Our Scars Are Symbols
we can turn our wounds into strength and beauty distinctive of who we are
Dear Friend,
Once upon a time, deep in the jungle forests of India, a monkey was born. Kesari Suta was not an ordinary monkey for his mother was the princess Anjaneya and at birth, he was blessed by Vayu, god of the wind. Kesari named after his father, was a shapeshifter and with his innate charisma, he magnetically attracted the forest animals and monkey kingdom with ease and grace. Kesari possessed great siddhis or superpowers and depending on the circumstance had abilities to become as heavy as an elephant, weightless as a speck of dust, expand at will or contract as small as an atom; and bilocate whenever the need, with complete sovereignty over his senses.
The pesky problem with bestowing grand powers to a young monkey god was that Kesari had no idea the extent of his capabilities. He was immature, playful, and precocious.
One early morning while cavorting in the forest with his mates, the rising sun poked through the canopy of trees looking very much like the succulent mangos he adorned. One big fat juicy round mango ready for the taking.
Kesari leaped with arm outstretched and hand poised to grab hold of the brilliant mango sun. Indra, king of the gods, sensing the danger of a total blackout, just in the nick of time aimed his thunderbolt directly at the young god striking him on the cheek. Kesari fell unconscious to the forest floor where all the creatures were stunned silent.
Vayu, always nearby, pleaded with Indra to save the life of the young monkey now disfigured from the blow. Fed up with Kesari’s antics, Indra agrees with the condition that Kesari forgets that he possesses the boons - gifts, that Vayu gave him upon birth. And only, if necessary, the world depends on it, would the monkey god regain memory of his superpowers through the urgent appeal of a friend.
From that day forward Kesari the monkey god was known throughout the kingdom as Hanuman, meaning disfigured or broken jaw.
Throughout India Hanuman is a favorite mythical god, for good reason. The Hanuman story is rich with metaphors and truths which my telling is only a cursory glimpse.
Like Hanuman, you and I also carry wounds and disfigurements. While our scars may be physically visible we may also carry wounds that are hidden below the skin. Carried deep within our psyches and spirit.
One concept that we learn as the tale of Hanuman unfolds through the years is that his broken jaw, often referred to as a stain, becomes his mark of distinction and a thing of beauty. He wears his disfigurement without shame. Hanuman understands it to be a symbol of his experience which he has alchemized until it became a strength.
A gift of the Hanuman myth is the recognition and confidence that we too can tend to our wounds and alchemize them. Given time, space, knowledge, and a desire for integration we have the power to turn our base metal into gold. To not simply intellectualize the process of integration, but to do the work that’s required of us to make beauty out of our life experiences.
Hanuman represents our ability to be self-reflective. To ask ourselves; how has my fall from the spaciousness of the sky shown me the ground of my being? What exactly do I believe in? What do I deeply care about? What are my gifts? How best do I serve?
Bhavana, the Practice of Self-Inquiry
What painful experience has helped you become who you are today?
What did it take for you to alchemize and integrate your disfigurement and learn to wear it as a symbol of strength instead of shame?
Are you willing to be vulnerable despite the risk?
Myths are woven with powerful truths. The Hanuman story is no exception. I will return to this tale soon as there are further threads for us to consider.
With love and appreciation, Paulette
P.S. Stay tuned for details on The Haven’s inaugural workshop coming in April for paid subscribers.
Thanks for sharing this story, Paulette! I love the premise that our scars are symbols.