Finding Refuge for Ourselves

I hope you are well. That's a snap I took of the St. James River from Yogaville Ashram in VA. Going there every year with Krishna Das provides a refuge for me in the middle of the busy calendar. Meditation comes easy there, looking over the wide expanse of forest and water....

Meditation has helped me enormously in times of turbulence, inner and outer. It's helped me to ground and gather myself. Through mindfulness practice, I’m able to process the world and then return to it feeling I’m ready to contribute something. Through it, I can bring resource to myself and the possibility of sharing that resource with others. 

During this turbulent time, I’ve been asking myself what can I contribute? What can I bring out that might help others? This question might feel resonant for you too right now. 

The world is in a hard place and it needs all our love. But to be able to share that love effectively, we need to take care of ourselves, or we’ll be in no shape to help anyone else. How do you care for yourself? Are you making time? And do you get the support you need?

Mindfulness is a powerful way to nurture and care for our inner lives, creating a refuge for our souls. It doesn’t get rid of difficulties, but it changes our relationship to them—over time, it helps us hold loving space for all our thoughts and feelings. From there, we can hold that space for others too. Practicing can also help us to see reality more as it truly is, and bring us into greater harmony with that truth. That changes everything. 

Let me know how you are caring for yourself these days. Is meditation a part of your ritual? I’m curious to know. 

And if you like, join me Mondays at 6:30 for a weekly ritual—Monday Meltdowns. Each week we gather online to start the week by releasing stress and cultivating mindfulness and compassion—for ourselves and for others.

I'd love to sit with you there. 

Stay well and have a beautiful week. 

Namaste,

Noah