Be the Light on this Inauguration Day

Be the light.

Outrage fatigue. It’s a thing. I have a feeling that many of you have experienced it during these trying political times. Whatever your political affiliation, there are issues that have outraged all of us. As a therapist, I have talked with countless people who are struggling with true anxiety, depression and stress related to our political (and social) realm. It’s real, true and important. We feel helpless and out of control. The perfect recipe for anxiety. Anxiety has a lot to do with feeling out of control.

In our political and social climate, it is incredibly easy to feel out of control and as if nothing we do makes a difference. But, there is a way to make a difference. By focusing on (personal) inner peace and joy. It seems like a small solution, but it’s a big one. And one that yields major results. When we are happier, more peaceful and more joyful, we create physiological changes to our body. When our body feels better, we can be more joyful. When we are more joyful, we allow our own light to shine which affects everyone. This is how change begins.

The greatest thing you can do, in wanting to contribute to a peaceful nation, is to be peaceful yourself. Be aware of your mood. Be very aware of your mood and care about it deeply. Avoid things that deplete your energy. Embrace people, places and things that bring joy.

Care about your mood.

Yes, there are some difficult and awful things going on in the world, showcased 24/7 in the news. Limit your time watching it and when you do watch anything upsetting, counter it with something positive. Watch an episode of Modern Family, or Super Soul Sunday, or go for a walk and listen to some inspirational music or talks. This helps create more balance.

Science has shown that our thoughts can create change in the body and in the world. Jung’s work in consciousness, specifically the collective unconscious, shows the importance and power of our societal thinking. What you think, do and how you act contributes to the world.

Research has shown that when we practice a loving kindness meditation, focusing on sending love and positive vibes to other people, our vagus nerve (our largest cranial nerve) is stimulated creating a positive, physiological change in our body. There is a true mind body connection that has been demonstrated with science. An exciting field that is now becoming more mainstream in the West.

When you feel out of control, anxious about the days ahead, stressed about the political or social realm, practice creating peace from within. If we all practiced this, every day, things would begin to change.

Teach your children about the importance of their thoughts and that their mood matters. Teach them ways to feel relaxed, peaceful and at ease. Talk to them about their strengths. Practice loving kindness meditation as a family.

Breathe into the only part of this culture that we can immediately control: ourselves.

As we move more toward peace and joy, we will be able to share that more deeply with the world, creating change. If we are strong from the inside, we can make more change.

A crushed flower, no matter how beautiful, cannot continue to bloom. Take care of yourself. And care about your mood and your own personal inner peace. Your inner peace will radiate and affect the world’s consciousness for the better.

Let’s create change one person at a time.

Here’s how to practice Loving Kindness Meditation:

Begin by taking three deep breaths.

Breathe in and out focusing on the heart center, and begin by generating this kind feeling toward yourself. Notice any self-judgments that might come up and gently work to release them.

Continuing to breathe in and out, use either these traditional phrases or ones you choose yourself. Say or think them several times.

May I be free from inner and outer harm and danger.

May I be safe and protected.

May I be free of mental suffering or distress.

May I be happy.

May I be free of physical pain and suffering.

May I be healthy and strong.

May I be able to live in this world happily, peacefully, joyfully, with ease.

Next, move to a person who most invites the feeling of pure unconditional loving kindness, the love that does not depend on getting anything back. This could be a child, your teacher, mentor, a parent or grandparent, or teacher. It should be someone that it takes no effort to feel respect and reverence, someone who immediately elicits the feeling of care. Repeat the phrases for this person: “May she be safe and protected….”

After feeling strong unconditional love for that person, move to a person you regard as a dear friend and repeat the phrases again, breathing in and out of your heart center.

Now move to a neutral person, someone for whom you feel neither strong like nor dislike. As you repeat the phrases, allow yourself to feel loving kindness for their well-being.

Now move to someone you have difficulty with–you may have hostile feelings, resentments. Repeat the phrases for this person.

Feel your mind, body and spirit connected-ness throughout this process.

After the difficult person, radiate loving kindness out to all people and animals... all living beings. Stay in touch with the any feelings of warmth, love, energy or peace that stems from the center of your being, and begin to envision loving kindness for all people.

May all beings be safe, happy, healthy, live joyously…..

May all living beings be safe, happy, healthy, live joyously…..

May all breathing beings be safe, happy, healthy, live joyously…..

May all individuals be safe, happy, healthy, live joyously…..

May all beings in existence be safe, happy, healthy, live joyously…..

Finish with three more cleansing breaths.

With love, Meghan