Firstly, we cannot meditate this away or overstate the scope of loving kindness practice. Likewise, we should not suggest that “holding space” via yoga asana can heal the wounds of racialized trauma (that would be tone-deaf and magical thinking). But, we can use the practice to meditate our way into a more authentic experience with our own bodies; to sit in the company of our own biases, traumas and fears so that we may touch the center of our own suffering, including our ignorance of suffering. We can create space and embodiment in our own flesh and bones and use the dharma of the body as a touchstone for personal transformation. When we practice with the intention of not shrinking from our humanness - our aging bodies, our anxious minds, our knee-jerk reactions -we begin to build the emotional maturity that is the benchmark of presence. Presence is heroic; it is a healing art, capable of seeing both the sorrows and the light in others; and it is one of the crown jewels of kinship.
As yogis let’s not simply toss a “May All Beings Be a Happy” at this momentous time in history (I’m personally hitting pause on that), but rather employ the wisdom of “Only Don’t Know” which asks that we set aside everything we think we know in order to open-heartedly begin again. Let’s meditate and do our yoga practice in order to stay attuned to inner truth and compassionate to the lives of others. Let’s donate money if we can, sign petitions if they resonate with our truth, and read books that deepen our comprehension of black lives in America (I’m reading “My Grandmother’s Hands” by Resma Menakem and would love to hear from you if you’ve read this book). Let’s pray for those who are leading this change - God bless them!!! - and let’s welcome change into our world like a new baby to be adored and protected.
Change awaits.
#LovingKindness