Inner Peace in a Hurricane

Flying through Hurricane Callum

Last October 2018, I flew through hurricane Callum en route to Bristol. When the plane left Dublin, I had no idea there was a storm, let alone a hurricane, raging over England, specifically over Bristol. I have no idea why my flight took off. As we approached Bristol we flew directly into the hurricane and were battered by violent winds causing the plane to lurch hideously off balance again and again and AGAIN. Winds howled and screamed outside the plane and inside everyone became deathly silent.

Pure Fear

I was certain the plane was going to crash and that I would die. I clutched the armrests, rigid with terror. But after a couple of minutes of pure fear, I realised that given there was nothing I could do to change the situation, I needed to accept it, and face it. So, I accepted that I was about to die. I truly accepted it. I did not fight it. I stopped my inner panic and in an effort to comfort myself, I told myself, ‘It won’t last too long, then it will be over, and I will be with God.’ And then I lost my fear. I began to breathe calmly. I loosened my grip on the armrest and prepared to meditate.

Meditative State of Mind

Years of meditation and practicing Inner Peace allowed me quickly to enter my meditative state of mind. I began to breathe calmly; I repeated my mantras such as ‘I am in peace; I am in Love; All is well….’. I was present to the fact that this seemed to be the end for me. I visualised the Light of Love waiting for me and focused my attention on the good that was waiting to open to me. I became still.

At Peace

I reflected on how good it was to know that I am at peace with everyone in my life. I thought of my beautiful children and much I love them. I thought of how much I love all those close to me, and how grateful I am for their love. I was grateful to know that I had come to place of peace about my own failings and also with those who triggered me. I realised that if I died, as I expected to do in the next few minutes, that I was ready to go and meet the Light of God without reservation. Within a few short minutes, I had talked myself down from the highest imaginable level of anxiety to calm acceptance of how things were. All the while, the plane was being battered and thrown about by the winds.

Relief

Several long minutes later, the plane escaped the violent clutches of the hurricane, the sickening rocking of the plane subsided, the noise of the storm reduced, the plane straightened, and the pilot landed us safely on the ground. Instantly, everyone cheered, clapping madly, smiling, turning to each other and sharing deep smiles and expressions of relief and joy that we had survived.

Gratitude

I immediately thought of the pilot and felt a sense of awe at the nerves of absolute steel they must have to fly that plane to safety. I said prayers of gratitude.

The Eye at the Centre of the Storm

There is an eye of calm at the centre of every storm. This is the place to seek out when we face the challenges of life – the inner place of peace and stillness.