As I have been observing my personal reactions over the past week, in response to what is transpiring in the US after our recent election process, I find myself continuously checking my innate human tendency towards judgment – judging others, judging myself, judging my own reactions. Trying to hold onto the idea of courageous compassion, I find myself challenged to hold space for my hopes for peace, understanding, and nonviolence balanced by my deep sadness and anger. What is the right proportion of the two for me? How should they inspire and inform my ways of being going forward? This morning I came across the following quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:
If we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious values – that all reality hinges on moral foundations and that all reality has spiritual control. I must admit, I have not read the entire speech from which this quote was lifted. I must do so, but this morning as I write, here is my interpretation… If we are to go forward, we must go back to rediscover [our] precious values. This is powerful. Going forward with acceptance and forgiveness does not mean forgetting the past or who we each are. Reflection upon the past can serve a definite purpose to help us learn and grow. It is in that pause for reflection where we can reconnect with the wisdom of our inner truths. All reality hinges on moral foundations. It is in that pause, in that reconnection to the reality of the present moment, where we can open doors for the opportunity to redefine our personal values, the morals upon which we act. All reality has spiritual control. It is in this present moment we can find peace through our power to make meaningful choices for ourselves. Life is imperfect, but it is empowering to always remember we can continue to make meaningful choices within the world around us. *********************************************************************************** Transitionary times, particularly those characterized by uncertainty and heightened emotion, can feel overwhelming. They can also be incredible opportunities for reflection, to learn more about one’s self, clarify values, and consider ways to engage with purpose. Here is a practice to consider exploring if you feel like it. PEACE, adapted from Amy Saltzman, MD, A Still Quiet Place: PEACE P - Pause E - Exhale A - Acknowledge, Accept, Allow - Acknowledging doesn’t mean you have to be happy about what’s going on. It just means that you recognize the situation. Acceptance can mean accepting the situation (if that is accessible in the moment, often it may not be). It can also mean accepting your (and others’) reactions to it. Allowing is in reference to giving yourself allowance to really be present with reactions. Investigate them with kind curiosity. What are the emotions arising? Where are those feelings sensed in the body? Observe the thoughts that keep arising. Is there a theme? Can you watch them come and go without getting entangled in them? C - Choose your response with Compassion (for yourself and others), Clarity, and Courage. E - Engage in meaningful ways with yourself, the situation, and/or those around you.
2 Comments
Emma
11/16/2016 06:40:02 pm
Thanks Rashmi.... my transition from ex-pat to non-expat and returning 'home' has been so chaotic... it's taken time to accept the transition and move beyond the frustration to actually embracing "PEACE"... so this was helpful and all good for mindful training. xx
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Rashmi
11/16/2016 08:48:29 pm
Dear Emma, I can very much relate to your experience. Each of these international moves come with their own set of unique challenges, particularly moving back home. I am so happy to hear your experience of repatriation is starting to lighten. It never ceases to amaze me how life seems to flow more easily once we can embrace it, just as you have so beautifully shared. Thank you.
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Rashmi S. BismarkI'm a preventive medicine physician specialized in mindfulness, lifestyle, and community health. I'm a yoga teacher, an educator, a researcher, a devoted mom and expatriate wife, living a blessed global nomad life. Archives
May 2019
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