Thank you, Creative Workers of all disciplines, for using your skills to ease the effects of this pandemic in your local communities.
Enterprising creative workers are using their skills to ease New York through the public health crisis.
Mr. Rogers said, “Look for the helpers.”
May we look to the helpers today, including looking within ourselves. We are the helpers – through small & grand acts of kindness, generosity & compassion to our fellow humans & living beings.
The information is non-stop. The critique is non-stop. The truth is non-stop, & then the truth that’s “really the truth” is non-stop. I have experienced myself dealing in knee-jerk reactions right & left these days. I’m alternately dealing in anger, frustration, acceptance, compassion, & on & on. It’s exhausting.
I cannot imagine folks (maybe you) who are dealing with real, on-the-ground life/death issues right now. Currently, my personal world is simply inconvenienced by the global pandemic – not jumping in the car to go somewhere (I’ve not driven my car but twice in 60 days), not getting take-away tea lattes, or not getting to traipse around Target. Our budget has been crunched more than it already was – we, like many in the United States, are one personal disaster away from financial crisis. We are grateful for community & our families for their constant psychological, physical, & financial support.
I continually appreciate the wisdom from senior teachers in the Himalayan Tradition. Realizing I am privileged to be able to access, take in, process & choose to act upon this wisdom … & if you are in the same boat, please join me … I must take action on their advice for the well-being of myself SO THAT I may use my privilege to highlight & support those in really dire straits right now — whether mentally, physically, financially, or otherwise.
I think we are realizing, as Buddhist nun Pema Chodron has said, that we are in an ever-present state of groundlessness & yet constantly (futilely) trying to gain ground. We are realizing, as many proponents of #regenerativeagriculture have stated for decades, that our current global systems are NOT as stable nor as safe as we may have thought. Many of us have sensed, & yet now see in stark relief, that not all lives matter — whether that life be human, animal, plant or the environment.
Enter Fear.
Whether you or I feel like we’re handling this global upturning handily, or that we’re gasping for air — there’s a measure of fear in each of us, because there’s fear permeating the entire GLOBE. I’d hazard to argue that the “bring it on” cry by some toward this pandemic is a misguided use of the warrior archetype … there’s a book on my shelf by Paulo Coehlo called “Warrior of the Light” … a warrior at his/her best knows when to take pause & honor fear, rather than charging forward blindly because someone else riled them up (these warriors probably survived to tell the tale as well).
I am riled up. I feel anger that folks aren’t taking my grandmother’s life seriously with their brush-aside comments on social media. I feel frustrated that folks share memes versus scientific articles to ‘prove’ their point, & then call me all sorts of names when I express disagreement. I feel anger that workers deemed “essential,” like waitstaff, grocery store workers, & in-home caregivers are paid so poorly. I feel despondent that I can’t do much of anything to solve this global emergency. & I feel fear that myself or someone I love will contract the virus — my extended family has experienced the virus, & it’s terrifying.
I sit with these feelings daily, as I’m sure you do too.
There are days when I feel empowered — when I plant snap peas & see them growing, when I order from a local farm (check out Footprints Farm & Redrange Farm), when I see people in our community donating supplies to the domestic violence shelter or East End United Community Center. And when I teach yoga, resolving to bring some calm amidst the underlying currents of anxiety.
I hold (or I try to) these dualities — this feeling & also that opposite feeling — sometimes adeptly, sometimes like a drunken toddler. The modern Yoga industry would have us believe that it’s all love & light, that if we clear your chakras enough or work hard enough & we’ll receive the blessing, that you CHOSE what’s happening to you. I call BULLSHIT.
Sometimes shit happens in this world because shit happens. I’m not saying we bear no responsibility for the choices we make, so let’s just put that discussion aside for another time. What I’m saying is, maybe we practice holding the duality: that there are times when the choices we make DO have consequences AND AT THE SAME TIME sometimes shit — like being born into oppression, like miscarriage, like an unexpected illness, like a global pandemic — happens. No matter how much someone practices love, light, yoga, or making smoothies … we cannot blame ourselves (or passively-aggressively cause harm to others’ mental health) for a heartbreaking situation out of our / their control.
Maybe there’s a BOTH / AND to this life.
And here’s where I defer to Mr. Fred Rogers.
