Protection
I know you’re tired, but come. This is the way. - Rumi
In September of 2013, I made public vows known as “taking the precepts” and “taking refuge.” This involved chanting in Pali my promise to do my best personally to uphold a set of ethical values, and to look to wise teachers, teachings, and a spiritual community to continue on a path of earnest growth through insight and accountability.
Technically, in meditation traditions associated with Buddhism, one takes refuge in the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha, but it’s important to remember that Buddhism does not consider the Buddha to be a deity. The historical Buddha was an earnest seeker and a wise teacher; the dharma is simply - and profoundly - the unadorned nature of things; and the sangha is a community of people who endeavor to support and encourage each other on their spiritual path with integrity and sincerity.
A standard definition of refuge is shelter or protection from danger or distress, such as in the case of refugees gaining shelter from persecution in a new, ideally safer, country.
When one is battered or threatened, refuge is indicated - and - refuge is rarely if ever intended to be a pass on life in general. The ultimate benefit refuge offers in the form of relief from threats is a set of conditions that enable a person to grow, thrive, and contribute to a larger community. To the extent one succumbs to the temptation to hide out in refuge and withdraw from life, that refuge is no longer protection, but a near enemy of protection: spiritual bypass, escapism, or delusion.
In times (like these, for many of us) when there is a pervasive, palpable sense of lack of safety, where do you turn for protection? Still more salient questions for those of us so privileged to focus on meditation might be: from what do you seek protection, and what might you be inadvertently protecting?
Look closely, then, when feeling threatened, uneasy, or exhausted. Is your inclination only to escape, or are you seeking to learn from your discomfort within refuge?
There is much talk in modern mindfulness circles about self-care, self-compassion, regulating our nervous systems, attachment theory, family systems work, and many other sub-modalities ostensibly intended to help provide a foundational sense of safety necessary to heal and grow.
In theory, I’m pro-all of these things. I’ve personally benefited tremendously from therapy, psychiatry, and multiple 12-step programs . . . and, as my teacher Ursula says, I don’t confuse them with practice.
When life circumstances or practice itself touches a nerve, then, take refuge in rest, therapy, recovery, teachers, teachings, and friends not to escape that pain, but in order to be resourced enough to turn toward it.
After the most recent women’s retreat at the CCE, I received this extraordinary note from an earnest practitioner:
“One word that came up this weekend and feels really important to me in regards to the path [is] . . .protection . . .
“Protection from blindness, arrogance, delusions, sarcasm, ignorance, not getting too lonely . . .keeping me accountable, inspired, honest, humble …. I guess I’m claiming this is my fundamental protection to stay a kind human: eyes, heart, mind open, and helping me stay strong where principles are at stake.”
The pull to avoid uncomfortable conversations, introspection, or what is often called “shadow work” in spiritual paths under the guise of self-care is a siren song. Please resist being caught by it. Take refuge in true teachers, true teachings, and true friends . . . so that you will have protection from delusion, and keep an open heart and open eyes.
