Storms: June 29 - July 5

Maybe because June begins with gay pride, maybe because my birthday falls in the middle of the month, or maybe because I eagerly await the summer solstice each year, I love June. However, almost every week since January, I've struggled whether to write about the things that bring me delight and strength or my fears and difficulties. Mindfulness challenges me to pay attention honestly to both joys and sorrows, the highs, the lows and the in-betweens. I practice week after week so as to learn how to hold both realities.

 June is also a month of storms. Storms come in a variety of forms these days. Personally, I don't know anyone who is not feeling it. Close friends have lost jobs. People I love are dealing with life threatening illnesses. Our country is at war. The list goes on and on. So many times I find myself not knowing what to do or what to say. During times like these, I feel lost.

That is not exactly true. Actually mindfulness teaches me the first action to take. Before I react, before I despair, before I do anything, I pause and take a breath. Maybe I take many breaths. I stop to allow the swirl of chaos to subside. Rather than run away, I feel my feelings. I check in to see what is happening inside. I listen deeply. I try to get in touch with what matters most. Sometimes I know what to do next. Often I still have no clue. Nevertheless, I don't regret taking a moment to be quiet enough to listen to my heart. I recommend the same to you.

Practice

No matter if it is sunny or stormy, tuck yourself away in a quiet corner where you won't be disturbed for a little bit. Feel the ground beneath your feet to cultivate a sense of stability. Breathe in and out slowly to communicate safety to your body. Place your hand on your heart as a sign of self-compassion. Take a moment to settle in.

No need to change anything. No need to force anything. See what naturally arises. It could be a thought, an emotion, a memory, a feeling. Can you make room for it to simply be? If at any point it feels like too much, you are free to go no further. Return to the breath or simply end the meditation. However, if it feels okay, lean into the moment. Explore where you feel it in the body. As you bring awareness to it, does it get bigger or smaller? Can you continue to hold it with compassion? Maybe invite your wiser self, the memory of a loved one, or a spiritual resource to be present. Can you hold it together? Remain in quiet stillness. Maybe a sort of inner knowing emerges. Maybe not. Trust your innate wisdom.

When this process feels complete, bring the meditation to a close. Maybe a particular action became clear. If so, you now know what to do. Honor yourself for your willingness to face life as it emerges. Through the day, continue to pay attention to both life's gifts and its challenges. With practice, the heart can hold more and more.