Robin King | Joy's Edge

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Breathing Freely

September 10, 2020 / Robin King / No comments

This blog is mostly focused on the inner work of self development. Even so, no person is an island. Those around us can be powerful teachers, shining light on our paths as we do our inner work. Current events have pushed me to write more broadly, reflecting on social justice. In these reflections, I have found that Metta (loving-kindness) is a powerful tool, creating space for shadow work: creating space to effectively work with and through that which is uncomfortable.

Six years ago, the phrase “I can’t breathe” entered our national conscience. After Eric Garner died in a police choke hold, his last words echoed throughout the news and social media. People protested against police brutality across America. Many police departments reviewed and revised policies and training regarding the use of force. Even so, Americans continue to die by lethal force by law enforcement. Most who have been killed were armed, but many had no weapons. Research found that victims were disproportionately likely to be Black Americans (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pmc/articles/PMC6080222/). In May, our nation was horrified to hear those words once again. This time, George Floyd pleaded “I can’t breathe” as a policeman knelt on his neck for several minutes, eventually killing him.

Wildfires have been devastating this summer. California has lost 2.5 million acres so far (a “modern record and nearly 20 times what had burned at this time last year”, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/09/us/fires-washington-california-oregon-malden.html), and communities in Oregon and Washington State were destroyed. The San Francisco sky glows eerie orange. Fires continue to burn throughout the American West, spurred on by climate change and problematic fire control policies (https://www.propublica.org/article/they-know-how-to-prevent-megafires-why-wont-anybody-listen).

Last weekend, in Colorado, the fire nearest to my home mushroomed in size, propelled by heat and powerful winds. The Cameron Peak Fire has had very little containment since its ignition August 13 (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6964/). The fire crews weren’t able to get ahead of it due to the mountainous terrain and the large number of beetle-killed trees in its path (a result of climate change). Saturday evening, ash resembled snow as it fell from the sky. Two hours before sunset, the sky glowed an unsettling amber as a dark red sun floated well above the horizon. Even with a mask, the air was thick and irritating. I felt those words echo, “I can’t breathe.”

Without setting a specific intention, I felt Metta arising in response. I felt Metta arising for those who have suffered police brutality and systemic racism. I felt Metta arising for those who are protesting the abuses. I felt Metta arising for those breathing in polluted air – whether from forest fires or other sources. I felt Metta arising for those who, afraid of Covid-19, no longer breathe deeply when near strangers. I felt Metta arising for those who, afraid of the unrest in America today, hold their breath metaphorically.

Tuesday, we received surprisingly early snowfall – 14” of snow dampening our wildfire. Overnight, the ash and smoke disappeared, and the air once again felt safe. Walking through Rocky Mountain National Park yesterday, grateful for the snow and ice, I felt Metta arising. May we all be well in body and mind. May we be at peace. May we breathe freely.

Category: Life, Social justice /

Consciously healing in tumultuous times

June 28, 2020 / Robin King / No comments

The 2020 backstory

We are living in a tumultuous time in the world, with so much demanding our attention. The World Health Organization declared Covid-19 to be an international health emergency on January 30. We saw people dying painful deaths caused by a new virus that spreads incredibly easily. Watching a news segment in February, I was shocked and saddened by the devastation caused by Covid-19 in Italy and Spain. America was slow to register the threat, but by March and April, it was focused on responding to the novel coronavirus. This spring, countries all over the world took measures to limit social interactions to reduce the spread of the disease, and the economy in response had the most significant downturn since the Great Depression. Economists are hopeful that there will be a “v-shaped” recovery, but “w-shaped” and slow recoveries are also possible.

As the summer approached, there was an intense focus on when social restrictions could be lifted, and how the impacts on the economy could be contained. In the U.S., since federal guidance was limited, states and localities chose starkly different approaches, and researchers studied the health and economic impacts of those decisions. Then, on May 25, attention quickly pivoted as a new concern came sharply into focus: George Floyd’s murder by police in Minneapolis was recorded in a video that sent shockwaves around the world. Since then, many stories of racial bias and systemic racism have emerged. Even Covid-19 had such a story, as American communities of color were disproportionately affected by the virus. Recently, I was especially heartbroken to read about Elijah McClain’s death in Colorado in 2019. The stories have been eye-opening, humbling, and outrageous, and they have started a process for grieving and for effecting change. Tremendous energy has arisen driving efforts to correct social wrongs; there have been protests in the streets all around the world with people demanding equality and justice. Meanwhile, cases of Covid-19 continue to be a serious concern, particularly in the United States.

