Calmness in Times of Chaos
by Chris Kishiyama
Chief Mindfulness Officer, Namasté Center For Healing
A life changing virus that has impacted our world
Two earthquakes in 8 hours that rocked our state
The kids suddenly being ordered to stay home from school
Many folks being forced to work remotely losing their employment
What do all of these have in common?
They are things that are out of our control.
How often are we caught up in the chaos of fear only to try and hold on even tighter? Notice if you are doing this; gripping fear so tightly that you feel agitated, angry, irritable or all of the above. How would it feel to close your eyes right now and surrender to this moment? How would it feel to turn the volume down in your head so that the only sound you hear are the whisper of a gentle breeze? At any moment during the day, we can create mindful stillness if we choose. I call it the The 4 Healers: Heart, Health, Head, and Harmony.
Heart- Now bring into your mind 3 people or memories which make you feel grateful. See their faces and warm smiles, the touch of their hand or comfort of a loving memory. Imagine being able to breathe directly in and out of your heart and feel the loving gratitude for all that you are and have. Say to yourself, “I am grateful and I am pure love.”
Health- Take in 3 deep breathes. Breathe to the count of 3-2-3 which means 3 rounds of 2 counts as you inhale (“1, 2”) and 3 counts as you exhale (“1,2,3”). See if you can settle into a gentle rhythm of breathing and see if you can connect with the gentle rhythm of life (after all, Spring is here!). Envision your body feeling rested, healthy and strong. Bring the awareness of gratitude to your health, having plenty of food to eat and clean water to drink. Say to yourself, “I live with a gentle rhythm of life.”
Head- Close your eyes and envision yourself stepping outside into a peaceful, beautiful place that you know. Envision the sight of the trees, grass/dirt and flowers and the warmth of the sun on your face. Notice the smell of a fresh forest, a mountainside, the salty air with sand under your feet, or wherever you have chosen to be. Say to yourself, “I am still and I am at peace.”
Harmony- Envision yourself standing in a surf resisting every wave that comes. Now imagine lifting your feet from the sand and feeling in harmony with the ocean. The ebb and flow of the water as it moves in and moves out with ease and grace. Allow the water to rock you gently back and forth with kindness, with love, with playfulness. Say to yourself, “ I no longer live in fear and choose patience, abundance, and kindness. I live in harmony within my soul.”
Please take care of yourself, friends. You deserve to spend a little time each day in a peaceful mental place.
Namasté,
-Chris