Reflection, June
Balance, moderation, the space between vita-activa and vita- contemplativa...here is, perhaps, a peaceful life. Thinking and planning are wonderful, the vita contemplativa, but overstaying their welcome? Well, that is where we can become 'stuck'.
Throughout my time in academia, I would develop courses to last fifteen weeks; in which I was tasked to teach and cover wide spans of human history, experience, and literature (think like thousands of years). I would dread putting together a syllabus, as it made me feel stuck. But, I learned that having this outline of my long-term vision grounded me enough to play in the spaces between. "Ok, this week I am set to cover liminal theories, the myth of the Elf Queen, reversal of patriarchal binaries, and Narnia." Going into lecture with a rough outline, I let the energy of the class, both mine and the students, guide exactly how this material would be covered. It was a loosely choreographed dance with space for improv, just like life. I could adapt if I needed or I was prepared if there were silence.
All that said, I find this true of this new venture. Each week, interaction, writing, and course have woven together all under the thesis of this month's Meditation: holding the paradox of conflicting emotion and experience together, without blame or judgement. As I sat to write notes for this reflection I was surprised of all the thorough lines and synchronicities. But I shouldn't be, because I have found it to be one of the very few capital T truths in life that when we are aligned, in flow with our purpose, there are no coincidences in the moments of magic which appear on our path. It is such a beautiful feeling. When in your life do you notice the most synchronicity?
June Review:
For the meditation this month, we focused on Rumi's incredible poem "The Guest House" to explore all the visiting emotions and experiences we are housing this month.
In this, we also discussed light and dark, with the solstice in mind, as not being in contrast, but rather in compliment. An introduction to non-binary thinking, not "or" but "and."
I asked you to spend time with the poem and your visitors, naming them and observing them without judgement.
Our ritual was based on the poem and these visitors.
We have anywhere between 6,000-70,000 thoughts a day and emotions last about 90 seconds.
So, we explored what visitors may be overstaying their welcome due to repression or over-identification.
Since Rilke told us to feel everything because "no feeling is final", we found strategies to help these visitors keep in motion.
Diaphragmatic breath-work (4,4,8)
Visualization and a nourishing meal: "what do I need in this emotional state?" "How can I further cultivate this pleasurable experience?"
Then in Vino Verse and Vinyl there was even more play with paradox.
Verse: in the loss of light, the truth was told (hello darkness, my old friend).
Vino: Gamay is both a fruity summer wine, but it is also funky like stagnate water (hello Pirates boat ride).
Vinyl: we merged music that was at times melancholy and joyful in a single playlist.
A last peak of the sun in Connemara, the in-between moment of day to night.
Reflection
Looking back to make meaning is to reflect. Learning without application is a type of “banking education” which creates a passive audience. However, to learn and reflect for meaning (vita-contemplativa) then apply (vita-activa) means transformation happened. If information, learning, could make change, the world would look very different. But information in and of itself does not transform lives, that takes guidance and active learning strategies. So, let’s get active.
This month, you sat with paradox, and what a paradoxical month it has been. You sat with your thoughts and emotions, analyzing where you may be stuck (those visitors who became ‘old fish’). In those emotions, you worked to nourish them to help them process and move on. You also nurtured those emotions which you cherish. You held grief and joy, together, no easy feat.
Narrative therapy can be defined as a type of counseling which helps the client get some distance from their struggles in order to become more objective. At the end of each month, I will guide you through some reflective journaling, grounded in narrative therapeutic strategies. You will reflect as a way to transform. Give yourself at least thirty minutes to work through these prompts.
Was I able to give each visitor this month patience and attention? What emotional visitors was I the most resistant towards? What emotional visitors did I over-identify with?
Rumi notes that all visitors are guides from beyond with messages. What messages were brought to me this month? Can I apply them?
Where in my life do I need more nourishing? How can I give it to myself daily or weekly? (try to pick one related to meals/nutrition and one related to another aspect of your life)
What do I want to bring in more of in my life? What is one small step I can take today to cultivate that?
How did diaphragmatic breathwork make me feel? How did visualization make me feel? Should I add either to my daily wellness routine? If so, how?
It has been my joy to spend June cultivating more consciousness with you. If you feel the content has been a benefit to your month, consider sharing it with others. There is plenty of room in this community! Also, there is still room for you to join July's group courses: Literary Gastronomy and Writing to Heal. Both are set with an incredible line up, I cannot wait. Also, don't hesitate to set up your free Wellness Consult with me. Until July...
Be good,
Amanda
