When I was leading retreats in Central America, there was a simple meditation that always got results. As I was asking the participants to face each other without touching, breathing gently, and consciously, I asked them to be fully present, to be open to the mystery of the life of the person in front of them.
It was an unsettling, silent meditation that always showed them something they hadn’t known before. It was startling at first, but soon we all realized how much we need each other, how our relationships with others help us to grow healthier and better.
Now in the midst of the pandemic, do you miss being in the presence of your best friends? Or your co-workers? Do you miss smiling and being connected to others without the fear of the infection?
We normally stop at the threshold of ourselves and others, and we don’t dare to step out or in. We’re afraid of the limitless power we contain when we live in relationship with others, the treasures waiting for us on the other side of our fears.
What do you think you will learn from this experience of the pandemic? When this is over, will you expand the horizons of your ‘self’? Are you willing to embrace love, live your life authentically, being open, every moment, to the experience of being fully in a relationship with others? What would you like to change in your relationships with others when the crisis is over?
Try This Meditation:
Take your time and breathe mindfully for a few minutes. As you do that, ask yourself, “how are you today?” Do a gentle scanning of your mind, body and heart. Listen to the voices inside of you. Then ask yourself, “what do you need?” Be honest. Look inside of you. You might need to reach out for a deeper connection with others. Maybe you need to hear the voice of a family member or you might need a conversation with your best friend. Ask yourself, “when this crisis is over, what did you learn?” Are you growing in wisdom? What are your priorities now?
Juan