While Staying In Place

Redemption preserves itself in a small crack in the continuum of catastrophe. – Walter Benjamin

As we become more awake, we become less thick and more intelligent, and the mind becomes more clear, but we also become more sensitive. – ChögyamTrungpa Rinpoche

Please be gentle with yourself. I am reminding my patients that none of us have ever experienced anything like this. Keep in mind that whatever you are experiencing, the entire globe is feeling the exact same feelings. If you are tired, rest. The weight of the world is upon each of us. If you are sad, grieve. This is an enormous experience of loss. If you are terribly irritated with those closest to you, ask yourself what you are not willing to feel. If you feel like lashing out or blaming others for the pain that you are experiencing, slow down. Check out where you are holding tension in your body. Try to get outside when you can. Most importantly, don’t forget to soften. We are all in this soup together. Allow yourself to be changed exponentially. This is an opportunity. Dive deep. We are all down there with you. I promise.

Oh, do you have time

to linger

just for a little while

out of your busy

and very important day

for the goldfinches

that have gathered

in a field of thistles

for a musical battle

to see who can sing

the highest note,

or the lowest,

or the most expressive of mirth

or the most tender?

Their strong, blunt beaks

drink the air

as they strive

melodiously

not for your sake

and not for mine

and not for the sake of winning

but for their delight and gratitude-

believe us, they say,

it is a serious thing

just to be alive

on this fresh morning

in the broken world.

I beg of you,

do not walk by

without pausing

to attend this

rather ridiculous performance

it could mean something

it could mean everythng

it could mean what Rilke meant, when he wrote:

You must change your life.

Mary Oliver- Invitation.