A toast to changing the human pattern...

The process of becoming unstuck requires tremendous bravery, because basically we are completely changing our way of perceiving reality, like changing our DNA.

Pema Chodron, When Things Fall Apart

This morning, watching the rain pour down from the couch in my sister's California living room, I was inspired by Pema's chapter on The Six Kinds of Loneliness.

The main point is loneliness is not a problem to be solved.

She delineates "cool" kinds of loneliness - ways to be at home in our lonely human skins:

Less desire - willingness to be lonely without resolution when yearning to be cheered up.

Contentment - when we have nothing, we have nothing to lose.

Avoiding unnecessary activities - from excessive busyness to obsessive daydreaming or geographic cures.

Complete discipline - gently coming back to the present moment at every opportunity.

Not wandering in the world of desire - relating directly with how things are instead of seeking comfort in food, drink, people.

Not seeking security from one's discursive thoughts - letting go of the constant analytical chatter of the mind.

Luckily - if we pay attention - we are constantly offered opportunities to bravely transform the energy of sadness to compassion for all sentient beings, and "...touch the boundless space of the human heart." As Pema says,

We deserve our birthright...an open state of mind that can relax with paradox and ambiguity.

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Being a leader for the betterment of the world is a brave and lonely occupation. My favorite leaders on the planet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and President Barack Obama, emanate the compassionate, righteous energy of "cool" loneliness. Here's to following in their footsteps with a year of peace and equanimity.

Dalai Lama / Obama photo credit: Welcome to All ! ツ on Pixabay