Meditation in Times of Grief.
Those of you who have followed or participated in my teachings of meditation will know that I encourage you to explore different forms of meditation (it’s not about sitting cross-legged on a mat, laying down or emptying your mind), different styles, methods and teachings.
It is not a one-size-fits-all.
And let me tell you here that the aim of meditation is not enlightenment.
Or transcending anything.
It’s about presence.
Your practice will evolve and grow, ebb and flow, shift and change.
And when it comes to meditation in times of deep grief everything you think you know about your meditation practice flies out the window.
Because grief is not just a physical set of symptoms but is energetic too.
And it lands differently.
As it did with me some years ago.
No matter how much I thought I knew and understood about my mediation practice, when I was grieving deeply meditation became incredibly difficult.
Whatever form of meditation practice I was doing all I could do was cry.
Whether I was still or moving, whether my space was quiet or filled with sound every time my practice began I would just cry.
Actually, crying doesn’t quite cover it.
I sobbed.
Consumed by my grief.
And I became frustrated.
Defeated even.
And then I realised –
my tears, my crying, my sobbing was meditation.
And in that moment I was able to let go of what I thought meditation should look or feel like and be present with myself in a very different way.
What a powerful, profound and transformative insight that was for me.
So, if you find your meditation practice faltering or impossible during times of grief give yourself some slack.
And allow whatever it is that you are feeling to flow.
It’s not about emptying the mind, being quiet or still but feeling into your soul.
It’s not about a moving meditation practice that feels freeing and expressive but the ability to hold your body with love as it curls into a tight ball, throws fists at the floor and wails.
With warmth
Nancy xx
HELD 