A while back, I wrote a blog on compassion and finding God through yoga, and searched for a photo to represent the essence of the article. I choose a picture of the Dalai Lama. Apparently that image which was freely accessible on the web needed to be paid for. I was surprised when I received a letter notifying me that I owed the License Compliance Services of Dalai Lama money for using this image. The article was not about selling something or promoting anything. It was about “Free Compassion”. A bit ironic don’t you think.
I do understand their perspective, but it led me to the question: “How many times has something well-intended unknowingly caused harm?” And, “when we realize that we have unknowingly caused harm, what do we do about it?”
Everything is filtered through the lenses of our perception. If I have only known the world as dangerous, greedy, and unfair, then I will view situations in life as unsafe, covetous and unjust. If my life’s experiences are grounded in abundance, kindness and generosity, then I will see the world through lenses of prosperity, love and benevolence. It all comes down to perception.
The great work of yoga is “drs” to see – clearly. As we begin our practice and clear away false perception, as we become more present and aware, we recognize not only our suffering but the suffering of others. The Yoga Sutras teach us how to go about clearing our perception, ridding our physical bodies of trapped energy and freeing our minds to live in the truth.
So, in accordance with my practice, I would like to acknowledge the perception, express my truth, apologize and ask for forgiveness; then I detach and let go leaving the rest to God. I would like to publicly apologize for using that image of the Dalai Lama. My intention for using the photo was pure; I was simply trying to spread compassion. Please forgive my transgression; I meant no harm.
