This little Peace/Love VW car moves forward, if you first move it back. As I was playing with my 2 year grandson, coaching him on this illogical action of moving back to go forward, my attention became immersed in the application to change, the changing and unpredictable dynamics always present, and with heightened levels of awareness now.

Plans made long ago are no longer moving forward; they are going backwards. Graduations, concerts and trips are canceled. We are practicing physical distancing; businesses are closed and stores have been depleted of what many consider basic necessities. In many ways this feels like we are going back, to a different time. And, we are. That’s okay if, and only if, we can hold loosely plans and expectations. Therein lies the difficult part of going backwards for we are often ever focused on ‘what is next’ and the ‘next bright shiny thing or ‘to do’’. Our society, myself included, has primarily become consumed with what is next? Which takes away from what is now.

This is a time filled with pregnant pause. The sense of an impending new something, the uncertainty of what that will be, and the holding on to what was, in retrospect, seemingly an easier time. Yet, perhaps it wasn’t an easier time for we were rushing from one something to the next, often with barely a bit of intermission. It was a more predictable, less uncomfortable time.

My observation now is the pause, when we feel like we are going backward and are about to release into fast forward. What we may be facing has the potential to be death ladened, yet layered with inspiration and always girded with anchors of peace in the uncertainty. May I be oh, so very wrong, on the first part; knowing we can all do our part to minimize the impact while allowing the present nature of change. I also am certain of the synchronicity of every bit of life, even, as with most times, the larger picture seems momentarily encased in fog.

So, how are you invited to go backwards in order to allow the forward unfolding to appear, and to embrace these moments of what may feel, in retrospect, like the pause before? I would answer this question many ways, including a daily gentle reminder that we are all in this together, we are all one and connected, and everyone is doing the best they can. I am invited to go even deeper into daily practices that invite the sense of being with what each breath shows me; what I welcome and what is unwelcomed, the light and the shadow. To try to navigate the ways I can support myself and others, to find that balance between too much and not enough. To know I am enough, and so are you.

As we all practice our own versions of physical distancing, virtual offerings are abounding. Four virtual weekly offerings, all donation based, that I feel drawn to contribute are located on the Offerings Page. No advance registration required – just join the link 5 minutes prior to start. As learned in past experiences from others, the sound for these offerings is best used by using optimizing headphones, speaker, or simply placing your phone in a bowl or casserole dish.

Remember:

"We are all just walking each other home."

-Ram Daas