Once there was a Cobra who terrorized a tiny village. One day, a monk visited the village and observed the cobra. The monk spoke to the snake about Ahimsa — a yogi concept of non-violence and love. The snake was deeply changed by this message.
A few months later, the monk visited the village again and found the cobra miserable, starving and beaten. The cobra asked the monk what he should do about his situation. The villagers were throwing rocks at him & not fearful of his anymore.
The snake told the monk, “You taught me the principle of non-violence. You taught me not to bite people!” The monk replied, “Yes, but I did not tell you not to hiss.”
Here’s my work in progress — A short list of how I’ve learned to hiss:
- Be badass. I mean know who you are. Be yourself. Practice kindness to yourself.
- Be mindful of your response. Is it a hiss or a bite? Take a breath. Pause. Ask yourself what is truly needed.
- Practice meditation — creating loving kindness for all, even the ones who have harmed or annoyed us.
- Stand your ground by being unwavering yet collaborative. Yes, you can do both whiles being heard. Be the listener and find compassion. This requires a willingness on our part to set aside our own story and listen to another. It’s possible hissing isn’t needed. Perhaps we just need to gently establish new boundaries. We could call that a gentle hiss.
- Be unmoved. In the chaos, we must remain true to ourselves. Seek gentle presence. Your own movement and growth is inevitable, but we need not be swept away by it. Allow for this movement, but don’t force it. When in the midst of negativity, we can lose ourselves. Be mindful and aware.
- When necessary, hiss. Hiss with words meant to protect and not harm. Actions meant to protect and not harm. But hiss. Protect yourself.
*Credit Jennifer Pamplona
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