The Swan: Grace and Beauty and Power of Self

I cannot sleep. And so at dawn I rise and go down to the river...

The tumultuous past weeks, in my Anusara yoga community, have taken its toll on so many. I can almost hear the voices of despair, sadness, and anger, and once more I recite the Reiki Precepts, reminding myself to not worry, not to be angry - and to be compassionate for everyone...

But in my heart of hearts, here down by this river, I also acknowledge, truly, for the first time, that there is such a diversity of opinions in this torn community, represented by three Facebook pages, that the community that once existed, can never again come together in any sort of configuration. There are too many perspectives that cannot be reconciled. I am saddened by this. But, it is also a call to step into our power, and more fully acknowledge our connection to the Divine...

Just as I am about to leave and come home, I spot a magnificent and noble swan on the other side of the river. I have never seen one here...

I have a painting over my bed, done by an artist friend of the family, now deceased, with a magnificent swan as well, that was painted at Rock Creek Park... I do not realize the significance of this painting over my bed - until this moment!

I realize the Swan is giving me an important message...

"Ham Sa..." This is not only the Sanskrit name of the Swan, but it is, in itself, a Sacred Mantra as well...

"I AM THAT!"

I and the Divine are One!

My heart feels buoyed by this simple message of love, and hope...

I drive home and look up the totem meaning of swan and read this:

Grace, Beauty, Power of Self

"The Swan is one of the most powerful
and ancient of totems.

As you begin to realize your own true beauty,
you unfold the ability to bridge new realms and new powers.
Swan can show you how to access the inner beauty
within yourself and others.

A Swan totem heralds a time of altered states of awareness
and the development of intuitive abilities.
Swan people have the ability to see the future,
and to accept the healing and transformation
that is beginning in their lives.
Accept your ability and go with the flow.
Pay attention to your hunches and inner knowledge,
and Swan medicine will work through you.

The Swan's call teaches the mysteries of song and poetry,
for these touch the child and the beauty within."

And then, I receive the following message in my inbox, and I am reminded once more, that everything that I need is already inside of me:

"No matter how painful our early experiences were, our Essence cannot be harmed. Our Essence is waiting for the opportunity to reveal itself. In a very true sense, we are waiting for the opportunity to become ourselves. Our spirit is yearning to break free, to express itself...

And yet, ironically, we always fear and resist opening to that which is most real in us. When we trust in the process and give ourselves over to it, however, our true nature comes forth. The result is real integrity, love, authenticity, creativity, understanding, guidance, joy, power, and serenity: all of the qualities we are forever demanding that personality supply."
~ Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson

And so, once more, favorite words by Rumi come to mind, which simply affirm the messages received on this morning:

"The whole universe
is inside of you.
Ask all from yourself!"