Processing this moment

As a nation, and as a world, we are having deep conversations about what it means to live as a community in terms of freedom, accountability, and responsibility for each others’ well being. It is a time for exposing shadows – for seeing that which we haven’t seen before. In that process, a multitude of emotions may arise. Many of us are experiencing grief, anger, frustration, shame, guilt, defensiveness, overwhelm, excitement about the possibilities, and a thousand other emotions.

In this period of change, one consideration that has been important for me is that I keep my eye on the ball. It is essential to channel this energy to effect change towards greater connection, community, and fairness. Yes, emotions arise. There is no need to repress emotions. They will be present whether you choose to acknowledge them or not, and I’ve found more freedom to release them when I acknowledge and allow them to arise and pass. On the other hand, there is no need to indulge in emotions. I’ve seen some posts that say that, if you aren’t grieving, you aren’t responding correctly. Or, if you aren’t angry (or, you are angry), you are doing it wrong. As well, some posts suggest the writer may be too emerged in shame or guilt to be able to address the issues at hand. I’ve found a deep invitation to allow everyone to be in their own authentic reactions. At the same time, for myself, I’ve found that it is valuable to not overly indulge – to not “get stuck” in strong emotions; to allow what is present to be present, to acknowledge it, and to let it go when it is ready to be released. In that way, I can conserve energy and focus on the work that needs to be done.

So, I am excited about taking advantage of this opportunity. I am excited about meeting the invitation to see what wasn’t seen at the personal, familial, and societal levels. Many white people have been surprised to see systemic racism that has long been obvious to people of color. This work is hard, and it can feel natural to react with fatigue and a closing heart. Instead, I find a call to resiliently lean in, willingly letting heart and mind open. After viewing, I am feeling it necessary to effect change for greater equality and justice from that place of a broader vision, doing my own shadow work and supporting societal transformation towards equality and justice. I’d love for us to find out together how deeply healing can take root when deeply nourished by compassion and wisdom.

Category: Corona reflections, Life, Social justice /

Exploring shifting perception

May 31, 2020 / Robin King / No comments

One of the most potent and compelling recent societal shifts, from my perspective, has been the deepening public conversation concerning white privilege. Part of the discussion is that white people typically have so much to say, and it is time to genuinely listen to people of color. So, while I’ve done quite a bit of reflection, I haven’t written much about the topic. Today, I wanted to write a few words in response to recent events.

The nature of existence is that perception is filtered through experience. As much as we feel we have shared realities, to some extent, our realities are personal constructions. What each of us thinks, believes, and perceives, is intertwined in a largely unconscious activity of creation. For that reason, the idea of a truly objective, shared reality may well be fiction. In writing Joy’s Edge, I explored perception from a variety of angles. My explorations were informed by my own experiences – my own life. In that way, they are, of course, only a limited, personal view.

Many researchers and thinkers have identified ways in which cellphone usage has adversely impacted our societies. For example, people are often more attentive to their cellphones than to the people in the room. People can get addicted to “likes” on social media platforms, anxiously reviewing and comparing feedback. As well, cell phones help to amplify the 24-hour news cycle, and many react with increasing anxiety to constant updates concerning problems in the world. Consequently, it is important to be conscientious about one’s cellphone use.

Even so, cell phones have brought about one profound and welcome change: people who are being treated unfairly, and even illegally, now frequently have their experiences recorded by cellphones. Often, the recordings are made by victims or by witnesses. Sometimes, videos are recorded by perpetrators, unaware of how badly their own behavior will be perceived. Cell phone video, especially when it is long, unedited, with relatively still camera handling, provides a measure of objectivity, and thus a sense of shared reality.

