Namaste. . .

Plum Village France (Photo credit: redwylie)

February and March, like the winter holidays, can be a tough time for those of us who have lost an intimate relationship with a friend or family member.  We closed off our hearts and hid out until all the cupids and red lacy hearts are put away to make room for St. Patrick’s Day.  We feel bereft of the love that we had in our relationship.  We often feel as if there is no one to love us that we are not worth being loved.  But, all of us have a well of love within us that is mirrored back to us when we are in relationship to others.  Even though they are not physically present, we have that deep sense of love to call upon to sustain our lives.

 Often times, when we have experienced the loss of someone close to us, we have a deep sense of loneliness, longing, and needing to belong and be loved.  This can be true even when we have other family and friends around to love us.  We have lost a precious relationship in life and nothing can substitute that or take its place.

As we make our way through the grief journey, from time to time, we need to seek out new ways of healing.  Sometimes that is healing mentally, sometimes spiritually, physically, or emotionally.

The following is a meditation on love.  I hope that this meditation will help you to find some comfort.  May it remind you that change does happen and pain does not endure with the same intensity forever.  May it remind you that you have a wealth of love within you that cannot be damped by your grief.  Allow yourself to come into contact with the deep peace and love within.

 Love Meditation

May I be peaceful, happy, and light in body and spirit.

May I be safe and free from injury.

May I be free from anger, fear, and anxiety.

May I learn to look at myself with the eyes of understanding and love.

May I be able to recognize and be aware of  the seeds of joy and happiness in myself.

May I learn to identify and see the sources behind my anger, sorrow, and feelings of self defeat.

May I know how to nourish myself every day, mentally, spiritually, physically.

May I be able to live each day fresh, solid, and free.

May I be free of all of the habits, thoughts, and actions that cause me to suffer.

(Adapted from Thich Nhat Hanh, Plum Village Prayer and Recitation Book, Parallax Press. © 2001)

Note:  some how, it seems that this did not get published at the beginning of March when it was scheduled?  Sorry for the lateness.

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