mairedodd

mjd offerings p. 42

it's ok to still be raw, be numb - i am. this was a shock - for me, the grief has everything to do with what was validated by so many. my heart is still fluttery with anxiety. but less than yesterday. 

so the fact remains -

we are here

now.

we are not in uncharted waters - history gives us much guidance for cases like this. 

we have seen that people with conviction, love and compassion can move mountains in the face of adversity. so let's start (in a focused and intentioned way) strengthening and stretching those muscles.

perhaps we begin thinking about metta practice or loving kindness meditation. 

the idea that 'just as i want to be happy, all beings want to be happy'

it starts with directing it towards the self - 

because how can we help others if we are not taking care of ourselves?

metta progresses - 

from "i"

to a benefactor

a being(s) for whom you feel love

a being(s) for whom you feel neutral 

a being(s) for whom your feelings are conflicted 

thich nhat hanh gives us this to work with:

may i be peaceful, happy and light in body and spirit

may i be safe and free from injury

may i be free from anger, afflictions, fear and anxiety.

as your practice progresses, 

you will recite this with 'i', with 's/he' and 'they'.

but we aren't at the end yet. 

we're at the beginning. 

let's start with love - 

loving ourselves so we can extend love to others in a healthy way -

and kindness.

you are a light in the darkness

you are important and necessary

you are allowed to be sad and disappointed (or whatever you are feeling)

but please don't get stuck there. 

we can do this - 

together. 

it's been done before and we can continue the tradition. 

namaste -