These days, most people have cellphones. Many are willing and able to record situations that they sense are dangerous. Such video documentation has been instrumental in identifying issues of police abuse and other types of threatening behaviors. A few years ago, many hoped that police body cameras would curtail abuses. For a variety of reasons, they haven’t had the dramatic impact that was once anticipated (https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/01/14/body-cameras-may-not-be-the-easy-answer-everyone-was-looking-for). However, citizen recordings have been profoundly useful in uncovering inappropriate, illegal, and dangerous behaviors. People can stand up for what they feel is right. They can record, share, and post videos.

In the case of George Floyd’s murder, a powerful collective “No” arose in response to video evidence. Without video evidence, people could argue about circumstances, such as whether the police were facing a dangerous situation. However, a long, unedited video showed the terrifying last few minutes of a man’s life as he was killed by those who had sworn to serve and protect him. We can disagree about a lot. But, when we see a man face down, hands handcuffed behind his back not resisting, one policeman with his knee on his neck and three more standing around not intervening while a crowd shouts and pleads for his life, a cop literally choking the life out of someone as people beg him to stop, there’s no argument. The video documents a profound abuse of power, a profound disregard for human life – and a profound assault to everyone’s humanity, everyone’s peace. So, I’m grateful that it is so much easier now for us to document abuse. I’m grateful that people are speaking up and asking those who do the talking to listen. I’m grateful that powerful, painful, essential conversations are taking place. I’m hopeful that as we create more of a sense of shared reality, as we see things through each others’ eyes, we’ll get better at honoring each others’ humanity.

Category: Life, Social justice /

An invitation inherent in the Covid-19 situation

May 22, 2020 / Robin King / No comments

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, we are experiencing a time of great shifting. Most of the time, people approach life somewhat on automatic pilot, trusting that our familiar routines and expectations will be in place. Now, many of us are approaching life one day at a time, not knowing quite what to expect. We are experiencing such a rare time; so many of us are consciously aware that we do not know what to expect. We know that we don’t know what our social environments will be like in a month, six months, or a year. We know that we don’t know how long we’ll be laying low or how long it will be before we feel safe getting out. In the northern hemisphere, we know that we don’t know if the infections and deaths will spike as people return to public spaces. Or, instead, if Covid-19 will be among the viruses that are much less virulent in hotter months. People are working out how to safely restart the economy. Everything and everyone is in flux. Even though life always changes, now is a time when we are more keenly aware of that reality. When we talk about how we are doing, we are more deeply aware that we are speaking in the present, unable to know for sure what will be even in the near future.

In this time of unexpectedness, from my perspective, it is essential to have patience with yourself and with others, acting with a willingness to create space without trying to “fix” yourself or other people. We all respond differently to stress. I’ve noticed that this is a particularly important time to let go of feeling like you need to get other people to agree with you. The only thing you can say right now is that, yes, the whole world is shifting. The world as a whole is in flux.

I do notice an invitation inherent in these unusual times. In this transition, can you take your time, noticing what is beautiful right now? Can you notice which changes are deeply valuable and welcome? What changes are beneficial? How might you live your life differently, seeing how this big shut down has impacted the world – how it’s impacted mental health, community, and nature? Can you see beauty arising in this time of great mystery? Can you live your life from your truth, wisely and compassionately, making space for those acting reactively in this challenging time? Can you see the beauty – the opportunity – inherent in these challenges? This time is as rich as any time. Perhaps, more so, because of its stark contrast to “normal.” This worldwide challenge presents a profoundly bold invitation for reflection, revision, and creation. Can you sense the possibilities aligned with your deepest wishes for a more just, wise, compassionate way of being?

There are some social causes that I feel are especially important for me to support – issues that have been highlighted by the current stressors. Even so, I’ve found it essential to cultivate my own sense of peace, equanimity, compassion, and joy before (and while!) focusing on larger projects. Just as, on airplanes, you’re warned to secure your own oxygen mask before helping others, I’ve found that it’s been vital to maintain a strong meditation and mindfulness practice in order to be properly available to serve on a larger scale. In addition, consciously appreciating possibilities (at personal and societal levels) is an essential way to help secure your own metaphorical oxygen mask.

