As I write, it is Good Friday. I reflect on the solemnity of this day. Over 2000 years ago, Jesus hung from the cross, his life on earth expiring at the hands of the ignorant. Right before their eyes was a man of God, but they could not see. Nor could they see their very own Divinity, even though their Divinity resides so close, being inherent within. And that was the crux of the tragedy of Good Friday over 2000 years ago. Failing to see their own Divinity, those people who ordered and applauded the crucifixion of Jesus failed to see his Divinity. That tragedy continues today.

My teacher’s Guru, Swami Muktanandanda, said:
“Ignorance is nothing but the forgetfulness of your own Self. To forget your own Self and consider yourself something else – that is ignorance.”

If you forget your own Self, your own Divinity, you will inevitably forget to see the Divinity in others. You see yourself and others as something other than Divine.

If only you and I could always remember. Well, that’s the purpose of yoga and meditation: to help you remember and reclaim your Divinity. You remember who you are when you get past the limitations of your mind – past your limiting beliefs, judgements and prejudices. Then you are empowered to see more clearly the Divine in one and all.

As Jesus was suspended on a cross over 2000 years ago, so today all of us are suspended at a crossroad. One road is headed for more of the same, including hatred, wars, plundering of the planet and climate change wrought by human ignorance and greed. The other road is headed for transformation, where consciousness is raised and eyes and hearts are opened, where hope and love prevail over desolation and hate.

May we all take the high road! May we all rise to our potential, becoming fully cognizant of who we really are. No matter the color of our skin, no matter the religion or political persuasion, no matter what gender: may we all arise in unison, in love, and in respect for one another as Divine, just as Jesus did, and just as have so many saints and sages before and since. Then, and only then, will the “Good” in “Good Friday” come to fruition.

Namaste! “The Divine within me bows with great reverence to the Divine within you.”