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Hello, wonderful members of the OHP. Welcome to your meditation practice.
Today’s meditation is going out to all 8000-ish members of the Open Heart Project, those of you who subscribe to the Basic newsletter and those who subscribe to the (more in-depth) Practitioner newsletter.
It is a momentous day here on the east coast of the US. We are bracing for Hurricane Sandy. I’m sure many of you are also faced with your own Frankenstorms, whether they are taking place around you or within you.
When energies are at their most potent and frightening, there is a wonderful chance to open your heart to others. As you take care of yourself and your loved ones (which you should absolutely do first), you could bring to mind all those who also suffer from potent threats. When we feel our own fears most viscerally, it is easiest to imagine how others in similar situations feel. Our hearts open. So I thought I’d take this opportunity to invite us all to practice together–for ourselves, for each other, and for all those who long to be safe and protected.
In today’s meditation, we sit for about 15 minutes and practice both breath-awareness and loving kindness meditation.
May you be safe!
Love, Susan
Audio-only version is here.
Thanks for this, Susan. May you, and all those in Sandy’s path, be safe and protected. I am very struck by what you said about giving up fear and hope (I know you’ve said it before). Giving up fear is something that sounds like a good idea; giving up hope, however, sounds a bit weird. But when you look into it, it makes perfect sense too.
Love, Patrick.
Thank you so much, Patrick. Yes, it can be odd to think of giving up hope. I suppose there is hope born of fear and hope born of kindness and we shouldn’t be unhappy about the latter! Love, S
Thank you for this meditation, Susan. We are about to enter the worst of the storm and this gave me some calm and peace.
I’m glad…
Thank you!!
Thank you. While I am safely on the opposite coast from this particular storm, this was well timed for me as well. While this meditation specifically talked about the weather, it was appropriate also for the metaphorical storm that is swirling around us as the US election approaches. I found it helpful to include all the people who are fearful of the outcome of the elections–whatever their politics. Perhaps if we all felt safer, we could have a saner discussion of what to do about our problems.
I am glad it was useful…
As it turns out, the calm before the storm was right here. I’m a day late nonetheless your words and practice visited me many times yesterday. Thank you for your work – I love it!
Curt
So glad!
Two days after Sandy swept through NYC: I was able to make a visceral connection with “the calm center at the heart of storm” that I know is hooked up within me forever. Thank you for sharing the beauty that you express in such a simple and easily accessible way.
I am so glad this was useful. Stay safe. xo S