I hope you are well and stay well!

Category: Corona reflections, Life /

Reflections on Covid-19

May 12, 2020 / Robin King / No comments

The dramatic changes that came about in response to Covid-19 have created profound, and in many cases, unexpected shifts on the planet. As a result, all sorts of emotions naturally arise. Simply having externally imposed changes to routines can elicit fear, worry, or frustration – as well as joy, gratitude, and silence. Concerns about the impact of the virus on health (for society more broadly, as well as for specific loved ones and oneself) and the economy can similarly result in diverse and contradictory emotional and cognitive responses.

From my perspective, this time has created incredible opportunities for personal reflection and growth. Even so, I also honor that, for many people, simply holding it together is quite an accomplishment. I wanted to share some things that have made this time feel rich with possibility for me. On the other hand, I am also aware that most of us have more “shoulds” than we have time to pursue, so please explore any ideas that resonate with you with no guilt about the ideas you leave behind.

To be clear, I am lucky to have very fortunate circumstances. While I am unemployed and eager to launch a new career in data analytics (I earned an MS in April), I live with my love and our dog, and we aren’t worried about paying bills right now. I am 49 and he is 50, so we are in a risk group, though we are not in the most concerning risk groups. I do have beloved older relatives and neighbors, a sister with an immune challenge, and a sister working as a nurse on the intensive Covid floor. So, I am practicing vigilance with regard to precautions and checking in with loved ones. I’m so grateful for easy electronic communications!

Working with Mutable Routines

Routines can be quite useful for both efficiency and balance. One way to help children to self-regulate is to establish clear schedules. Using picture or text schedules that they understand and use can be especially helpful. Often, being able to check items off a list provides children (and adults!) with a welcome sense of calm and control when the world feels unpredictable. Even when life doesn’t go according to plan, it can be useful to review the schedule, rearranging tasks to ensure that necessary steps get completed.

Making Time for Connection and Self-care

I’ve found that it is vital to schedule activities for self-care and connection. For example, I schedule meditation, time in nature, and exercise every day. My boyfriend and I enjoy meals together, and our 10-year-old dog gets a walk or two daily. Also, my boyfriend and I designate Sunday and/or Monday as “Family Day.” We might hike, do home projects, stroll around a local lake with our dog, make wine, or (hopefully soon!) camp on Family Days. To maintain connections with the community, I continued paying the monthly membership for the small, independently owned yoga studio I frequent. And, I take part in the Facebook Live yoga sessions they stream. As well, I connect virtually for meditations with a few lovely groups. In addition, we’re checking in regularly with our older neighbors and my parents.

Compassionately Observing Emotions

This time of unpredictability is ripe with opportunities to notice our internal experiences. It is essential to work with mental health professionals if needed. There are numerous telehealth options now, providing guidance without exposure to viruses. Mental health professionals have warned that existing conditions can be exacerbated by the current stressors. As well, the stress may be too much for people who don’t usually need extra guidance – particularly if those around them are also feeling stressed out. For me, I’ve found that it is helpful to notice and explore uncomfortable feelings (frustration, helplessness, anger, sadness, numbness, etc.) with a compassionate eye. I witness where in the body the emotions are held and breathe love into those spaces. As well, I notice the stories that are associated with those emotions – not to believe the stories, to anchor more deeply in them, or to refute them – but simply to compassionately intuit the thoughts associated with uncomfortable emotions. Often, once the stories are plainly seen, they lose their hold, resulting in greater peace and ease.

Loving-Kindness Meditation

I love Metta meditation any time, and I’ve found that it is especially helpful during this pandemic. I recently posted a simple guided Metta meditation. There are many others available online, in case that one doesn’t resonate with you. When you feel the weight of tremendous suffering in the world, it is enormously beneficial to offer these blessings of loving-kindness to yourself, your loved ones, and the whole world.

