Week 18: The Mindful Empath's Almanac

Week 18:The Mindful Empath Almanac

I will start recording these voiceovers so they hit the podcast feed, I hope you enjoy them!! If you become a paid subscriber you will begin to receive longer audio meditations (8 per year). The next one is coming up soon!!mindfulempath.substack.com/subscribe

Quote:

“I dwell in possibility.” ~ Emily Dickinson

Reflection:

I have wrestled with, maybe not so much recently but often enough over the years, the Christian upbringing of my childhood and my more current Buddhist/Agnostic sensibilities.

Even as a former pastor/minister within the Baptist tradition I had a challenging time with the side effects of the faith. Shame being the primary issue. For one’s faith to be central, you had to carry a deep shame of the human experience. That never sat well with me. Honestly, this post is not about that…I may save that for a different week!

One of the other issues I had with how Christian faith seemed to cling to ideas and precepts that they felt were immutable and immovable. That is most definitely contradictory to one of the central themes to Buddhism, and that is that everything changes.

Everything.

For the Buddhist, change is not just a part of life, but is a part of the Buddha nature.

So as I was struggling with these two antithetical ideas I considered…if change is the only constant, wouldn't it be wise to accept it, to flow with it, to ride its wave wherever it may go? Wouldn’t it be prudent to be as Emily Dickinson suggests, to DWELL in possibility?

Buddhists believe, and I agree, that the number one reason for suffering is attachment...or the inability to accept and process change.

The only "thing", if we can describe it as such, that does not change is the I AM, which is consciousness itself. 

This is the truth of the Judeo-Christian scriptures and tradition that has been lost and found many times throughout history. The stories that we read in the Bible, like many other religious stories before it and since, are giving us the same plot over and over again. 

God "created" man to see itself.

God "became" man to show The Way of existence.

The whole aim of existence is participation. 

This is the creator aspect still creating.

Growth is expected and should be celebrated, not condemned.

We move beyond the illusion and division that we see in the different tribal God's stories once we recognize that the true potency and power of these stories is through their lived and contextual meaning, regardless of the fact they lack literal truth.

We are missing, and dismissing, the whole point of humanity being co-laborers with God/Universe when we strip away their creative responsibility in crafting the story.

The act of creation IS divine, maybe the most divine "thing" we do, other than breathe. It is the I AM.

Intention:

Join me in this intention:

Today I choose to embrace the growth that comes with change. I will be open to new experiences and perspectives, and I will see challenges as opportunities to learn and evolve.

Meditation:

To listen to the following meditation in audio form, please play below.

Finding Flow in Change

Find a comfortable position, sitting or lying down. Close your eyes gently, or soften your gaze if you prefer.

Take a few deep breaths, inhaling slowly and completely, exhaling fully.

Bring your attention to the present moment. Notice the sounds around you, the feeling of your breath, the sensations in your body.

Imagine yourself standing on the bank of a river. The water is flowing steadily, ever-changing, yet the river itself remains.

Think about the ways change flows through your life. Seasons change, relationships evolve, and even your own body is constantly renewing itself.

Notice any resistance you might have to change. Is it a fear of the unknown? A clinging to the familiar?

Now, picture yourself stepping into the river. Feel the cool water swirl around your legs. It may be unfamiliar at first, but trust that the current will carry you forward.

Change, like the river, can be a source of growth and transformation. It can lead you to new and exciting places.

Spend a few moments simply being in the flow of the river. Let go of any resistance and allow yourself to be carried by the current.

When you're ready, gently bring your awareness back to your breath and body.

Slowly open your eyes, taking with you the feeling of being open to change and the knowledge that growth lies within its flow.

Cultivation:

Rather than seeing change as something to fear, look at it with the following perspectives!

* See change as growth: Remind yourself that change is inevitable and often leads to personal development. Look for the opportunities for learning and improvement that change presents.

* Focus on the positive: Even amidst challenges, change can bring new experiences and possibilities. Actively seek out the positive aspects of the change.

Appreciation:

Take time to appreciate the good things in your life, even during times of change. Gratitude can help you feel more grounded and positive. With that said, be kind to yourself during times of change. Remember, everyone struggles with change sometimes.

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