Dear friends,
There is cause to be anxious right now. As I write this, I feel the effects of uncertainty and transitions all around me. The weather is changing towards winter. The daily and night temperatures are dropping. My beautiful flowers are drying up. Leaves are dropping off trees and summer's green is quickly turning to brown. It is election season in the US; one that is particularly uncertain. (I voted early today!) If we pay attention to world and national news, we see so much suffering, confusion, and fear.
Generally there is nothing wrong with feeling anxious or concerned.
Feeling nervous, having shortness of breath, and a rapid heart beat are normal in a life emergency. They are signals that we aren't safe. But when we're controlled by these feelings to the point where we can't respond appropriately or we can't care for ourselves or others, then we need tools to handle life with more equanimity.
Meditation helps us tremendously during times of uncertainty and change.
A short body scan brings our attention to the present moment and can help us ground our body, mind and spirit. We can notice sensations in the soles of our feet, acknowledging our connection to the earth. We can feel the cooling sensation of the breeze on our skin. We can relax our shoulders and eyebrows. We can bring a slight smile to our lips. We can take shelter in the calming in and out breath.
We can do this when standing, sitting, or walking. We can do it when driving or sitting on a bus. We can do it at our place of work or in line at the grocery store. There is documented research on the calming effects of mindful body awareness and it only takes about 10-12 minutes a day to reap the benefits.
Will you join me for a mindful moment right now?
