I love to watch the deer that are all around the community where I live in the hills of Northern California.  I so enjoy watching the circle of life each year as they have their precious babies in the trees, keeping them safe from the predators they fear.

In observing the deer I have noticed a human parallel in the impulses that cause a deer to run away.  When someone or something triggers a hot button within us, for whatever reason, the trigger caused by the perceived threat ignites and the heart starts pumping faster and faster.  What causes you to react in your heart?  I have observed people freezing up, or watched them being unkind to others or have witnessed rude comments expressed to someone who innocently walks into their space.  That is exactly what happens when a deer hears a sudden sound and reacts with fear.

Even though we rarely face life-threatening dangers, many people defend themselves psychologically rather than physiologically.  We can struggles with our inner fears, insecurities, damaging, critical, and hurtful behavior patterns.  The struggle resides within us and they need our realization because if it triggers us, it is inside of us begging to be healed.

Many people tend to defend the space around us.  Some people defend their self-concept, others guard hidden emotional territories and possessions and when triggered and unexamined can cause great confusion and hurt in others. All of this drama is our version of running into the woods and hiding, like a deer, behind a tree.

Recently I witnessed a mature spiritual teacher move toward a random person rather than say hello to someone she was clearly uncomfortable with.  The look on her face was quite revealing even though I had no idea what actually motivated her.

People know exactly how to close down their hearts and put up psychological barriers.  If you discover that you are doing some of that and you are working very hard to avoid discomfort or pain, it is causing you to close your heart down and it is shutting innocent people out.

Guarding our hearts and energy centers only serves to make the world a colder and indifferent place.  Life will stir our energies when we are hiding from old fears and wounds lodged in your energy centers that are called samskars in Yoga.  This is what causes all of our physical, emotional and energetic trouble in our bodies.  It will show up in every area of our lives.  I believe that it eventually  greatly impacts and effects the whole planet.  We are all One.

Who you are does matter and what you do sends out ripples of love and inclusiveness or pain and separation.  What will you choose to bring forth today?

Know that you are loved.  I love you…  Rev. Barb