We begin to see our ideal in everything.

It overwhelms the mind.

And leads us to that place within.

And then it begins to manifest and ripple out from us.

So meditation as a practice isn't required.

It's not necessary.

But it can be a tool to help us get to that place.

We can also find it through music,

Through dancing,

Through being in nature.

There's never any one way that we should be.

And as long as we follow that which we are deeply passionate about,

That which we love,

Which is not coming from fear,

We will continually grow and unfold and bring forth that which is within us.

There's the wind again.

So,

If you will,

Please take a comfortable posture for meditation.

You can be lying down or sitting.

The most important thing is that you are stable and able to release any unnecessary tension from the body.

That there are no aches or pains that might be creating greater damage or harm.

If you are sitting,

You want to make sure that your knees are below your hips.

So that the fronts of the hips stay open,

No constricting of circulation.

Allow your torso to rise vertically with the natural curves of the spine.

Relaxing the shoulders back and down.

And begin to become aware of the natural movement of the breath.

The wind that we do have a degree of control and influence over.

Simply observing the movement of the breath as it is,

Whether it's long or short,

Choppy or smooth.

And with every exhalation,

Gently release any unnecessary tension or holding within the body.

If the mind starts to wander,

Gently guide it back to the flow of the breath.

And with every exhalation,

Gently guide it back to the flow of the breath.

And with every exhalation,

Gently guide it back to the flow of the breath.

Start to become even more fascinated by the breath.

Bringing your awareness closer to each moment,

Each movement of the breath.

Noticing the start of each inhalation,

Following it closely for the duration.

And noticing the moment when the inhalation ends,

The pause,

The very beginning of the exhalation.

Following it for the duration,

And the moment the exhalation ends,

And the pause.

And the moment the exhalation ends,

The very beginning of the exhalation.

And the moment the exhalation ends,

The very beginning of the exhalation.

If the mind wanders,

Gently guide it back to the breath.

And with every exhalation,

Gently guide it back to the flow of the breath.

Notice how the breath connects the inner and outer worlds.

Begin following the breath into your body.

Noticing the subtle sensations as it passes through the nose or the mouth.

Down the trachea,

Into the lungs.

And noticing the sensations in the body as you exhale.

And with every exhalation,

Gently guide it back to the flow of the breath.

And with every exhalation,

Gently guide it back to the flow of the breath.

Start to become aware of the stillness.

The stillness within.

Allow awareness of the breath to move to the background.

Become even more interested in the stillness.

Be aware of the subtle sensations as it passes through the body.

Allow yourself.

Allow yourself to surrender to the stillness within.

Now,

Start to become aware.

Be aware of a light within that stillness.

The light permeates throughout the stillness.

Throughout your body.

Feel your body as an intermingling of stillness and light.

The wind may blow.

Swirling.

Creating change in the world around us.

Yet we always have access to this stillness and light within.

Bring awareness back to the movement of the breath.

Notice if it has changed since the beginning of the practice.

Become aware of the felt sense of your body as a whole.

Feel the stability beneath you.

Supporting you and holding you up.

Become aware of the air and the space around you.

In which you are immersed like a fish in water.

And when you are ready,

Maintain a connection to the stillness,

Light,

Peace,

And strength within.

As you gently and slowly begin to open your eyes and take in the world around you.

Many are those who wish to change the world.

Few are those who wish to change themselves.

And yet,

The more control we have over our own state,

Over our internal world,

The more we allow ourselves to change,

The greater the influence we have on the world.

This does not mean we do nothing in the world.

What it means is that first and foremost,

We take responsibility for ourselves,

For our own internal state.

That we may act from a place of love,

From purity of intention,

From our own ideal.

That in so doing,

We may bring our ideal into the world.

Thank you all for joining me today.

Reviews

Thank you for your insight, thoughtful words and the truths you shared. Namaste

This talk and meditation made me remember another Rumi quote that I have hanging in my studio.
"Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise so I am going to change myself."
I loved the sound of the wind in the background. It was like the universe reminding us that we have a choice. We can either sit calmly and "let" the wind blow or we can, in futility, be stirred up with anger and fear by it.
Thank you Thomas, I will return to this meditation during those times when I feel myself being stirred up by the winds of life.
🙏🫶

Incredible session. Inspiring and compelling talk followed by a beautiful, soothing meditation. A much needed perspective shift, a perfect mind set to start the day with. Thank you!

Such a powerful session and reminder to let go of my habituated patterns and my desires for how the world should be - and bring my perspective back to my own inner landscape. The breath, my breath, centered space of stillness, light and strength. This was wonderful Thomas! Sooo relatable and helpful. And I loved the reminder of nature in the background. What a gift to use it as an example to focus not outwardly- but inwardly! Thank you 🙏🏼

Thank you for this talk and meditation Thomas. I want to learn how to live in love and not in fear; to change myself and not impose my will upon others. I have a long road ahead, but a start. Your talks are always like a five course meal... much to digest in delightfully complex layering yet packed with soul nutrition. With gratitude, chea. 🌻

Love this!! Wonderful talk/massage! Again - thank you, Thomas for sharing your wisedom with us! 🙏🏼

Thomas! Did I miss this one? Have been studying yoga sutra. This meditation echoed what I have been learning. Thank you as always.

Excellent talk!

I love the wisdom. What you said and quoted. Thanks for sharing

You managed to quote my most beautiful teachers / heroes in one meditation... Rumi, Hazrat Inayat Khan and Marcus Aurelius... wonderful makes my heart skip...
And while I listen it snowing outside and the world is so still & quiet... as am I, thank you. 🥰

You have power over our minds- not outside events. Realise this and you will find strength - Marcus Aurelius (121 – 180 AD)

Perfect message, Thomas. Thank you for pointing me in this direction.😌🙏

✨ Light & Stillness Meditation
Another engaging and powerful talk.
I love being introduced to the Sufi poets, Rabi’a I’ve now discovered through you, so educational your talks Thomas!
Also your talk and meditation lengths perfect for the start to my day (I’m an early riser) However, many TR talks are on repeat for a few days. Yes nature an ever present reminder of my fragility, I’m blessed to live by the Ocean & rurally so gaze at the stellar night skies in awe. I had flood waters through my home a few years ago which taught me what’s important too! I’m forwarding your talks to friends & women I sponsor, so grateful you are available online to listen to from the other side of our small blue world.
Have a beautiful day 🦋

I love and appreciate your much needed message. If I could l would broadcast it too the maligned youth of our planet. Peace 💕