Celebrating Nature

I live in beautiful Colorado, and I have always enjoyed gardening and hiking here. Even so, I’ve found that getting out in nature is especially essential now. One practice that I have added is to photograph and video moments in nature. That practice has been wonderful in drawing my eye to the beauty that surrounds me. It also focuses my mind on the present. For fun, I created new Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/joysedge) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwvmTtipADv0r5eZeIU48Ow) pages to share the visions. My boyfriend and I are also planning our vegetable and herb gardens. Last year’s scallions have already returned and made their way into several meals. We have several new pots for herbs, leafy greens, and squashes.

Gratitude

When things feel rough, it can be especially helpful to reflect on that for which you feel grateful. It can be simple – the smile of a loved one, the return of spring grass, a tasty meal… Or, larger concerns – good health, available resources, a safe place to live. I’ve found that it is a profoundly satisfying practice to consciously reflect on gratitude daily. Once you start, most find a surprising number of things for which to be grateful.

I hope you and your loved ones are thriving in this unusual time! Please let me know what has worked for you for balance, joy, and deeper understanding.

Category: Corona reflections, Life /

An invitation for reflection as 2017 begins

February 22, 2017 / Robin King / Comments Off

Your heart knows the way. Run in that direction. Rumi

Like many around the world, I’ve been following headlines more lately and engaging in more social action. As a part of this shift in attention, it has felt essential to consider how to ground action in compassion and wisdom. In these reflections, I’ve been drawn to revisit the Eightfold Path in Buddhism – right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration (meditation)… and to contemplate it with fresh eyes.

Buddhism has quite a number of enumerated lists, and the elements of the Eightfold Path are no exception: each is traditionally detailed with clarifying lists and explanations. Nevertheless, I’ve reflected on the Eightfold Path using a more fluid interpretation to explore how consciously working with these eight elements can nurture deeper understanding in the midst of social action.

First a bit of semantics: I consider the meaning of “right” to be an invitation towards sensing for that which resonates most truly with compassion and wisdom. “Right” can be a trigger word for some people, so perhaps a different word (such as resonant) is a more helpful description for the guideposts in the Eightfold Path.

When we see something we feel must change – whether within ourselves, our families, our workplaces, our communities, or society at large – it is easy to jump to action. But, first, it is helpful to contemplate and establish right view and right resolve. That is, before considering an outward action, it is helpful to consider: where is our heart? our mind? our ground? What is the principle we are most resolved to manifest? When view and resolve are established in love, truth, and kindness, right speech and right action flow naturally.

Right view suggests beginning by first finding the ground for intention. Will your view be through the lens of fear? distrust? judgmentalness? antipathy? – or compassion? hope? discernment? love? Is your resolve to shame, to corral, to blame – or to love, to heal, to create community? In this current political climate of inflamed emotions, it is easy to find reflections of the first few (from my perspective, slower vibration) emotions. And, with much gratitude, I’ve noticed it is easy to find reflections of the latter, higher vibration emotions as well.

I prefer to explore the Eightfold Path not as linear steps but rather as spiraling elements. For example, I have found it enriching to reflect on right action from the perspective of action impacting view and resolve. I feel tremendous love and connection in meditation, hiking, being in nature, and spending time with loved ones – including my dear canines. So, right action is not always about whatever needs to be accomplished at work, at home, or in my community. Sometimes, right action is simply becoming absorbed (right mindfulness) in those activities that connect me joyfully and genuinely with the roots that ring authentic for me as right view and right resolve. Yes, certainly right speech and right action brings me back again to being integrated in the public world. But, when it does, it does so with the joy of feeling grounded in love. And, right effort reminds me to find balance between exertion and restoration – being active in the world and taking time for meditation, contemplation, and discovery. Of course, meditation is the cornerstone practice that gives your mind the spaciousness and attention to rest in right view.

I find the Eightfold Path to be helpful in shaping a balanced, healthy way to be in the world. Walking it with gentle grace, we explore the Eightfold Path as a process rather than a goal. By acknowledging that we are in different places in our spirals of discovery, we support ourselves in remembering to notice and compassionately guide ourselves back to our most authentic self when we get off track.

