Everything Happens for a Reason

Everything happens for a reason. Everything happens for the best. Everything happens for our own upliftment. This is a cornerstone teaching of yoga. But how can that be in a world where so much seems so wrong? We know the facts: we are born, we learn and grow, we enjoy much and sometimes suffer much, we create worlds and destroy them, we experience life with others and much time alone, we watch as the world seems to fall a part at times and then as it all comes together such as after September 11th. Doors open and they close; people are cherished and hurt. We experience both health and disease. One day these bodies die. The yogis say that the purpose of life is to know God and to serve. We experience karmic lessons to take us deeper and closer to this purpose. Sometimes these lessons are very painful. Pain can be a very effective tool for our learning. By facing the pain, our hearts can be transformed toward a more loving, giving, responsible, patient, selfless, and compassionate state. No one said it would be easy. Can you see in your own life that everything did/does happen for a reason? Your life experiences helped to bring you closer to God, to your own healing, to your own heart, to the hearts of others, and to service. Or maybe for now you're a bit stuck in blame. Others, your parents, your spouse or children, your government, the media, your health, the democrats and/or the republicans, or the evil behavior of others have caused your troubles. We learn all that we need to in good time. May our lessons be learned with grace, inner strength, and understanding. Namaste, Monique