Support the Healing Process
I'm listening to a lovely recording that Sharon Salzberg shared at the Healers on Healing virtual conference. I find myself pausing, rewinding, and listening again, because the content is so rich and asks for moments of pause and contemplation.
At one point during the recorded interview, she reflects on a conversation she had with a psychiatrist around the number one healing element in the psychotherapeutic relationship. The psychiatrist said love is the number one healing element and Sharon wondered if it was the fact that the person showed up to participate in the session - that they were willing to try without certainty that it would be helpful. These are interesting ideas to explore and we might explore these ideas with curiosity as to whether they are also contributors in our own healing process (regardless of whether we're working with a therapist).
Show up.
Love.
The full human experience includes suffering. We may suffer physically, mentally, or emotionally. Through intention we can lean into our mindfulness meditation practice to support healing. We can show up (through ordinary, informal mindful awareness and in formal meditation practice) with love for ourselves (ie. self-compassion, patience, gratitude, loving kindness) and then allow the journey to unfold in its own way, on its own time.
Healing is not a straight line, and it rarely arrives on our preferred timeline. But perhaps what Sharon and that psychiatrist were pointing to is simpler than we think - show up, bring love, and trust the process to unfold. That's the practice.
Show up. Love.
What helps you take good care of yourself, even on the harder days?
Hit reply and share.
Warmly,
Julia
Scroll down for mindfulness resources.
Reminder: All CMP Programs are in the Eastern Time Zone.
6-Minute Self-Compassion Break
12-Minute Gratitude Meditation
Erika's Blog - Where do you practice?
FREE: Good Morning, Autumn - A 21 Day Meditation Series
