Hanuman's Journey Over the Ocean
Not only was the distance very vast, but Hanuman also had to fight several demons along the way. Mainaka is the first demon that Hanuman meets on his great leap from India to Lanka. She is a mountain that rose up from the ocean, offering Hanuman a place to rest. However, Hanuman is Persistent in his devotion to Sri Ram, and continues on after a sincere greeting of thanks and honor for the kind offer. Are there times when we are tempted to take a break, but know that in so doing we will be compromising our sense of purpose and responsibility to that which we were entrusted? Is one ounce of pleasure worth a pound of pain, can we enjoy a rest as anxiety and tasks build up?
The second demon, Surasa is a giant serpent that refuses to allow Hanuman a chance to pass until he gets into her mouth. Here he uses his cleverness, enlarging himself with one of the boons given to him of the 8 Yoga Siddhis, power to become large or small at will. The immense serpent was able to stretch her mouth to match his size, but then Hanuman quickly became very small, leaping into her mouth and out. Having fulfilled the condition, outwitting Surasa, Hanuman advances onward. Is there an opportunity for me to use my cleverness today instead of using brute strength to force my way through an obstacle? Can I be sensitive and flexible enough to know the right time when it is appropriate to be big, bold, and courageous, and then meek, humble, and small? Can I act in the field of intention?
The last demon, Sinhaka, took hold of Hanuman's shadow. He had no choice but to humble his onward advancement and pause long enough to reclaim his shadow and defeat Sinhaka, otherwise the demon would cause bigger, more complicated problems latter on when Hanuman would face the great horde at Lanka. There are times when demons know exactly where we are most vulnerable. They attack us at our weakest point, exploiting and feeding off of our hidden shadowy selves, that which we would like to remain hidden in darkness, but follows us relentlessly. With might and power of will, we, like Hanuman, can reclaim our shadow from the maw of the demon that uses us and our darkness for its evil purpose. Though it might be hard to look at, our shadows are an important part of who we are, giving the Light within a chance to shine. Like Sri Hanuman, we must guard this darkness against demons that try to destroy us through our weakness, so that it might glorify the Light of Life as it becomes purified!
Special thanks to Elizabeth and her article Learning From Our Demons (Hanuman Leaps to Lanka)
for the guidance in my own exploration of Hanuman's journey over the ocean. :-)
Practice in Letting the Light of Virtue Shine!
We all have many different demons in many different forms in our lives season to season, day to day, moment to moment, some that are inviting, some powerful, some manipulative. How do we deal with all of these threatening forms? Positive overcomes negative, virtue over demonic darkness. Defeat from a demon of Betrayal, Loss, Violence, Hunger, Anxiety, Vengeance, Hatred, Jealousy, etc. can really deter one from progress to the positive, Virtue filled Light. I have experienced this over and over again, like a car crash in the middle of a tranquil Sunday drive. Practice and Preparation can prevent us from being taken off guard, Practice in the form of Virtuous thoughts, words, and deeds. I think that it can be overwhelming without a clear starting point, there are many Virtues, one enough to match every Vice. Let's start by focusing on what comes natural to us, perhaps it is honesty. Practice Virtuous thoughts, words, and deeds in your Virtue of choice. Build up Strength, take Courage, realize a feeling of Success! Jai Jai Jai Ramaya Namah! Jai Jai Jai Hanumate Namah!
When you are ready begin to practice a new Virtue from the perspective of your primary Virtue, ex. Honest cleverness, etc. Practice kindness, exercising will power as you can, release tension, worry, and anxiety, giving yourself permission to grow natural into the Light. If we fight with the demons with demonic vices like anger we will only make the demons stronger. May all beings be blessed with Virtue and Light!
Thank you Ramayana, Swami Dharmakirti, Swami Sankarananda, Shanti Ashram, Divine Grace Yoga Ashram, satvic food, nature, honest seekers, fellowship, Peace, the Light of Virtue which Dispels the Darkness of our suffering, and the opportunities to practice them :-) Have a wonderful day, my friend! Thank you so much for joining me, for being wonderful you! I hope that you enjoyed “Thank You Peace :-) For Virtues, the Light within that Dispels all Darkness Part I! :-)” May all beings find enough momentum in their Lives to practice Virtuous thoughts, words, and deeds, that, when the time comes, no Darkness will overcome the Light of Love :-) Jai Jai Jai Ramaya Namah! Jai Jai Jai Hanumate Namah! :-) Love, Aaron :-)