Dear Ones,
As I read the news these days I feel so much going on in my body. One moment there may be the heat and compression that may be called rage, as well as a shaky agitation of terrified powerlessness. Then the thick, heavy, stuck sensation connected to a feeling of hopelessness collapsing into a numbness of overwhelm and despair.
I have also been on a deep dive into the world of Non-Dual IFS (Internal Family Systems) where these streams of sensations may be described as different parts. I have experienced the opening that naturally comes with the shift in perspective - from “I am enraged, I feel powerless and overwhelmed.” to “A part of me is enraged.” “A part feels terrified, powerless and overwhelmed.” Or even “A part feels hot and compressed, shaky, stuck.” With this shift there is an inherent openness that arises, full of compassion and curiosity. There is a sense of acceptance internally - “Yes, of course these parts feel this way.” There is no need for them to change in any way, there is space for them to be just as they are. In this, my whole system relaxes further and something deeper revels itself - what is spacious, empty and whole within the rage, terror and despair. And somehow all of this can exist in the same moment - rage and space, terror and emptiness, despair and wholeness.
Dr. Laura Patryas, in her book Awaken to Love speaks to the both/and experience of Duonity - the capacity to experience the absolute Truth of the emptiness of all form while also experiencing the relative truth of embodied incarnation with all its sensations, emotions and thoughts.
Thich Nhat Hahn points to this as well in his translation of the Heart Sutra.
I am curious, what is arising in your body, heart and mind these days? What if there is a gentle invitation to experience these arising energies as parts, not as the totality of what you are? Can you feel a sense of compassionate curiosity that invites deeper intimacy? And as whatever is aware draws more deeply in, what else is discovered?
You are welcome to join us to find out.
We plan to gather online on Saturday February 7th from 10-11:30 am Mountain Standard Time. All are welcome.
9am Pacific time
5pm/17h London
6pm/18h Amsterdam
If you would like to join us, please contact me here: embodied meditation sign up
The gathering is free and donations are accepted here:
https://paypal.me/openheartwisdom?locale.x=en_US
or at Wise: International Money Transfer | Transfer Money Overseas using the email address: mgedert9@gmail.com