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meeting this moment
Running, expanding my heart and lungs, moving energy through my body, and being in that cold, cold water… these have been good medicine for me. One morning this reflection poured through me in the process.
She immersed herself in cold winter water and felt the sting on her skin underneath the surface.
She finally sat with the discomfort after trying to wiggle her way out, after running away, after feeling angry for its presence and blaming it for disrupting her sense of peace.
She felt what it was like to be in this moment, with all of it -- heavy and easy, dark and light.
She noticed that suffering felt like resistance and her level of discomfort and suffering was related to her resistance towards what is -- her resistance to the present moment.
She stayed with what is instead of trying to change it, and felt a sliver of peace and love that was steady and always there in every moment.
She witnessed her pain, and other peoples’ pain. But instead of trying to change it, fix it, or somehow try and make it better, she decided to be with all of it.
She noticed there might be a gift in what she was trying to fix and push way. Who am I say how this should go? Who am I know what their experience should be like?
So instead of trying to change the direction of the flow, the course of the water, she stayed with it and breathed with it.
The cold water was her reminder, that while the human body has limitations, exploring her capacity was a curiosity and a new discovery.
She watched how her body helped her to feel this being human. This being human, being in the body, is why she experienced discomfort at times... but also the vessel to support being.
So she stood at the water and asked for help in remembering… Help me remember that my level of suffering is related to my resistance towards what is.
Yes, I offer you that medicine... and this doesn't mean you will not feel any discomfort or pain again. It only means you can be with this moment.
She dipped into the cold water and breathed.
In this moment... in this moment... and in this moment.
Listen to the audio for a meditation I recorded for you to help embody this and remember your own capacity for all that visits you in this moment.
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
— Rumi
Thank you for reading.
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