The Holding of....

... two opposing ideas.

I was driving to work the other morning.  I had awakened in a less-than-stellar mood, somewhat dismayed at returning to the chaos of a brutal week at work.   I was just sort of off my game.  I hadn't slept well, I was tired and I knew that the day would be busy and offered no respite.  

When I got in the car, I tuned my ipod to a specific chant, one that I knew would soothe whatever was churning inside.   The chant is about 12 minutes long, the perfect length for garage-to-parking-lot travel.

Here's a link to the chant:   Shantala singing "Baba Hanuman"

There was average traffic on my usual route.  I chanted along with the recording and noticed that I was navigating traffic without angst and my mood was settling as I drove. 

Long ago, I had heard a quote (I know not where)... Serenity is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in the mind without conflict.  The quote is sequestered in my desk on an elderly post it note.   I had to find it (and the exact wording) when I got home.

I had been holding two ideas all along my short commute.   The magic of bhakti and the navigation of traffic.   Now to maintain that as I move thru the day.  It became a grounding point.   I didn't always feel serene, but the day did seem to move a bit better.