The Return of the Light {part 1: The Knife}
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December is a month of transition, a month of closure and a month of expectation. Ancient lore tells us that within this month, there is a period of time when it appears that the sun has stopped moving across the sky. These days of little light, known now as the Winter Solstice, was originally a time of worry. What if the sun didn’t resume its journey across the sky? What if the light didn’t return?
I find a lot of similarity and comfort in these stories as we face the long winter months of the COVID pandemic, the country’s divisiveness, and the multitude of massive issues that need to be addressed. It can feel as if the sun has stopped moving, can’t it? Like nothing will change and we might never find ourselves on the other side?
Much like our ancestors, we too can find solace in rituals and practices that warm our hearts, stoke the fires of hope and rekindle the flames of connection. The first of these ancient tools that we need is The Knife.
Psychologically, a knife can represent
Carving out a life for yourself
A tool for cutting through obscurity and seeing into hidden things
Cut away what is no longer needed and carving out new beginnings
An ability to learn new ways
And, this is what I really want to talk about in today’s class - an ability to learn new ways.
Our asleep heart/mind doesn’t want to learn. In fact, it avoids learning at all costs.
It doesn’t want to know because to know is to invite in a willingness to be changed by what you learn. And, an asleep heart DOES NOT WANT CHANGE.
To an asleep heart, a fearful, limited life is better than an unknown future. An asleep heart nudges us to greet transitions by saying, “I hope things go back to the way they were...”
In contrast, an awake heart sees the open expanse up ahead and invites in EXACTLY what she or he wants to see there in new and fresh ways.
When we acknowledge the metaphorical knife in hand {and heart} we are opening ourselves up to a willingness to learn new ways.
Many of us have learned how to navigate life in a mask and without hugs or handshakes. We have carved out new spaces for working from home, schooling from home and still living from home. We are re-learning how to celebrate birthdays and holidays; we are re-learning how to grieve and acknowledge loss. And, man, are we learning how to live and love through fear.
Join me in this first part of my December meditation series as we call forth the tools we need to navigate the transition from 2020 to 2021. Let’s practice.
This meditation series is supported by 2 special live, virtual events designed for deeper exploration:
The Winter Solstice celebration on 12/21/20
New Year’s Day Mini Meditation Retreat on 1/1/21
Learn more here: https://www.union.fit/orgs/meryl-arnett
You can practice with me live each Monday as I record this podcast. My virtual meditation class includes time for Q&A and a chance to connect with me personally! https://www.union.fit/orgs/meryl-arnett
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