I need to go back & watch Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood reruns right now. Because Mr. Rogers didn’t deny feelings that are uncomfortable. He didn’t try to fix or make better or say, “Well, if you would’ve just worked harder or believed differently or …” He simply listened & witnessed without judgment. And he didn’t drive folks to be more productive. He encouraged kindness.
What a revolutionary. A warrior.
Father Gregory Boyle of Homeboy Industries comes to mind as well. Check out his books “Tattoos on the Heart” & the one I’m currently reading “Barking at the Choir.” You don’t have to subscribe to a faith tradition, in fact you may resonate more if you’re not!
In his over 3 decades of work with gang members in the most violent barrios of Los Angeles, Father Greg consistently holds duality right up to our hearts as he describes the unbelievable burdens former gang members carry alongside the absolute childlike wonder they experience in recovery / starting a new life … & elicits tears of joy & laughter simultaneously. “What if,” he says, “we stood in awe of the burdens people have to carry, rather than in judgment over how they carry those burdens? This is kinship.”
All of us worldwide — worldwide — are carrying unbelievable burdens right now. There’s so much information coming in, & furthermore the information changes daily. It’s overwhelming.
I’ve been listening to amazing speakers on the Resilience Summit with Ashley Turner. Koya Webb knocked me out when she said the following — if we are in the category of being able to take time for reflection, it’s our duty to do so. Some folks can’t take reflection time – they’re essential workers, maybe, or stressing about rent or how to take care of a sick baby. They don’t have time for reflection, & that’s appropriate. But those of us who are able to get quiet, we honor those who can’t by going within ourselves. In this way, we are part of the solution rather than the problem.
We reflect,
What’s going on around me? How am I feeling about all this right now?
How can I hold any dualities lightly, get curious, take pause, see in a new way?
If I’m feeling overwhelmed, how can I prioritize kindness rather than productivity?
When do I go into judgment? How does that feel in my body?
What burdens is that person/group carrying that I’m judging? How can I move from judgment of how they’re carrying those burdens, to AWE at the burdens they do carry? How does this feel in my body?
The mandala above was created a few days ago when I was feeling overwhelmed by all the non-stop & changing information coming in about my job(s), the virus, state re-opening policies, & the resulting vitriolic commentary on social media. Creating the mandala helped me to visualize what I was feeling, & then reflect on the fact that there’s a whole world within me to explore for wisdom (according to Yoga philosophy). I can create boundaries around my physical, mental & emotional being … I can trust the peace, quiet & clarity I find within.
So much to explore within … if you have the capacity, let’s honor those around us by getting quiet & listening. The solutions may be a breath away.
Wander to the bathroom, past yawning & stretching Tortilla 🐾.
At top of stairs, consiously bend knees so the dog rush doesn’t take me down.
Let dogs out.
Start 🍵 water. Neti pot. Wait, go open curtains for plants. Wait again, go outsode and uncover plants … Wait, go get compost to feed worm bins. Maybe I should walk early before it rains. Tortilla! Stop eating what’s probably gross.
Back inside. Make tea. Grab herbs/vitamins, protein drink, muffins. Head upstairs for morning practice. Wait, what was i thinking? Nevermind.
Consiciously slow at bottom of stairs so not taken out by dog rush.
Too many cars moving outside. Too early. Slow down.
Sit. Gonna meditate. Wait, get candle. Man, this space is messy. Am i more creative? Give myself a star? Ok, meditate.
Turn on phone … There’s FB … Crap, I’m gonna open it and look, aren’t i? Yep, down the rabbit hole. Stop. Close it. One more scroll. Oh well.
Ok, meditate. Eyes closed. Fidget. That FB post … Why? Breathe. Relax yoir breath. Really? Again w the posts? Noise. Outside. Too many cars. Slow down. Ok, meditate.
Start over.
A moment of quiet. Thank G-d.
And we’re back.
Time to draw. Thanks for this time #ourmandalauniverses … going off on my own here. Ah, now settling in. Just draw.
What does it mean? And why is it so noisy outside? Let the birds have the airspace a bit longer. Anyway …
Here’s an article from The Himalayan Institute’s Yoga International website that can support our current study of the yamas & niyamas, or ethical principles of Yoga. Enjoy.
