In an interview, Lynn Jurich, the founder and CEO of the solar energy company Sunrun, shared her morning ritual: she repeats, “All people and all circumstances are my allies.” This struck me as a wise and self-compassionate saying, aligning closely with Buddhist teachings.
Typically, we don’t view everyone and every situation as allies. We often feel opposed to others and see circumstances as unfavorable or not aligning with our desires. The interviewer asked Jurich if she considered her competitor, Elon Musk, as an ally. She affirmed this, explaining that Musk’s work in solar energy also aims to address climate concerns. While she didn’t delve into more examples, other reasons could include that Musk’s improvements in solar projects or marketing can push Jurich’s company to excel. Feeling jealousy towards Musk could teach her about the painful nature of jealousy and the importance of patience.
Jurich’s mantra, “All people and all circumstances are my allies,” might have its roots in Buddhist practice. Buddhist teachings often encourage turning adversity into learning opportunities. For instance, the 8th-century Indian teacher Shantideva wrote about appreciating enemies for helping to develop patience. A later Tibetan teaching advises transforming all mishaps into the path of awakening.
Jurich’s version of this teaching is appealing because it neatly captures the essence of the idea in just eight words, making it easy to memorize and use as a mantra. As a meditator, Jurich incorporates this mantra into her morning meditation routine. This step is crucial because it’s one thing to appreciate the idea and another to embed it into your practice through repetition and focus.
To internalize this mantra, one should start by memorizing it exactly. Test yourself to ensure it’s stored in your long-term memory by repeating it numerous times. Then, dedicate a few minutes daily to meditate on the phrase “All people and all circumstances are my allies.” Let the words sink in, and occasionally think of people or situations that test your patience. Remind yourself that these challenges are allies that help you grow.
If you practice this consistently over time, you’ll likely still encounter frustration but might catch yourself and recall the mantra, transforming your approach. You might even anticipate challenging situations with an open heart, seeing them as learning opportunities.
I’ve recently started using this mantra myself, and it’s already helping me feel more peaceful amidst life’s challenges. Even during interruptions from my son’s constant questions, I remind myself that these distractions are my allies, offering opportunities to express love rather than irritation and to communicate skillfully.
This mantra feels like a blend of self-compassion, compassion for others, and positive affirmation. It’s something simple yet profound, potentially taking years to fully integrate into one’s life. Thank you for expanding and diversifying this practice, both in meditation and daily life!