In Michelle Obama’s most recent book The Light We Carry she recalls how she dealt with the early days of the pandemic. The world had suddenly jerked off course and nothing felt safe. At that moment, she began to knit for the first time. Knitting, she explained, was a way to keep her hands busy doing something small when everything else felt too large to handle. And, bonus, she made some great gifts for friends and family! I recall her words at times like these, when everything seems too large to handle. Small, intentional actions, whether knitting or meditating or washing the dishes, can bring us back to the present and help us reclaim inner peace.
Paramhansa Yogananda taught continuously the usefulness of meditation to dispel fear and find peace, especially when things seem too large to manage. I wove these two seemingly different threads of wisdom and discovered: the most powerful small thing we can do is focus on the daily refinement of our meditation practices. One day it may be putting more focused attention on energization exercises. The next day, it may be sitting an extra ten minutes in silence. Yet another day, it might be more prayers for the healing of others. The list of ways to bring attention to daily sadhana is endless and with every microadjustment, you will find your mind and heart returning to peace.
“Meditation is the real panacea by which you can permanently cure yourself of the daydream of matter and all its evils, and realize yourself as pure Spirit,” Yogananda explains.
We can focus on the small things off the meditation cushion as well, of course. We legitimately need ways to unwind and relax when the day is done. Preferably activities that support our desire to find inner joy and rejuvenate us when the day’s work is done.
Returning to Michelle’s choice of knitting with her abundance of free time imposed by the pandemic, there are two deeper reasons that this small thing brought her solace. First, knitting is a creative endeavor and true creativity requires attention to the present moment. Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Yogananda once explained, “One of the secrets of creativity is to live in the moment, and in the work of the moment. A work of art must be a projection outward from one’s center within.”
Secondly, knitting is an act of service because the completed project is likely a useful item for yourself or someone else be it socks, hats, gloves, scarves, or blankets. And when we feel overwhelmed or fearful, Yogananda explains that an act of service is often key to redirect our energy into a positive direction.
“Life should be chiefly service. Without that ideal, the intelligence that God has given you is not reaching out toward its goal. When in service you forget the little self, you will feel the big Self of Spirit. Rather than always striving for personal happiness, try to make others happy,” Yogananda explained.
On service, let us also keep the counsel of another great saint, Ramana Maharshi, “Your own Self-realization is the greatest service you can render the world.”