Take Refuge

Inner Constellation theme for the month of June is Refuge.* I’m looking forward to a series of blog articles around the theme and this first one kicking us off is inspired by returning from a weekend tennis tournament. There was packing, driving, match deadlines, competing, loudness and ruckus, more driving, more competing, more loudness and ruckus, then arrive home to a house in shambles and the work week starting. Arrrghhhh, how do I find refuge?!!

In my most recent readings, I’ve learned that the Buddha, a few months before he passed away, instructed his followers to take refuge in themselves, “…be an island unto yourself. Don’t take refuge in anything else.” He encouraged them to use the teachings as their lamp and as their island to return to when they had strayed. I relate to this and it aligns very closely with my metaphor of “Inner Constellation,” the idea that within us is everything we need for our well-being. The search for stability, comfort and happiness is not found outside us—the capacity to generate all of these and more is within.  You know I love self-inquiry, so let’s go!

• What do you take refuge in, what gives you comfort?

A few years ago, I would have answered this in the following way: my husband, fat cat on my lap (she nestles in as I’m typing :), close friends, music, a hard bike ride, you get the point. But, over the last year, I’ve narrowed down my refuges to warmth and goodness. What the heck am I talking about? Warmth: I put on a layer, grab a blanket, sit in the warm sunshine or grab a cup of tea and Goodness: internally generate whatever it is I need. If my husband, fat cat, friends, music or mountain bike are at my beck and call, great, more power to me, but if not, then I still have refuge, an Inner Constellation—unto myself.  Also, people, critters, objects, even places are not lasting and true, they will not always be around, but the internal world is available as long as we are alive and breathing! Buddha knew this and as he was passing away, he wished to strengthen the foundations of his comrades. We’re touching on the idea of North Star, another one of my metaphors which represents that which is unchanging or serves as a guiding light.

I’ve got more questions stewing, but before moving on, I really want to spend time on the first question to develop the practice of Taking Refuge. Before one takes refuge, the above question is most helpful to answer—what do you take refuge in, what gives you comfort? Contact me, I’d love to hear, or leave a post below.

* If you would like to receive a Monday-Friday Inner Constellation blessing as my gift to you, please contact me.