Shelter in place

I’m suspending my teacher stories temporarily to speak to the covid-19 situation we all find ourselves in. It seems life has put us, ready or not, on a mandatory home retreat. Instead of going to work, school, on vacation or meetings we are advised to stay home.  Impermanence tells us that this is territory we are just moving through.  Over time stock markets fall only to rise again and humans have lived through many other challenging times and still managed to make love, make art, invent, and move forward.

Those of us who have been on meditation retreats before may feel a familiar sensation as more and more distractions are taken away from us. We can see this as a time for retreat and reflection. It is also a time to be kind to those who are not used to silence and help those less fortunate then we are, in any way that presents itself. But mostly we are called to turn within, let go of distractions and remember our own resourcefulness. It is a time to paint, to dance, to meditate, to cook and to share stories with friends and loved ones, both present and virtual. Lynn Ungar writes:

Pandemic

What if you thought of it

as the Jews consider the Sabbath—

the most sacred of times?

Cease from travel.

Cease from buying and selling.

Give up, just for now,

on trying to make the world

different than it is.

Sing. Pray. Touch only those

to whom you commit your life.

Center down.

And when your body has become still,

reach out with your heart.

Know that we are connected

in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.

(You could hardly deny it now.)

Know that our lives

are in one another's hands.

(Surely, that has come clear.)

Do not reach out your hands.

Reach out your heart.

Reach out your words.

Reach out all the tendrils

of compassion that move, invisibly,

where we cannot touch.

Promise this world your love--

for better or for worse,

in sickness and in health,

so long as we all shall live.

We have developed a zoom online meditation opportunity every morning and evening for meditation guidance, a short 20 minute meditation and closing. We would love to see you there-it is our gift and all are welcome regardless of level of experience.

Join us in online meditation each weekday. For more information go to:

https://www.awakeningathome.org/

Stay safe, keep growing, enjoy your own company, and don’t loose your sense of humor,