Celebrity funny-man Owen Wilson is all over tabloid magazines this week for his suicide attempt. It is never funny when someone who seemingly “has it all” (close-knit loving family, oodles of money, every opportunity available, at the peak of his career) attempts to extinguish his own life.

Whatever the reasons, it is clear that his soul is crying out for some kind of clarity and new direction. Wilson (or his “people”) have asked “that the media allow me to receive care and heal in private during this difficult time.” Awesome for him/them - they used the word HEAL in such a high profile situation - now that is using the power of his fame to touch the hearts and minds of many.

My hope for him that he is able to have his mind make the jump from confusion to awareness (however it does) in order for him to actually LIVE in peace. I love this excerpt from Tantric, Yogic Buddhist teacher, Kali Ma about living LIFE:
“Even given all the teachings and trainings of all the Dharmas, life is still beyond our control. We have such a great influence, but we are not dancing alone, we are dancing with the most masterful dancer of all, life-itself. Even when we know all the steps, new dances are always been thrown at us, and we must dance the dances that arise. There will still be pain, change, loss and the unexpected. But we can have an enlightened, loving relationship with pain, change, loss and the unexpected.

The most important part of enlightenment and love is the art of letting go. This is how we finally know life and death. Death gives us the courage to let go and experience loss. It is teaching us of the void, of non-existence, of impermanence, of dissolving forms. It is informing us of how to be fully alive by embracing it in all its forms. It is informing us how to love by teaching about death of the self, about the grave commitment that life and loving is, it is informing us of many truths. It is shining the mirror of impermanence on us so that we can love more fully, more completely, with more commitment. In Tantra, awareness of this principle is called, enjoyment without preconception.”
I will dedicate my meditation and yoga practice to Owen’s healing and growth this week. And if you are dealing with depression, sadness, confusion, anxiety, etc. please take the time to get some assistance. You are not alone and there is plenty of loving support available. I, for one, am a great resource - so start reaching OUT while you journey IN.

Namaste.