Last night, I attended Bakti Benefit, hosted by Dr. Jacqueline Chan at CLEAR Center of Health, where I practice medicine. This event featured kirtan musicians offering healing chants, vegetarian Indian food, massage, and a silent auction, all intended to help Elizabeth Rose Raphael, a Pinkie in need. Elizabeth has Lyme’s disease, and after treatment just started to cure her, her insurance dropped her. Elizabeth’s friends rallied, gathering together to find musicians, chefs, massage therapists, and vendors, who all donated products and services to support this luscious Pink Goddess.

When I arrived at the event, the chanting had already begun. A large group of people sat cross-legged on the floor, while musicians playing the harmonium, guitar, and drums lead the community in devotional chanting. Elizabeth, dressed in all white, radiated pure love, as others gathered to support her. My 3 year old Siena traveled from person to person, hugging each person in the room systematically, my own little Amma. The musicians, some of whom regularly provide music at Amma’s retreat center, smiled as they watched Siena, the little crystal child, spread love throughout the room.

Although her presence elicited many smiles, we didn’t need Siena to remind us how much love was in that room. Watching a community gather together with the intention of helping one of its own is a blessed thing. Even in these tough times, everyone gave generously of their time, their money, their gifts, and their services. Elizabeth graciously received, something many cannot open their heart to accept. As the music of Mukti, Daniel Tucker, Jonathon & Lisa, and Andrew Zenoff & Joss swelled through the light, airy atmosphere of CLEAR Center, people swayed, eyes closed, sometimes holding hands, sometimes resting heads on each other’s shoulders, sometimes smiling.

Watching the community rally to support Elizabeth renewed my faith in love and reminded me that we are all One Tribe. We need only ask others to help us, when we can no longer manage life alone. Being willing to receive the love and generosity of others is as blessed (and often even more challenging) than being willing to give.

It all got me thinking about how most of us respond to illness, scarcity, and tough times. How many of us live in fear? How often do we fail to ask for help from those who would lovingly reach out, if only they knew how much we need a helping hand? Why do we not ask our community for what we need? Those who love us would never let us go hungry, or fail to get medical treatments we need, or be homeless. Yet, we diminish ourselves by thinking we don’t deserve to ask for help, that we would never wish to burden anyone. When we limit ourselves with thoughts of scarcity and fear, we fail to open ourselves up to the abundance that surrounds us, if only we’re open to receiving it.

Today’s Mojo Monday exercise:

1. If you know someone in need, open your heart and give what you can give, no matter how small your offering. You may not have money to spare, but a casserole, child care for someone who needs it, a lift to the hospital, reading a book to someone lonely, or helping someone laugh when they’re done crying can make all the difference in someone’s life. Crack your heart open and let the compassion spill out onto someone who needs it. Remember that we are One Tribe, and what you do for your sister you do also for the rest of us and for yourself.

2. If you feel too wounded to give right now, humble yourself and ask someone else for what you need. Don’t let pride get in the way. Banish ego and let love in. Approach others with a spirit of genuine abundance, and goodness and plenty will fill your life. Watch magic happen.

3. Say a prayer of gratitude, knowing that out there in the world are communities like the one supporting Elizabeth, whose healing has already begun, before her medications even kick in. You can be part of the change you wish to see in the world. You have the power. We are pure love, and we can transform our lives and the lives of those around us.

With trust in the power of community,

Lissa

PS. We just met Elizabeth this week, but Elizabeth is coming to live with my family for a while. She may see this as a generous gift from us, but we don’t see it that way. Through our eyes, we will have the honor of learning to know a new friend, serving her with green juice healing, offering her solitude, serenity and healing. We expect nothing in return, and yet, I know- because these things always work this way- that her presence in our lives will yield new gifts, new awakening, new friendship, new hope, new joy- and most of us, community. When Elizabeth’s health returns, she will pay it forward, I’m certain. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if only we all behaved this way? Give what you have to give, ask for what you need. Let love rise up to meet you, especially in times of need.