I truly believe this is a moment we have been training for.
A friend called me earlier this week, wanting to talk about the amount of anxiety he is feeling in the face of the current religious climate in America. He has reached out to friends who are supporters of President Trump for conversation and meals, thinking he might make a difference. Discouraged, he said it has made no difference – no one changes their minds. Facebook posts are vitriol, people are set in their opinions, and negativity reigns.
How are we to face such discouragement, anger, and fear? Right now we know there are people who are caught in difficult or dangerous situations who have been unable to travel due to the immigration ban. Persons who are perceived as Muslim or a religious or ethnic minority are dangerously harassed. And that doesn’t begin to list the extent of the fear concerning education and reproductive rights and rights of persons of color and indigenous peoples in this land.
I am no expert. I get discouraged. But ironically I believe this is what we have been getting ready for, those of us who have spiritual and centering practices. Many of us recall or currently embrace practices from long trusted traditions: prayers from childhood, meditations we have learned through the years, hymns or dances or scriptures that proclaim compassion and peace.
Now is the time to re-member and to practice. Every day – a prayer, a meditation, a physical yogic practice – whatever is true for you. This is a form of self-care, and as Parker Palmer notes, self-care is never a selfish act. Science now tells us that even 5 minutes of these practices will shift the way our brains function toward the positive and compassionate. Real self-care brings self awareness - it is not the same as narcissism or selfishness which are the effect of a lack of self awareness.
A few suggestions:
-If you have a practice of self-centering do it. Now. Every day. A prayer, a meditation practice, a scripture reading, yoga … Just don’t skip this. This is the moment we have been working toward, and it takes all the inner strength we can nurture.
-If you don’t have a practice, find a meditation online and start. Five or 10 minutes is all you need. My friend, Jody Theissen, Sound Alchemist, and I created a new series on ITunesU from Chapman University, Mindfulness Meditation with Sound Healing, ranging from 5-minute to one hour meditations.
-Opt out of negativity. Start to make decisions about who you will surround yourself by. The negativity will rub off. If you have to, take Facebook off your phone or take a break from social media if it brings you down.
-Surround yourself with hope! Positivity also rubs off. We know this from scientific evidence – find people who remain positive and hang with them.
-Find awesome evidence to be grateful for. Democracy in action is evident all around! The hundreds of world-wide women’s marches were unprecedented in world history. Muslim and Latino and LGBTQ groups are forming coalitions. Lawyers are taking a day off to sit in airports and assist people.
-Finally, do something for someone else after you have practiced your self-care. Your compassion and hope will be renewed.