I would love to hear from you about how you are shifting as we enter 2017, the year of the Fire Rooster (Phoenix, Garuda). What rings true for you? What keeps you active and joyful? Where does your love catch fire?

With Love,
Robin

Category: Life /

Counting Blessings

December 30, 2016 / Robin King / Comments Off

Blessings Jar As the year draws to a close, and the short days begin to stretch longer once more, I love embracing the tradition of reflection and renewal.

As we consider New Year’s resolutions, we often focus on self improvement: finding way to adjust, to grow, and to develop new skills. Self-improvement can be lovely. And yet, as we begin 2017, I’ve felt pulled to soften more deeply into appreciation for the beauty of What Is.

There is always such beauty in what is already present – the small kindnesses that fill each day, the fortuitous opportunities that open new paths, the celebrations of art, music, and words that ignite our spirits, the joy felt in sharing a good belly laugh or in service to others, the deep peace of a grace-filled meditation or outdoor experience, and so much more.

This year, I decided to bring in a new (to me) tradition: a Blessings Jar. I am waiting until 2017 to begin filling it. Even so, it has been sitting prominently on my counter top, frequently encouraging me to reflect on gratitude. It has already been a blessing in attuning my eyes to the beauty that I’d love to add to it each day – snippets of joy that I’ll eagerly add as soon as the new year comes.

Perhaps you have a similar tradition or resolution, or perhaps yours are in wonderfully different directions. Wherever your reflections bring you, I hope you find much love, joy, and fulfillment in the new year.

P.S. If you’d like to read more about research into the importance of choosing mind-states, I found this recent article by Dr. Travis Bradberry, Author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0 (nothing I’m affiliated with except as an internet reader) interesting.

Category: Life /

When canyon walls crumble

February 21, 2016 / Robin King / Comments Off

Changeability
Living in a mountain valley provides innumerable opportunities to witness life’s ever-changing nature. On a small scale, our temperatures swing 30 degrees or more from day to night. We see sunny skies fade behind sheets of rain… rain solidifying into snow… and snow disappearing quickly as the sun returns.

Less visibly, and more impactfully, the elements create change in the apparently solid rocky cliffs that surround us. As rain and snow melt seep into the granite’s cracks and then re-freeze and expand, small crevices grow. The solidity gradually shifts until it gives way, and rocks and boulders come tumbling down the mountain side.

Last Monday, activated by this slow process of change, large boulders fell onto the main corridor out of town to the east. I-70 has been closed for almost a week as crews remove debris and inspect the canyon cliffs for more loose rocks, and then guide them down.

As much as people like to get to where they are going, and commerce uses I-70 extensively, there’s a beautiful honesty in this process of clearing. Perhaps we would have preferred if everything continued as usual. And, yet, change is underway: the mountain is shifting. And, we can bear witness and give space and support for that change, or we can risk real harm. How lovely to simply be willing to be present with the transformation: to dance with it and to encourage its unfolding. After this shift, the canyon will return to relative stability. And, there may be just a little more sunlight shining through.

What’s True for You?
What a lovely invitation to reflect… to see where transformation wants to unfold… to be consciously willing to invite that process, and its messiness, knowing that growth can be gradual until it isn’t… that life can appear stable until its shifting gives way to big changes.

As I’ve settled into a new community over the last six months, my first changes were much more like the weather – obvious change as I explored the community and the land, finding my favorite spots and adjusting to the town’s rhythms. I’ve at times felt anxious to begin my next steps towards where authenticity would lead me to grow. I’ve felt crevices expanding… creating openings for deeper transformation.

Where are you in discovering and stepping into what’s authentic now? Are you feeling that call to silence, to being still and listening to your inner voice? Or, can you feel those quiet shifts… those beautiful hints of upcoming change? Or, perhaps, you see where transformation is leading you, and you are actively engaged in creating something new? Each phase is so beautiful when explored authentically, with loving, attentive interest in whatever arises. I wish you much joy and discovery as winter melts into spring.

