Too Many Rocks in Your Bowl

Recently, I was taught a simplified version of a cultural tradition. The idea is that we all have a bowl that we carry in our hands, placed near our chests, and we all have a golden light that shines out into the world. As we go about our days, rocks representing our anger, guilt, and transgressions (both against us and committed by us) build up in that bowl that we are carrying. Much of the time, we aren't even aware that our bowl is full. We have learned to carry it without recognizing that the weight of the bowl has become heavy and blocks our light. As was explained to me, our better selves are waiting to shine through. The main question is how to empty that bowl and start fresh.

Some may ask God for forgiveness and others may ask forgiveness from those they transgressed — but what if we also visualized emptying our bowl, forgiving all, and beginning to experience that golden light that comes from within and connects us with others? Like changing the batteries in a flashlight, there is a process; it takes work, but ultimately the light shines and can showcase our path.

I am a visual learner, so as this metaphor was being explained to me, I saw those rocks in my hands blocking my heart. I saw the light that could and should shine out from my heart. I come from a Catholic tradition, where confession could accomplish the same feeling; but, I never saw that confession booth as a place to unburden myself, like my recent ancestors did. To me, the confessional looked and felt foreboding. However, a bowl of rocks and a shining light… that felt freeing and accessible. 

I wish I had known this simple visualization years ago, when I could have used it with my children and my students. It is so simple to “see,” easy to understand and put into practice. It is a way to expose our better selves, to allow us to work towards not refilling that bowl, but always emptying it when we need to. What if, as we begin each day, we allow the beautiful, golden light from our hearts to shine through? 

Perhaps at meal time, when we ask our kids about their days and they speak of hardships that fill their bowls, we leave a bowl in the middle of the table and we remove rocks as they share their experiences. The goal is to leave us with an empty bowl, allowing our kids and ourselves to start fresh and experience our true and better selves. Ultimately, I want to feel that light and do everything I can not to acquire any more rocks of negativity.