Mother Teresa

My favorite excerpts from Meditations from the Mat, Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga written by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison:

“Whatever you do, even if you help somebody cross the road, you do it to Jesus. Even giving somebody a glass of water, you do it to Jesus. Such a simple little teaching, but it is more and more important.”
- Mother Teresa, page 246

Allowing our actions to be focused outwardly releases us from thinking that we are at the center of the Universe. The smallest gesture of kindness or a simple smile holds the power to transform. The infinite is living within all of us, whether we call it Jesus, Buddha, Brahmin, the higher source, or whatever. Extending love and energy to others connects us to each other, which connects us to the higher source, allowing the interconnectedness to free us from the ego.
I have seen what very small gestures of caring can do for someone experiencing grief or pain, or just a dull Monday morning. I have been hugged by countless strangers because I have been willing to connect to them rather than view them as separate from me. These kind of interactions ease the pain of the world because they are seeds planted from one human to another, one seed at a time.
Being sensitive to others and letting our heart and inner love be our guide makes connecting to others easier and easier over time.