Mindfulness in tumultuous times
We've recently had a few people ask about how to make sense of meditation and mindfulness while living in such tumultuous times. It is a really good question and something that I have often contemplated over the years. Here are a few of my thoughts about how mindfulness might be useful while there are unjust, unkind and tragic things happening in the world.
Meditation can serve to bring some acceptance to the way that things are. Not to say it’s okay, or to stop fighting for the world that we want to live in for both ourselves and generations to come, but rather to cultivate enough peace within so that we can move from a place of inner strength and trust. To feel our feet on the ground and know deep in our bones that what’s happening isn’t okay and that no one deserves to be harmed in these ways. To feel our jaws tighten with rage toward injustice and take a moment to breathe and allow the jaw to soften so that we don’t cause further harm to ourselves.
I recommend the Emotions Series, the Relationship to Self Series and the Relationship to Others Series as ways to build trust, peace and strength within so that we can relate to our selves and others with compassion and integrity (even in, especially in, times of conflict).
I'll sign off with a breathing practice and a little quote inspiration for anyone who might be feeling turbulence around them.
Inhale courage. Exhale peace.
““There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.””
