Six months ago, on March 11th, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic and each of us – along with our families, friends, companies, environments… were subject to incredible change.
Nineteen years ago, on September 11th, 2001 our world was also shaken a myriad of ways as we witnessed and experienced the novel, coordinated airstrike attacks that changed many aspects of life as we knew it, forever.
Before, after (and between) these dates, significant events, which have touched our lives at varying levels of lasting and impressionable change have and will continue to occur.
Perhaps the moments mentioned above, are like those Thich Nhat Hanh refers to as “mud” in his book: No Mud, No Lotus.
As I reflect on these wisdom teachings andtranslate his message:
Through the mud,
{varying levels of troubling intensity, chaos, discomfort and suffering}
Grows the lotus.
{varying levels of peace, clarity, residing in beauty, knowing, calm}.
I feel called to recognize those aspects of life that have bloomed into lotus as a result of the rippling impacts of recent events as well as those that continue to ripple from events of past times.
And I am discovering that the more I rest in the rich potentials of this view – the more settled I feel in heart, body & mind, supported by sensations of warmth, softness and ease.
The image above – R.A.I.N provides four steps, simple, but not always easy, which I utilize in my own practice of “beingwith” the full range of life experience: mud & lotus.
Often I share this practice when guiding others who are learning to do the same.
For additional tools, I encourage you to pick up the book, a practical offering for moving through challenging transitions & to search for more supportive practices and tools from two of my teachers: Tara Brach & Michelle McDonald – creators of this transformational practice: RAIN.
I’d love to hear from you… Where are you noticing this shift from mud to lotus in your life? What practices do you engage with for support along the way?
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