Rukha - the home or source of peace
The mindset of Rukha conveys more than simply “peace of mind”. To be “at home in Rukha” means to touch the deep source of inner serenity that is available to us all at all times. It is to be in harmony with ourselves regardless of our outer circumstances.
Quietness of the mind is master of the deed.
It is to be in contact with the Higher Self, Deeper Self, Truest Self, whatever term you are comfortable with, but it is the place we access in meditation. The mindset of Rukha means that no matter how other people behave, no matter how unjust the things they say about us, how unfair the things they do, we remain centred, stay within the place of peace. To connect with the breath connects us with Rukha. The Hebrew word “Ruah” means “the breath of God”. There are available a host of wonderful practices that we can explore that help us develop Rukha – yoga, tai chi, meditation techniques, therapies. Twenty four years ago I was introduced to meditation by my dear friend Maya.
There is a peace that passes all understanding
It dwells in the heart of those who live in the eternal.
There is a power that maketh all things new
It lives and move in those who know the self as one.
This verse provided a focus for the meditation and I have been thinking about this off and on ever since and still find it worth thinking about. To “embrace tiger, return to mountain top”, to interact with the world and return to our centre, is to develop a rhythm in life that matches the rhythm of our breathing. It is by so doing that we can develop a true understanding of the outside world as our playground, the place that we choose to learn the lessons we want to learn, and all the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” cannot touch us when we are in touch with Rukha. Because we dwell in the heart, in our true home, peace is in every breath we take.
Breathing in I calm my mind
Breathing out I smile.
Dwelling in the moment
I know this is a wonderful moment.
Loving Kindness meditation
(by Stephen Levine)
Sitting comfortably allow the attention to come gradually to the breath. The breath coming and going all by itself deep within the body. Take a few moments to allow the attention to gather within the even rhythm of the breath.
Turning gently within, begin to direct towards yourself feelings of loving kindness relating to yourself as though you were your only child. Silently in the heart say
“May I dwell in the heart. May I be free from suffering.
May I be healed. May I be at peace.”
Just feel the breath breathing into the heart space as we relate to ourselves with mercy and loving kindness. Allow the heart to silently whisper the words of mercy that heal.
“May I dwell in the heart. May I be free from suffering.
May I be healed. May I be at peace.”
Repeating gently with each in-breath into the heart, “May I dwell in the heart.” With each out-breath, “May I be free from suffering.” With the next in-breath “May I be healed.” With the next out-breath “May I be at peace.” Allow the healing in with each breath. Relating to yourself with great tenderness sending well-being into your mind and body. Embracing yourself in these gentle words of healing. (continue for a few minutes).
Now gently bring to mind someone for whom you have a feeling of warmth and kindness. Picturing this loved one in your heart, whisper silently,
“May you dwell in the heart. May you be free from suffering.
May you be healed. May you be at peace.”
With each in-breath drawing them into your heart, “May you dwell in the heart.” With each out-breath filling them with your loving kindness, “May you be free from suffering.” With the next in-breath drawing their heart closer to yours, “May you be healed.” With the following out-breath extending to them a wish for their well-being, “May you be at peace.” Continue to breathe them into your heart, whispering silently to yourself, to them,
“May you dwell in the heart. May you be free from suffering.
May you be healed. May you be at peace.”
Send them your love, your compassion, your care. (continue for a few minutes)
And as you sense them in your heart, sense this whole world that wishes to be healed, to know its true nature, to be at peace. And in your heart with each in-breath, with each out-breath,
“May all beings dwell in the heart. May all beings be free from suffering.
May all beings be healed. May all beings be at peace.”
Let your loving kindness reach out to all beings as it did to your loved one, sensing all beings in need of healing, in need of peace. The whole world like a bubble floating in your heart embraced by your loving kindness. Each breath drawing in the love that heals the world, that deepens the peace we all seek.
“May all beings dwell in the heart. May all beings be free from suffering.
May all beings be healed. May all beings be at peace.”
To be at home in Rukha
On waking, stand and stretch slowly and gently, then breath deeply, 6 times. Now sit with back straight and close your eyes. Be aware of your body and let it be relaxed. Reach up in consciousness (raising your awareness above your head). Imagine the Home in Rukha as a centre of light that rests above your head. It is in your Deep or Higher Self that the source of your love, wisdom and inner strength lies. Think about the blessings in your life and give thanks for all your blessings.
Identify with the Self: :I am the Self. I have choice. I have will. I am in charge of my self, my actions, my mind and my emotions. I now choose to be calm and serene. I am in charge. I can use my inner wisdom to show me what is really important now.:
Contact the quality of Peace in your Higher Self, or Naphsha. Let that Peace, like a golden light, flow into your mind, emotions and body. Imagine a calm peaceful lake, and let your body mind and emotions be calm and peaceful like the surface of the calm water. Let that peace pervade your consciousness. Rest in that Peace. Let it radiate out into relationships where it is needed.
Serving Peace in a situation
Make the usual preparations for meditation: Relax your body, calm the emotions, and still the concrete mind. Lift your consciousness above the level of the personal concerns to that of the Higher Self, the Light within, the Naphsha.
Become aware of your ability to set goals and use your will. Now get in touch with your will. Examine your willingness to make a decision that is right for you. Be aware now that you are above the level of anxiety and concerns. Ask within yourself: :What is the message this situation and my tension have for me?: :What am I to learn here?: :What is the best that can come out of this for everyone?: :What is the Spirit of Peace able to bring to this situation?: :What best serves Peace here?:
Ask any question that is appropriate for you at this time. Wait for the answer to come. This is not a mental process, do not try to think it out. If you are using a mental process, lift higher in your consciousness. Allow the answer to come from your Naphsha, which is located above your head.
Blessed are those who serve the Peace of the Creator
for they shall be called the heirs of the Source of Life.
Blessed are those who have evil spoken against them
and are scorned and harassed
for taking a stand in support of
fairness-to-all
for they shall have complete inner peace and serenity
Then, when you feel perfectly at peace and have the answers to your questions make a will statement such as: :I will to hold the attitude of Home in Rukha all this day comfortably. I will to maintain this spirit of calm, peace and serenity about me and in all my relationships all this day.:
Become aware of your body and breathing, open your eyes and go about your day in peace.
My experience of Rukha
When I look at what I’m really like, I dread to think what I’d be like if I hadn’t spent the last twenty odd years meditating. I once hit my daughter in sheer frustration when I was on a Buddhist retreat in Ireland when she was acting up in legitimate protest at the fact she’d had nothing to do while I’d spent the last 2 hours trying to gain enlightenment. We had been told not to speak until we met again for the next meditation and in honouring that, I blew it completely.
But I have at times, known what it is to feel the “peace that passes all understanding” and have viewed my life from the perspective it gives me. I have got lost in my story many times but I am very grateful that I have found myself gently led back to the path that my lovely Maya first open to me all those years ago.