"There is the mud, and there is the lotus that grows out of the mud. We need the mud in order to make the lotus." —Thich Nhat Hanh |
COVID is by far one of the darkest storms we have encountered in our lifetime. And as the crippling effects carry into the third year, it's natural to pause and ask: What will the future hold?
During difficult times, we choose to look through one of two lenses. The first lens is fear, uncertainty, and judgment; the second is a lens of love, acceptance, and hope for the planet and humanity.
Look for a global rise in awareness.
Looking past the chaos of the media, we continue to see an abundance of online courses, books, videos, and articles, directed toward a movement to awaken our consciousness. We see more people speaking out—and reaching out to help their fellow man. This offers us hope that out of this mud, together we will rise to a higher state of being.
For the many of us who believe in a higher power, there is a simple yet profound quote by Thich Nhat Hanh, "No mud, no lotus." In essence, the lotus must transform by rising, struggling upward through the mud to reach a new beginning, a higher level of development, expansion, and growth of awareness.
Now is the time to comfort others by being fully present. Make them smile, say something special, gently reassure them. This is something known as being a "frequency holder," a term coined by Eckhart Tolle.
Tolle explains the role of a frequency holder as this, "They are here to generate consciousness through the activities of daily life, through their interactions with others as well as through 'just being'... In this way, they endow the insignificant with profound meaning. Their task is to bring spacious stillness into this world by being absolutely present in whatever they do."
Learn to focus on the inside.
It's much easier to be present and care for others when you feel whole and balanced. That only happens with self-care. Practice stillness, begin a daily meditation, take up yoga, walk and connect to nature, make wholesome food choices, choose positive thoughts, practice gratitude with acceptance, take the path of good and right action. Make these a priority, even when it is easier not to. These self-care tools can open the door to higher awareness and growth of consciousness..
Recognize the source of goodness in yourself and within others. Cultivate that.
Elevating our awareness with self-care will help us move through this challenge with dignity and grace. Reflect kindness and generosity to each person on your path. These small yet compassionate acts of goodwill will uplift and calm others, and you will also experience the benefit.
Together, we can create a monumental shift, and hope rises.
"Be at least as interested in what goes on inside you as what happens outside. If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place." —Eckhart Tolle |
ABOUT LORRAINE ALEXANDER As executive director of DASA Meditation, Lorraine Alexander leads annual teachers’ trainings, lectures and coordinates programs. She formerly led both the U.S. Green Building Council’s Redwood Empire and the Pacific Region as chair. She learned to meditate at the age of 15. Contact her at (707) 620– 5070 or l.alexander@DASAmeditation.com. |