The Choice of the Two Spheres
With all the unrest in the world today, I wanted to share a message with you that I have found helps bring comfort. Each moment we walk around with the possibility to place our focus within two spheres.
The first is called, “The Sphere of Concern”.
In the Sphere of Concern lies all the problems of the world – war, disease, homelessness, poverty, world hunger, mass murders, and a whole host of things that we have little to no power over in this very moment.
The next is called, “The Sphere of Influence”.
In the Sphere of Influence lives all the things you can do that makes a lasting change on your world. You could take a walk, read a book, cook a meal, listen to music, tutor a child, write a representative, get involved in political processes, start a charity, help a charity, have a conversation with someone of an opposing view, not to fight, but to really understand what their experience is like.
The more time you spend focused on The Sphere of Influence, the less bandwidth you give to the Sphere of Concern and the more peace you foster in your life.
In Alan Watt’s book, The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, Watts wrote:
“Peace can be made only by those who are peaceful, and love can be shown only by those who love. No work of love will flourish out of guilt, fear, or hollowness of heart, just as no valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now.”
As Jedi, we strive to be an instrument of peace so that we can bring peace to others.
Maxim 20 states - Intervention: To know when not to act. A Jedi knows how inaction can have as great an impact as action and how some of the greatest lessons are self-taught. To be a victor is also taking that victory from those you protect. A Jedi intervenes only when a Jedi's intervention is required.
By staying in our Sphere of Influence, we are not only more effective and peaceful, we allow others to handle the things that are theirs to do.
So how do we stay in our Sphere of Influence?
When your focus shifts to something you can ask yourself these questions:
Who am I BEING about this? Often by asking this question I find that I am being a victim of circumstances that I can’t control.
What action is mine around this? Just because we can’t do anything about the situation, there is always an action we can take. (See above in the description of the Sphere of Influence for ideas)
How can I be an instrument of peace?
Who can I send love?
May you all feel the presence of the Force, for the Force is always with you!
You are loved!
