To qualify as a facilitator for a mindfulness session for employees, a requirement was to complete a standard 8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) class. Since large gatherings were discouraged, our 8th session was held via teleconference on March 15,2020. Among the list of resources shared after the MBSR session was a one-time virtual “mitigation retreat” which evolved into a daily 13-week global mitigation retreat hosted by the founder of MBSR with daily reflections, formal and informal mindfulness practices followed by daily question and answer periods.
These daily 13-week virtual global mitigation sessions which ended during June 2020 were not only timely during the pandemic, but also now as we re-enter this new season with less restrictions, less turbulence, less heaviness and less uneasiness. How do we enter this new phase with more calmness, presence of mind, balance and flexibility?
Intentionally. Our default mode may be to pick up or continue where we left off prior to the pandemic, returning to day-to-day mindless activities. As we move towards some sense of normalcy, we can decide that our lives are important enough and valuable enough to carve out time every day to slow down or just be still.
Non-Judging. We have each experienced the past year differently and through different lens. We can pay attention to, watch and be aware of our natural impulse to judge ourselves, judge others, fixate on or react based upon how things should be, or compare our situation to others.
Effort. After more than a year of restrictions and limitations, we can mindfully and safely move forward with life, not pushing too hard (recklessly) or staying too laid back (anxiously).
Self-discipline. The toll that the pandemic has taken and continues to take on our mental health is real. We can intentionally take care of our inner well-being (mind, soul, spirit) as well as our outer being (physical, material).
Patience. After postponing many activities, we can look forward or plan to resume our lives but still allow things to unfold in their own time.
Trust. Although we are not 100% certain of many things, we can trust ourselves, trust our mind, trust our own experiences and what we have learned over the past year to guide us as we move forward.
Beginner’s Mind. As we enter a new sense of normalcy, we can choose to become less opinionated, stay open to new possibilities and at times acknowledge that it is okay for us to not know or have all the answers, nor expect the same from others.
Acceptance. At this time, we can see things as they are right now, in the present moment, whether we like them or not. After the prior year, expecting to return to what was prior to the pandemic may or may not be reasonable.
Non-Striving. We can do the best we can, not pushing or forcing, not persistently trying to get somewhere or to achieve an outcome. If we are fully engaged and doing the best we can, we are doing enough.
Letting Go. Over the past year, we have had to reconsider or reimagine many ways of socializing, working and living while letting go of our strong attachment to wanting things to be a certain way. In the process, we have somewhat adapted to many new ways of doing basic activities.
Self-Compassion / Generosity. After all that we’ve experienced, and continue to experience, we can treat ourselves and others with compassion and kindness. Why? Just for being alive and being human.
Allow
By Danna Faulds
There is no controlling life.
Try corralling a lightning bolt,
containing a tornado. Dam a
stream and it will create a new
channel. Resist, and the tide
will sweep you off your feet.
Allow, and grace will carry
you to higher ground. The only
safety lies in letting it all in –
the wild and the weak; fear,
fantasies, failures and success.
When loss rips off the doors of
the heart, or sadness veils your
vision with despair, practice
becomes simply bearing the truth.
In the choice to let go of your
known way of being, the whole
world is revealed to your new eyes.
