The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of innate violence. To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything is to succumb to violence. The frenzy of the activist neutralizes his work for peace. It destroys her own inner capacity for peace. It kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful. -Thomas Merton
For years, I succumbed to the ‘frenzy of busyness’. I believed that if I did not work myself to the point of collapse, I was not doing my part in my community, in my organization, in the world. Little did I know, my constant action left no room for the meditative reflection central to our ability to envision and create the world that we believe is possible. Furthermore, constant activity leaves us drained and incapacitated when it’s time to nurture our relationships with the people we love. The very relationships that motivate us to create a more peaceful and equitable world.
I began a daily meditation practice because I wanted to learn to be present with myself and others. As part of my meditation practice, I do a little contemplative reading. Most recently, I began reading Circle of Compassion: Meditations for Caring-For the Self and For the World. The author, Gail Straub, happens to be the Co-Founder of The Empowerment Institute, where I received my certification in Life Coaching. Gail is an amazing teacher and a leader for social change. The daily meditations in her book, teach us to cultivate a balance between the inner life and the outer life. The circle of compassion includes the “in-breath” of caring for self and the “out-breath” of caring for the world. Through the meditations, Gail, ask that we consider how we honor the natural rhythm within each of us that seeks both time for ourselves, whether in nature, with sangha, or in solitude, with our passionate desire to create social change in the world.
I have put away the frenzy of busyness. It never served me or the communities that I am committed to. I care for myself daily through meditation, yoga, and journaling. What are your practices for self care? How do you honor your natural rhythms?
To purchase a copy of Gail Straub’s book and learn more about The Empowerment Institute visit: http://www.empowermentinstitute.net