I’ve just emerged from an extraordinary experience facilitating the Rewire and Renew retreat, where a beautiful tapestry of souls, aged 28 to 87, gathered to connect, heal, and grow. This retreat reaffirmed my deep belief that we are all on this journey together. When we open our hearts to one another, we unlock the true essence of happiness and peace.
As we approach the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan, or Rakhi, on Monday, August 19th, I invite you to reflect on its profound message. Traditionally, this festival celebrates the bond of love and protection between siblings. A sister ties a red string (raksha) on her brother’s right wrist as a symbol of affection and protection, originally made from cotton string but now ranging from sterling silver to beads and baubles. In return, the brother gives her a gift and vows to protect her. The raksha represents the strengthening of the bond between sisters and brothers.
Even if you don’t follow the Hindu tradition, I believe we can all embrace the spirit of Rakhi. Inspired by the Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore, who envisioned Rakhi as a celebration of universal kindness, let’s use this day as an opportunity to spread blessings, not just among siblings, but to all.
A Simple Ritual with Profound Impact:
This Rakhi, I encourage you to create or buy simple cotton strings, or anything that resonates with you, and offer them to your siblings, friends, and neighbors as a symbol of blessing, respect, and friendship.By taking this small step to honor one another, we fortify the bonds that hold us together and lay the groundwork for a more compassionate world.
Let’s see what happens when we open our hearts. Who says we can’t change the world, one string at a time?
With love and light,
Barbara