These days, with so much searing grief over our world, I find myself moving back and forth between nourishing my heart and leaning in to the suffering.
We all need a way to step back sometimes and take care of ourselves. There's a difference between letting our hearts break open and sinking in sorrow or despair. Opening skillfully to pain strengthens us. Falling into it immobilizes us.
One practice that's been helping me stay open to the pain is tuning into the goodness in my life and our world, cultivating a connection with it, and dwelling there—almost as one might rest in a open field.
There's endless good within and around us, if only we stop to appreciate it: the early morning air, birds singing at dusk, fresh food, the kind gaze of a friend. We can learn to notice and relish the goodness of such moments. When I do, these moments of quiet appreciation soothe my heart, restore and sustain me. They soften and open me to all that aches.
We can practice recollecting such moments and the goodness in our lives at any time: when we rise, before a meal, as we lie down to sleep. We can also practice recollecting this as a meditation itself. It's less about doing something and more about receiving a blessing.
For is not each moment of goodness a gift? Each breath, every sunrise. Amidst so much uncertainty and heartsickness, let us not overlook what's available. We can slow down. We can take time to breathe, to drink in the nourishment that is available for each of us.
To take this up as a meditation: bring to mind anything you feel grateful for, or any moment that connects you with goodness. Invite your attention to settle there, to rest with that remembering. Then, begin to notice how it feels in your heart and your body. Let everything else fade to the margins. Dwell in the goodness of that moment. Imagine it filling you, then spreading all around you — a great warmth that connects you with the good in others and all of life.
Orienting towards the good in life is a skill. Practicing it taps into a wellspring of healing, vitality, and strength. And from that gentle strength, there is room to feel and bear witness to all that is crying out for our love.
Learn More About This Practice
I go into greater detail about this process and related contemplative practices in my book, Your Heart Was Made For This. I'm happy to let you know about some discounts that are available as of Sept 15, 2024.
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