I hope you’ll join me on Zoom on Sundays at 4pm EST & Tuesdays at 9am EST for live Hatha Yoga classes. Please email me at erica.seaverengel@gmail.com for the links & password =). Classes are donation-based, & donations of any amount can be made securely on Venmo to @erica-seaverengel. Thank you. I look forward to practicing with you!
Has it happened to you – that you’ve questioned what day it is?
It’s only been a week, with what looks like several more to come, of physical distancing in Uniontown, PA due to COVID-19 pandemic. A colleague & friend, Jennifer, said this during our online check-in meeting:
“It’s like a month’s worth of communication has come down in one week …”
Yep.
This afternoon, I participated in a well-being webinar for 4-H professionals, & the moderators asked “How are you feeling?” The answers were placed in a collage based on the number of times the feelings were mentioned … What did people say?
OVERWHELMED.
ANXIOUS.
STRESSED.
Those were the big 3 words in the collage, with riffs on those feelings in smaller font.
And I continue to hear the economic drumbeat to “keep going,” “find a new normal,” “make the most of your time,” etc.
And yet smart, hardworking professionals in that well-being forum clearly stated what we are collectively feeling – overwhelm, stress, anxiety. What does it say when our society brushes off the truth of human feeling in favor of “business as usual” (albeit in alternative ways)?
I don’t have answers … Heck, I have to think about what DAY it is …
I do know it’s not business as usual for me or many of my friends, family, & colleagues.
So here’s what I’ve been listening to & watching today … to support my nervous system & recalibrate my understanding:
My grandma gave me this book of Grandpa’s when we visited her in Wisconsin after Grandpa died on Ash Wednesday … before the lockdowns. I uncovered it when tidying this morning …
As we collectively experience more & more restrictions to our movements (which I fully support), Truths about my practices have started to bubble up. Areas where I’m “doing yoga” for appearances, & the aspects of my practice that are truly transformative … as well as areas of Yoga that I have neglected / only given lip service to.
This is humbling.
I am grateful to my teachers. Rather than rush forward with new programs, classes or “content” to match the global hysteria … I’ve observed them slow down. Stop, even. Get off the train.
Maybe we need to lay to rest “going viral.”
In this slowing down, the fear-based part of my psyche is more than a little terrified. For my grandma, who as of this weekend is not allowed to leave her assisted living facility apartment. For friends across the country now experiencing symptoms. For the unknown ahead …
So, Silence & Solitude. Practices to access the still, calm, clear part of me that is always present. (I wish the same access for you, Friend.)
Today’s Legs Up the Wall pose comes to you from Baxter’s window, where he watches his stories …
How are you resting today, friends?
This pose has become a daily practice for me. Let me know if you try it & how it goes …
Deep Restoration – 10-20 minutes
Legs up the Wall pose
Viparita Karani
“One of the most calming and deeply restorative arenas, especially following a vigorous practice, stressful day, or when feeling energetically down.” -Mark Stephens, Yoga Sequencing
Simple, to-the-point inversion.
Practice any time of day (lovely before bedtime).
You can practice against a wall, or simply swing legs over edge of couch or chair. COMFORT is paramount.
Legs can be bent of straight, relaxed arms near sides of body, & head/neck comfortable (a thin cushion is ok, pillow might cause kink in neck).
This pose can be made more comfortable using props found in your home – a firm blanket or pillow under the sacrum for tight hamstrings, a belt around the calves to relieve tension in leg muscles (I used a yoga block to give my hips some ease) …
This pose has become a daily practice for me. Let me know if you try it & how it goes …
Deep Restoration – 10-20 minutes
Legs up the Wall pose
Viparita Karani
“One of the most calming and deeply restorative asanas, especially following a vigorous practice, stressful day, or when feeling energetically down.” -Mark Stephens, Yoga Sequencing
Simple, to-the-point inversion.
Practice any time of day (lovely before bedtime).
You can practice against a wall, or simply swing legs over edge of couch or chair. COMFORT is paramount.
Legs can be bent of straight, relaxed arms near sides of body, & head/neck comfortable (a thin cushion is ok, pillow might cause kink in neck).
This pose can be made more comfortable using props found in your home – a firm blanket or pillow under the sacrum for tight hamstrings, a belt around the calves to relieve tension in leg muscles (I used a yoga block to give my hips some ease) …
