What is a Bodhi?

It goes without saying that you may be wondering just what is a bodhi and how does one go about their design?

Bodhi in Sanskrit means “awakening” or “enlightenment”.  Bodhi is the root word for bodhisattva which can mean a human seeking enlightenment or self-realization.  Or it can be a being who has attained such a state and is purposely delaying union with Source out of compassion for fellow humanity.

In either case, there is one thing in common:  both awakening and intention with a goal of compassion.  There is both a determination to rise above the noise and stories that keep us in suffering and a compassion to help other beings find their way out of suffering.

You may be thinking, Whoa, now, sister…surely that doesn’t apply to today…those are really lofty goals! 

But are they?

Believe it or not, there are people in the world actively, diligently seeking to rise above the noise of life and its distractions. They make ethical choices regardless of whether anyone is watching.  They serve their communities, places of work, or countries out of a desire to help or contribute to the greater good versus for personal gain. They meditate or quiet their minds daily and follow deep intuition versus the loudest voices in the crowd. And, they do their work and go about their day, unattached to any rewards or praise, success or failure. They are not checking out, they are checking in.  They are tapping into the flow, the Intelligence that connects us all, for they understand we are all connected.

True, some live in ashrams or spiritual communities.  But, many, many others live among us.

A bodhi in the making has reached a point in their journey where they have had enough of the rollercoaster of life with its moods, disappointments, highs and lows.  They have set an intention, a goal for their life to pursue their purpose, higher consciousness, peace, and/or a detachment from the swirl that pulls everyone else into a tizzy.  AND, they have a desire to help their fellow humankind and the rest of the planet's inhabitants in the process.  

It is a journey of courage and not for the faint of heart.

In spite of what we hear from our news feeds, there IS a shift happening.  Younger people, even children are speaking out or taking action with such a mature-beyond-their-years perspective towards society’s systems, which, in many cases, are no longer viable for the health of civilization, let alone the planet and its inhabitants.  They understand that the way things “have always been done” are not working.  If they were, why is there so much disparity, anxiety, inequity, depression, despair, waste, and destruction?  

Without getting too deeply (yet) into how we each contribute to the energetic “mood” of family, culture, modern civilization, and the very planet, understand that the peacemakers hold the balance. Their quiet work and daily practices keep the train on the rails.  What would the world be like if more people had the courage to join their ranks?  

Each of us has the daily opportunity to be still and quiet our minds.  A regular practice of quieting our minds so changes us and clarifies our thoughts, words and actions that those closest to us experience and benefit from the peace and clarity we create in ourselves.  The effects ripple out from there…family, neighborhood, work, community, city, state, country, the planet.  

A bodhi is intentional in their response to the question each of us is presented with daily:  do I add to the noise or will I be calm, peaceful, joyful, loving and compassionate to others in the midst of any circumstance?  

A bodhi responds with: I will be peace and harmony not only for myself, but for all beings. Yes, yes, yes.