Shared Humanity
Recently, I have been so lucky to be able to participate in a number of LIVE yoga classes with Samudra Yoga Studio in Biddeford, Maine. This is something that I used to take for granted. The sweetness of being in a group as we all settle into a warrior posture or all flip into a downward facing dog together is immeasurable. These shared experiences are largely missing right now - sitting together in a theater, taking the same flight, dancing, singing, I can go on and on. What these all have in common is that we are together in community, enjoying each other, and we do not stop and ask about political opinion, belief, etc, we all just appreciate the sweetness of being together. And who among us would not stop to help an injured person, carry someone’s bags, open a door?
One sad element of this pandemic isolation is that many people seem to have forgotten our shared humanity. Tight in our little camps, I have seen and heard the most amazing things from people. It feels like the horror of cyber bullying which had been in the news about middle schoolers has spread to adults. Without seeing a person, even a friend, face to face, sometimes social media is our only way of connecting. A person’s typed one line is all that you see. We don’t get the benefit of nuance, facial expression, or the long conversation and shared experience before and after the statement. We are all raw and exhausted and on our last straw. How quickly people are to jump to judgment about someone these days.
This whole 2020 situation provides us the opportunity to join together in shared experience. It doesn’t need to divide us.
I have been trying to live on my “third thoughts.” It’s what I say as an alert to my family when they get tired and sloppy. Don’t respond with the first instinct or even the second thought, but wait for the measured third thought. Likely, by then, you can be kind, pulled together, and open hearted. Of course, I don’t know if I am succeeding, but at least I can try.
Copyright 2020 Nancy C Murray
If you would like to participate in my daily healing meditations at 12:15 to 12:45 every day, please email me and I will send you the link.
Nancy C Murray is a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, Reiki master and spiritual leader. She leads public and private yoga classes and healing sessions, transformational courses, and also retreats and spiritual journeys.
We plan on walking the Camino again in 2021! Click here for more information.
