Cracks Are Where The Light Shines Through

What can we do this year to cultivate an environment of care inside of ourselves and around us? In Indigenous cultures around the world, you see that in their very foundation exists this strong sense of community. In our retreats we cultivate this element of community and right relationship with life.

When we are in community, we have greater capacity to hold one another and reflect back to each other that those parts we don’t want to embrace have beauty to give. In life we all go through difficult times; waves are part of the journey. Having good friends and teachers nearby in these moments can give us the support to see that our cracks are not defects but places where the light shines through. These cracks provide the water for these parts of ourselves to grow into mighty trees.

A legend from India tells of a man who carried water to his village every day, in two large jars tied to the ends of a wooden pole, which he balanced on his back. One of the jars was older than the other, and had some small cracks; every time the man covered the distance to his house, half of the water was lost.

The younger jar was always very proud of its performance, safe in the knowledge that it was up to the mission it had been made for, while the other jar was mortified with shame at only fulfilling half of its allotted task. It was so ashamed that one day, while the man got ready to fetch water from the well, it decided to speak to him: I want to apologize, but because of the many years of service, you are only able to deliver half of my load, and quench half of the thirst which awaits you at your home.

The man smiled, and said: When we return, observe carefully the path. And so it did. And the jar noticed that, on its side, many flowers and plants grew. See how nature is more lovely on your side? – commented the man. – I always knew you were cracked, and decided to make use of this fact.

“I planted flowers and vegetables, and you have always watered them. have picked many roses to decorate my house with, I have fed my children with lettuce, cabbage and onions. If you were not as you are, how could I have done that? All of us, at some point, grow old and start to acquire other qualities. We can always make the most of each one of these new qualities and obtain a good result.”