Letting Go

Yesterday, I said good-bye to my stained glass Sri Yantra. For those unfamiliar with this yogic symbol, the Chakra (or circle) represents a source of energy. The intersecting triangles refer to the cosmic creative force. The Sri Yantra, as a whole, symbolizes the integration of the mind, body and spirit.

I spent several months of my spare time working on this piece. Drawing the intricate design with it’s accurate dimensions, choosing the colors and textures of the glass, and meditating on the symbolism gave me great joy.

Creating a stained glass window is a lesson in patience. Once a design is created, the artist cuts the glass, grinds the edges to accurate dimensions so that each piece fits snuggly into a narrow channel of lead. The window is put together like a jigsaw puzzle, adding a piece of lead, fitting a piece of glass, hammering the glass in place, then moving on to the next piece. Making a stained glass window is a labor of love, and for me, it’s also a source of meditation and mantra (or affirmation). The greater number of glass pieces, the more labor intensive the project. This Sri Yantra had 99 pieces. Once all the pieces are hammered in place, each joint is soldered on both sides of the window, then cement is added along each section of lead to secure the glass into the lead cam. When the cement dries, the window is cleaned and polished and ready for hanging.

Yesterday, my labor of love, crashed to the floor. Its frame twisted no longer flat, several pieces of glass cracked. In other words, the window, as a work of art, was no more.

There’s a term in yoga Asteya which literally means non-stealing, but is interpreted to also mean free from greed or to be content with what we have. It’s the ability to find joy and peace with what you have, right here, right now. If we follow Asteya in our life, the world can fall apart around us, but we will remain happy. If we live in the present moment, we do not worry about a past loss or are not concerned about our future. We are happy, right here, right now.

When I learned the news of my broken window, I found that I was not upset. I accepted what had happened and noticed that my emotions were steady. I remained peaceful. My heart was peaceful knowing that I had the skill, the creativity, and the time to make this beautiful Sri Yantra and could make another one if I choose. I was content knowing I had the time to contemplate and meditate on the design. I was happy, because I know as I let this Sri Yantra go, I have gained something more important than the money I would have received from selling the piece. I have gained courage, peace, joy and love.