Category: Newsletter /

Welcoming the Unexpected

November 1, 2015 / Robin King / Comments Off

The Gifts of Mindfulness

I moved to the Western Slope (in Colorado; the two landscape photos posted in this newsletter are from my neighborhood) in August, eager to hike its many beautiful hills and canyons and to develop a new practice of commuter bicycling. In early September, I was hiking with my boyfriend, our dogs, and friends when I lost my footing, resulting in a twisted ankle.

One gift of mindfulness is that it can support you through the unexpected. Just after I slipped, I saw where my mind had drifted from what I was doing, creating the opportunity for the experience. And, as you might expect, I saw my mind quickly moving into the near future, wondering if I could make it down the mile or two to get to the parking lot.While I was in pain, we were able to see that my ankle seemed to be able to do everything it needed to do, so we continued walking down the trail (now, with a walking stick). As we traveled, mindfulness practice was tremendously helpful for me, redirecting my mind again and again from worrying about a thousand steps to simply doing one step, and then one step, and then one step until I was pleasantly surprised to see the trail open to the parking lot.

Another gift in practicing mindfulness is that it gives you the mental space for flexibility. On the one hand, you can develop the mental flexibility to notice where you are off-track… the space to notice where your mind has drifted from the present without judging yourself harshly. On the other hand, mindfulness is very helpful in investigating and softening your expectations, opening your mind to new possibilities.

Welcoming the Unanticipated

When plans go awry, we can choose to be annoyed that life isn’t fitting into our schedules. Or, we can approach with an open mind, looking for the opportunities that arise with unexpected change.

For me, when I am injured, I’ve found that the direct experience of working through injuries is helpful for my work as an occupational therapist and yoga guide. I am able to experience firsthand some of the challenges and opportunities inherent in the experiences my clients face.

As well, this particular injury provided a clear message to slow down… to notice that I had too many plans… too many ideas of things to do and get done. It provided a wonderful invitation for a lot less “doing,” and more conscious “being.” It was quite liberating to experience the season’s changes at a slower pace… truly noticing the shifts in the sky, the shadows’ changes as the days shortened, and the gradually dropping temperatures from a place of greater stillness.

Attending to Details

Years ago, my meditation teacher emphasized the importance of creating sacred space… of making your home a place of beauty and peace. He felt such attention was essential, and could be met on whatever budget was available. While it sounded like a great idea, I never found the time to be diligent about that task. In the past, my home felt like more of a pit-stop than a welcoming destination.

In this move to Glenwood Springs, I decided to shift that approach. And, the experience of having to slow down gave me plenty of time to consciously prepare my new home in a way that felt truly aligned with how it would serve my spirit. Now, the colors in my home reflect the canyons that surrounds me. A few original paintings bring vibrancy to the walls. Attention to organization has helped tremendously in reducing clutter, creating space to highlight pieces of art and photos that bring joy. I enjoy cleaning the natural stone surfaces daily and vacuuming every few days, restoring brightness. I can truly say that I am living in the most welcoming, gentle, nurturing home I have ever called my own.

It’s been a little while, and I am getting around well; I am back on the elliptical and in yoga class, and the dogs and I are sharing a few walks a day. Pretty soon, I’ll be hiking with the family on uneven ground. I am so grateful for the beautiful (though, yes, small) home I share with my dogs, and I am so grateful for my body’s wonderful healing abilities… given attentive patience. And, I am grateful for the invitation to learn moredeeply about living mindfully, and for the skillful direction I’ve received along the way.

Opening to Your Wisdom

Of course, there is no need to wait for injury to make time for stillness and presence. It is beautiful to live from that place of joy: taking time daily for meditation, or gazing into a creek, or watching clouds move. I invite you to reflect on your life circumstances, noticing if there are shifts you may want to make to feel more deeply present in your life, and in your relationships (with others, with nature, with your spirit, with the Divine – with whatever feels like it could benefit from attention and refinement).The longer nights of fall and winter have been associated in many cultures with an invitation for storytelling, for sharing, and for making time for inward journeys. I invite you to see what arises for you when you reflect on what feels ready to fall away, shift, or ripen.

I hope you are having a wonderful transition season, with much love, joy, and transformation.Blessings,

Robin

Category: Newsletter /

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