There were not many people who were not fond of Queen Elizabeth.
She gleaned respect and behaved in a dignified manner for over nine decades.
While many people worldwide see royalty in general as a form of elitism, Queen Elizabeth was able to hold herself in quiet grace that was respectful of all.
Psychologically speaking, she could lead while rarely or never insulting anyone. That is a skill I've only observed in the Dalia Lama, or the late Thich Nhat Hanh, to name just two of a handful.
She did not express her personal opinions outwardly.
In over six decades as sovereign, she did not offend, demean or cast judgment despite being such a public personality.
She was both public and incredibly private, which was part of her charisma's mystery and beauty.
The Four Noble Truths of Queen Elizabeth
In Buddhism, there are four noble truths that the late Queen embodied, even though she was not Buddhist. Paraphrasing the noble truths, let's explore.
- Investigation of Suffering - From an early age, the Queen knew that suffering existed. She experienced this with the passing of her father, and some of her relationships, including the relationship with her sister and even the relationship with her children and grandchildren.
- Origin of Suffering Explored- As a young Queen, she had to sacrifice quite a bit and understood that sacrifices were part of the suffering that she had to experience. Her freedom, autonomy, and the weight of her responsibilities were part of this noble truth.
- Realization of Suffering - The late Queen knew there was hope and conveyed that hope to those directly in her reign and the world. Suffering exists, but it does not have to be an identity, and she was able to convey this through subtle actions and concise words.
- Developing Release of Suffering- Queen Elizabeth created a path to end suffering for her family, country, and the world. Always with poise, she taught by example and encouraged others globally.
Her passing is and will continue to cause mourning across the world.
You might be wondering why you are mourning the late Queen when you didn't even know her.
It is entirely normal for close friends and family of course, to mourn her.
Why are we feeling the ripple effect of the loss in our small towns, villages, and in cities across the globe?
She has left a lasting mark.
Many of us have our entire lives dotted with her presence, even through television.
Her life intersected with ours indirectly, and those moments were part of our memories; there might have been moments when we had our struggles, milestones, or celebrations.
We know we will never see her wave again from the castle, a carriage, or while greeting a line of people. There is a part of us that has lost a mainstay in our lives.
Mourning the Queen
While it may be sad, try to reflect on the interconnectedness, as the late Thich Nhat Hanh had taught, that we all have; regardless of status, time, space or place; we connected to her and to each other. We have as shared experienced in part, shaped by her very presence.
Because of her, we knew Lady Diana and others we admired from the family; she was the Queen of all of our hearts.
You might not be able to explain your sorrow or the void you feel because you might not understand it fully yourself, but you do not have to explain it to anyone. The complexity of your feelings does not mark them as invalid.
The insight into our own hearts brings us to compassion for others and to understanding that we suffer together; we rejoice together.
The late Queen stood for a legacy.
She is a legacy- that did not pass.
The loss of Queen Elizabeth is filled with not void but the pulse of the hearts of many, across the world.