No Problems: June 2 - 8

The other morning, I was meditating and watched my mind create one problem after another for no good reason. It was a bit amusing, surprising, and disturbing.

I started out sitting as I usually do. A voice inside then scolded me for slumping into a lazy posture and only haphazardly paying attention to my breath. My inner critic questioned if I had really made any progress after nearly a decade of meditation. Seriously, I had just sat down. There really was no problem yet my mind thought otherwise.

I recognized the pattern of self-criticism and then let it go. I settled a little more deeply into my breath and into my body. Then my knee yelled at me. At almost 62, it likes to complain in the morning. Then a cascade of dark thoughts followed. What if I never run again? What if I continue to gain weight? What if I get sick? What if I get old and someone has to take care of me? Now two minutes into meditation and my body basically told me I'm dying. There really was no problem yet my body felt otherwise.

I recognized the pattern of resisting the aging process and tried to let go. I heard the birds singing outside and for a moment relaxed into nature. But in the calm and stillness, a bunch of new voices clamored for my immediate attention. When are you going to finish the project at work? When are you going to pay that bill? What's for breakfast? What are you going to do about that family situation? Now five minutes into meditation and everything I needed to fix in my life came crashing in. The wiser part of me knew I was not likely to solve any of these issues before breakfast. There really were no problems I needed to attend to before I launched into the day even when life suggested otherwise.

I recognized the patterns of believing there is something wrong with everything and it is somehow my responsibility to save the world starting with my family, my job, the climate and democracy. For the next 15 minutes, in spite of the voice in my head, the groans of my body, and the demands of life, there were no problems. In the present moment, I had everything I needed. Nothing needed to change, not even me. And that is the beauty and freedom of meditation.

Practice

Today's mantra is "No Problems."

Arrive exteriorly and interiorly. Are you short on time? Are you short on attention? Is your meditation space a mess? No problems. Nothing to be fixed. Honor yourself for showing up just as you are in the present moment.

Check in with the body. Tune into the breath. Are you tired, grumpy, or achy? Practice self-kindness and adjust your position as needed. Send the breath to those places that need extra love. Truly there are no problems. Nothing to be fixed. Appreciate the body and the gift of life just as it is.

Inevitably the mind will distract you with its concerns and wishes. It may even call you names and get stuck in old patterns. Recognize the mind's games and thank it for protecting you and caring for your survival. The heart may fret and cry. It might bring up painful hurts and sad memories. Place your hand on your heart with compassion and kindness.  Befriend the head and heart. Hold them as you would a scared child. Love them into wholeness. The time for action will come but, in this moment, in this very second, as the heart beats and the lungs breath, there is no problem. There is nothing to fix. There is nothing to change. There is just now. Just be.

Even when the tides of life rushes back in, remain in this place of stillness. Paradoxically, both realities are true. The world needs us to care and take action and love all its broken parts. And we are already loved beyond measure. We are exactly as we should be. No problems.