Acknowledging Fear and Activating Love

 

Dear Friends,

As the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic has landed in the hearts, bodies and minds of the world we, perhaps in a more real way, can take in the teachings of people like Joanna Macy about the Great Turning or the Great Unraveling.  

And wonderings have risen in me.

I wonder what we can do as we distance ourselves socially to feel more connected than ever?

I wonder if now we can begin to experience our interconnectivity in ways that our busy habits didn’t allow?

I wonder how we can support people in prisons and detention centers and refugee camps and nursing homes?

I wonder how we can be supportive of hospital workers and healers the world over?

I wonder how to deepen our connection to generosity, in all directions, most importantly to those in greatest need?

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While there are beautiful things happening. Like players in the NBA offering financial support to the people who work in the stadiums they play in.
The reminder by our local co-op to buy gift certificates to local restaurants and coffee shops to keep their doors open...and more.

There are so many ways to express generosity and support externally.

And here are a couple resources and offerings to cultivate the internal, and the collective.

Fear is a normal state when uncertainty of this magnitude arises. As is LOVE.

Here is an article by one of my mentors that may be helpful. (this article also includes a beautiful poem called Pandemic, check it out!)

Activating collective consciousness, and sending love into the world is also a simple and profound way to give generously right now.

If you aren’t already connected to a small, or large, group of people connecting at the same time to send love out collectively--- Join Us for this simple practice.

Here is what we are going to do:

We will meet at 6 pm PST daily for five minutes of meditation, reflection or prayer. Sending love and care around the world. Together.

Joining us means simply pausing at the same time together every day. No need to hook up electronically. 

We can engage heart to heart, soul to soul. Through the ethers, the air, our breath.

It’s a simple and profound act to bring our hearts into alignment through love.

To do:

Put this time on your calendar. 

When 6 pm rolls around. Get quiet. Pause. Take a breath. 

Bring your attention into your body. Feel your feet.

Ground and center. Bring your attention to your heart.

Sense it’s beating and wonder about its amazing ability to connect to the world. 

Breathe. 

Then begin a loving kindness practice.
Or simply breathe love out to the world and back to yourself.  
Or pray.
Whatever works for you.

Five minutes done collectively!

You can do one minute with your children. You can do more time if you’d like.

Use a timer. 

Take a moment when the five minutes are done to remember you are not alone.

We are in this together.

And lastly. Stoke Your Woke’s Midday Mingle is on hold until further notice. 

We are considering a zoom call for those of you interested in contemplating a question together. 

The plan will be to write before the call and then do rounds of listening to each other. 

If you are interested, email me directly cae.delmonico@gmail.com

It would be at that same time 12 pm PST on Thursdays. 

We can continue to wonder, rewire our neural networks, and enhance our connectivity.

Be well.

Love big.

We'll get through this.

Together.
Carol