Grief from the physical death of a loved one, friend or acquaintance is something we all have either experienced or understand. However, grief comes in many forms and always constitutes a loss of one kind or another.
During these pandemic times, many of us are grieving the loss of a job, income, social congeniality and our day to day accustomed freedoms. And all the emotions which usually accompany grief are manifesting in so many ways - all contrary to our well-being. What has arisen are feelings of anxiety (fear), stress, depression, worry and self-doubt and all the emotional suffering arising from this different aspect of grief.
How do we heal? How long will it take? The only apparent answer is “that’s up to you!” We can seek therapy. We can take meds. We can talk to family and friends via phone or internet. We can trust in our personal faith. And then, there is the option of Meditation. It may not be an instant cure-all, but it is an effective tool that will pry loose those feelings of dismay and disorientation that have turned our lives upside down. With Mindfulness we learn to allow the feelings, to become aware of them and then release them so that we can move forward with a balanced and productive life.
“As people become more anxious as they self-quarantine at home, Diana Winston, director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center, says a Mindfulness Meditation practice has been proven to alleviate stress, depress depression and insomnia, as a way to cope.”- LA Times
Vicki Overfelt, the founder of Mindfulness Utah, says “It’s easy to get caught up in the existential angst of it all, and meditation helps us understand and work with the overwhelming stress,” -Washington Post
As a meditation practitioner of 50 years+ and as a meditation teacher, “I hold these truths to be self-evident”. Mindful Meditation requires acceptance, curiosity, a discipline to practice and a desire for change and self-discovery, and of course, a non-judgmental observation of our thoughts. It is challenging, yet easy to learn. The Dalai Lama tells us that “Mindfulness is the key to meditation, as well as continuous effort. Do not expect results right away. Just keep practicing”.
We can get through these times. It is of little solace to be reminded about the law of impermanence (that all will pass) especially when our despair is NOW. But we must find a balance between “holding on” and letting go”. “The key to keeping your balance is knowing when you’ve lost it.” That’s why we must act in the present to make choices to alleviate our immediate suffering. A daily practice of Mindfulness Meditation is one of those choices. Have time any spare time these days?
“Promise me you will always remember! You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” (A.A. Milner-Winnie the Pooh)
NEXT SERIES OF ONLINE ZOOM CLASSES BEGIN JUNE 20th. Visit themeditationtree.com for more info and to register.