Divinity is found
Within you and I
But also ego
All humans have this battle within
Dark & light
Devil & angel
Ego & divine
Grow the divine fertile seeds with love & compassion
Acknowledge the ego
Bow to it
Feed it carefully
Feed it with understanding
Care for the darker side
For in caring for the dark we grow the light
The darkest moments of my life led to the most transformation. The darkness brings self-reflection, awareness, and focus. This is only if we do not numb the pain with alcohol, drugs, and/or overeating. When a family member suddenly dies or a relationship ends, we can have moments of pure awareness and clarity on what led to this moment in time.
My first experience with this transformation was when I was honest with my ex-fiance about my infidelity. She left me the following day. At first, I numbed myself with distraction but when her parents moved all her stuff out of our studio I was forced to sit in a dark & empty apartment. My first reaction was to run away and move to a new place. Luckily I chose to stay in my empty studio. The following weeks I cried every night in sorrow. Pain, suffering, and anxiety filled each moment until one day I picked up a book called “Buddhist Bootcamp” by Timber Hawkeye. Suddenly I was meditated 1 hour a day, reading, writing, eating healthier, and working out every day. I quit smoking and significantly cut down on drinking alcohol. My days were now filled with joy instead of sorrow. This all took place from March-May 2015 in San Luis Obispo, CA. Since then I have fallen back into old habits, relearn lessons, and also had new transformations from suffering. I began a journey of self-love, peace, forgiveness, and acceptance; a journey I am currently still on (and always will be). There is no destination on this path, only the love of the journey itself.
The famous Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh says “No Mud, No Lotus”. The beautiful lotus flower grows in the darkest and muddiest environments; I truly believe humans are much the same as the beautiful lotus flower. The right environment for growth usual consists of awareness, compassion, and love while we are suffering. Once we learn how to suffer, we suffer much less. Suffering can actually be the most transformative process of life if we allow it to be.
Through the darkness, we can transform ourselves and become the light to see out of the darkness. We accept the darker side of ourselves (and the world) with compassion, understanding, and peace. In this practice, we feed the light while accepting the dark. This allows for peace instead of war. The key to transformation is to sit with ourselves through the pain instead of distraction or numbing the pain. The coldest winters of my life have always ended with a warm inviting spring. All is impermanent, even the darkest of times.
With Aloha,
Johnny Hoffman
I can always find something wrong
Something to worry about
Complain about
My mind is gifted at causing my own suffering
Untrained & disobedient
It drifts from lane to lane
Speeding at 130mph down the highway
Out of control
Rarely grateful
Often a victim
Always right
All else is wrong
Happiness always found around the corner
Grand delusions of
Discipline, commitment, and focus
Today I can make an effort to pave this new path
If not now
Then when?
When we are lost
When we hit the lowest of lows
There is always light
Light within us
Surrounding us at every moment
Let the wind dry your tears
For every storm will pass
The sun will rise once more
Bringing light into the darkness
I am not my job.
I am not my college diploma.
I am not defined by the amount of money in my bank account.
I am not my religion or lack of one.
I am not my skin color.
I am not defined by my car, clothes, or stuff.
Careers are overrated.
Stuff is just stuff.
Money is paper we give meaning to.
We are much more.
There is much wisdom found in the mountains.
Knowledge found in a flowing stream.
Follow the waves as they form & dissipate in the ocean.
Go to mother nature.
Sit, walk, & listen.
Let her heal you of your suffering.
Let the wind dry your tears.
The answers you seek will be found here.
Within you.
Because you are an extension of her beauty.
Namaste 🙏🏼
Inside me
There is darkness
Greed, fear & even hatred
Inside me
There is light
Compassion, forgiveness & love.
I acknowledge both
For there can not be light without the dark
I vow to acknowledge the greed, fear, anger, and hatred with me
But to feed the seeds of love, compassion, and faith
To love both of them unconditionally
To acknowledge the light & darkness within myself and all
Large waves damage my ship as I navigate the path unknown.
But my anchor stays steady.
It has been with me since my first moment of life.
And will last until my final moment.
My breath is my anchor.
It will help me navigate any hard times.
Breathing in I find my balance.
Breathing out I know that all will be okay.
Breathe in peace.
Breathe out gratitude.
Breathe in I know that my anchor will hold strong.
Thank you.
You are loved
Precious
Important
Your life matters
A continuation of your ancestors
A rebirth of a dying star
A diamond in the rough
In the vast infinite universe
How quickly we forget
The preciousness of life
Including our own
Through the darkness, we shall rise
Rise like the sun
Bringing light into the darkness
For we are all holy men & women
Lost in the sea of fear
We have forgotten our true nature
Of compassion & love
We are disoriented by distraction
Haunted by our past
Paralyzed by the path unknown ahead of us
We cling to material wealth & status
Fearful to take risks for the true life we desire
So how do we begin this journey?
Don’t worry
The answer lies within you
Good luck
The Narrow Path 