Hands: June 21 - 27
This is a special Father's Day for Patrick and me. In February, Jaden, our son, became a dad and we became grandfathers. It is amazing how a little one changes generations of lives. I love watching my son grow as a human being. Fatherhood has stretched him in new ways and he has never been happier. He is getting the chance to reparent himself as he discovers how to be a loving father. What a gift!
While milestones like these are a wonderful chance for reflection and appreciation, the truth is every moment is an opportunity to begin again and to heal from the pain of the past. Each breath is a chance to let go of what has been and to receive a new start, to offer a prayer of gratitude for all of the hands that have held us along the way.
Practice
This week's meditation is based on the Meditation of the Ancestors, first shared by my teacher Ellen Kittredge and interpreted by me.
I love to meditate outside where I can feel the sun on my skin, hear the window blowing through the trees, and rest my bones on the earth but any quiet space will do. Arrive in the moment. Take in your surroundings and appreciate the life around you. Take in your breath and appreciate the life within you.
In your imagination, picture yourself standing in a beautiful meadow or atop a breathtaking mountain. Hummingbirds and dragonflies buzz through the air. The sun bathes you in its warmth and you are at peace.
Now picture your parents, your caregivers, those who have loved you throughout your life standing behind you. Each places a hand on your shoulder as if to impart a blessing. You receive their gift of love and hold it within your heart.
Next you picture their parents, their caregivers, and those who have loved them standing behind them with their hands on their shoulders. Sense as the presence of love is amplified.
Repeat the process as successive generations of ancestors appear, each adding their collective wisdom and history and hopes and well wishes. You look back over your shoulder and witness a parade of loved ones extending through the field, down the mountain, across valleys and through time immemorial. All of these people have contributed to who you are today. Honor them.
As you continue to look back, you catch the eye of a beloved ancestor here and another one there. They seem to rise above the throng and look directly at you, imparting particular blessings and understandings. They have waited and longed for this day and your presence. Receive their gifts. Treasure them.
Then you look ahead. You are surprised to see those you have parented and mentored and loved. Beyond them, you see future generations. You see far ahead and your heart overflows with wisdom and history and hopes and well wishes for those yet to come. Bless them.
As you continue to look ahead, your eye catches future beloveds here and there. They seem to rise above the crowd and you look directly into their eyes, imparting particular blessings and understandings. They will wait and long for your presence and your gifts. Dream them into being.
Soon it is time to leave this sacred place but before you go, you look backward and forward one more time. You notice ribbons of silver light and ribbons of golden light flowing through your heart, connecting you to countless others before and after. You have never been alone. Even now, you carry their light within you.
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