How To Be In A Time Like This

Dear Friends,

It feels like the whole world is watching and waiting. I certainly have that feeling. This morning when I awoke I was aware of the fact that so much of humanity is showing up to support the people of Ukraine. It feels like a tremendous relief and a restoration of faith in our goodness. Though the struggle has been going on there for years, it has turned a corner and crossed a costly line to which our hearts are responding. Thank goodness. If you feel compassion, or heartbreak, or the desire to help, this is a very good thing. It means you are awake and very much alive. 

This morning I also awoke to a blue sky and sun here in New Jersey and am reminding myself that beauty and suffering co-exist. We don't have to miss the good amidst the pain. When we forget this, all there is is suffering and we can't be of service to anyone. In these times, when we are across the world in relative safety and the goings-on of our lives appears relatively normal, it can feel like we are not doing anything, that we are helpless. But we are always making choices that affect those around us and those across the globe from us for years to come. Choices in what we consume, what energy we contribute to the world, what seeds we water in our thoughts, words, and actions. Though this may seem insignificant at this very moment, it is not. What we do right now in our everyday is what creates this world. We impact our children and generations to come in our behavior and interactions right now. And so, when we inevitably feel powerless in these moments when a war is underway, we can take refuge in our practice. We can practice staying calm, grounded, compassionate, peaceful, grateful. We can practice kindness, appreciation, joy. We are powerful in this way. We do what we can to help the people of Ukraine, to show our support, to share our resources, AND we deepen our commitment to living mindfully and spreading peace. Living mindfully takes time and we need to make it. As Thich Nhat Hanh would say, we work now to stop a war many years from now.

My invitation this week is to commit to the practices you engage in that help you to feel steady, clear, present, and those activities that bring you a sense of connection. If you have the resources to give, here is a list of organizations that are are helping Ukraine. Two others: Nova Ukraine and Care.

May the people of Ukraine be safe. May the people of Russia be safe. May all beings everywhere be safe. May all of our leaders be filled with a reverence for life. May we all be free.

🌻
Jean

P.S. Not sure how to stay calm, how to practice? Weekly drop-in meditations are by donation and are open to anyone. Simply follow along. For more instruction, a Beginning Meditation Series starts on 3/22 or reach out and we can have a discovery call to see what is right for you.