In Ten Minutes
Watching the strong wind boldly swirl the autumn leaves, I had the thought that life can feel that way. There we are, minding our own business when whoosh, something unexpected happens that turns us around. Sometimes it is a temporary state of uncertainty or strife; other times it’s not. Though conventional wisdom tells us to take a pill or a drink to escape, how viable are those forms of escapism as long-term solutions? Those of us who practice energy work, meditation, prayer, or mindfulness recognize there are other ways to cope and get centered. A Psychology Today article on the basics of meditation says, “Studies show that meditating even for as little as 10 minutes increases the brain’s alpha waves (associated with relaxation) and decreases anxiety and depression.” We are starting to do more work IRL (in real life) to give people the Soul Seeds’ meditation experience.
Early on a Sunday morning in late September, Nancy, Yvonne, and I attended the board retreat of the Tacoma Women of Color Collective (TWCC). They are a dynamic group of professionals dedicated to supporting one another and their communities to inspire change. After I spoke about our work, Nancy took them through a 10-minute meditation. Upon reflection, each woman reported feeling more centered. Some admitted it was tough to quiet their minds but eventually they did get to a feeling of calm. They also felt energized going into the creative visioning training for their group; it was an opportune time to share our work with women so deeply connected to their communities.
In our next session at the HYPE Center we were glad to have a staff person and 12 young people. Most were quite engaged, and it was encouraging to see the couple who had attended the previous session looking brighter and more centered. Driven by the participants, the conversation ranged from meditation to colors to astrology to Jesus. I also got a curt lesson on “not gendering someone before asking.” I’m learning; we’re all learning.
Though the meditation was just under 10 minutes, it was clear they were feeling the energy. One of the young men looked down at his upturned hands, fascinated by what he felt; others had that slightly blissed out expression (you know the look). Afterwards, a few chose to share their experiences. The most profound came from Moonlight (name changed), whose deep purple hair and dramatic attire made them a striking presence in the room. In the beginning, they did not join the circle and were rather confrontational… everything spoken with a tone of mistrust (they schooled me on not misgendering), but they did participate. After the meditation, they said, “Inside I always feel crazy chaotic and it’s really bad whenever I close my eyes. But this was the first time in my almost 20 years (other than once when my grandmother died) that I actually felt really calm inside.” Wow.
After the session was over, Moonlight told Nancy that with this sense of calm, they were more optimistic about getting a housing placement soon. Moonlight also told me they were so highly empathic that they profoundly felt all the physical pain of those around them – and had been called a “freak” all their life because of it. They had never met anyone like me or Nancy who understood and could offer ways to help them cope.
Hearing the reactions of the young people; appreciation from the staff person; and simply knowing each of them had been touched in some small way, I will self-consciously admit that Nancy and I left the building with a discreet high-five. THIS is the work of Soul Seeds. THIS is Healing with Humanity.
As West African elder, author, and teacher, Dr. Malidoma Somé says, “Healing is a revolutionary stance you take… to break apart the status quo.” Here’s to being revolutionaries, each in our own way.
Melanie Davis-Jones (she/her/hers)
Executive Director
In Case You Missed It:
Just in time for Halloween, The Dark and Light of the Spirit Realm | Blog by Nancy Rebecca. Scroll down to the end of the blog for 10 Tips to Protect Against the Darker Realms of Spirit.
Resources:
October is National Bullying Prevention Month to “encourage schools, communities and organizations to work together to stop bullying and cyberbullying … by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of all forms of bullying.” Resources for children at stompoutbullying.org and for adults at victimsupportservices.org.
It is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The National Breast Cancer Foundation reports that recently there have been decreases in screenings and early detection. NBCF supports women, particularly those who are vulnerable, by helping them get access to the education, screening, and support they need.
And, it’s World Vegetarian Month. Here are some ideas to help you celebrate.
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