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Awakening.
Six years ago, I called my boyfriend (now husband) and said, we're pregnant. Like a car screeching to a halt, the image of my life changed; forever. I was no longer living for myself. I was living for us. I had solo-traveled, hobbed-knobbed with the who's who, risen the ranks of the corporate ladder, dabbled in drugs, sweated and meditated for spiritual journies, and yet, I never was awakened like I was when I met my daughter. It was the call.
In Buddhist traditions, there are seven components of awakening...continue reading below under the section, “Bonus: Inward Reflections”.
Meditation Practice
13-minute meditation. This meditation invites you to explore the seven components of awakening. Remember this may be new to you. Be kind to yourself as you explore your own inner wisdom. Some days it comes easier than others but over time it strengthens. Easy does it and begin again. :) Listen here.
Daily Intention: “I smile at my capacity to awaken.”
Living awake takes intentionality, may this phrase be a gentle reminder that you can. When you get thrown off your path, which is to be expected and okay, use this as a “raft to get to the other shore”.
Bonus: Inward Reflection
The Seven Components of Awakening:
Mindfulness: Reminds us where we are, what we are doing, and who we are with.
Investigation: Gives us inner wisdom.
Energy: Generates from a deep sense that life has meaning.
Ease: Makes rest and care for ourselves a priority.
Joy: Is in us; not in things. We value communion with ourselves and others.
Concentration: Builds the eyes of love and understanding.
Letting go: Cultivates equanimity; a loving mind.
Awakening is not a flash in the pan or a one-and-done kind of thing. It is all the time and often found in the simplest of moments. Like rocking a 3-week-old baby girl at 2:30 in the morning in 2017.
I was aware of being right there in that moment with her. A mom, rocking a baby, caring and nurturing her life. I had the space to stop and witness my thoughts, and my body, and look deeper into the nature of what it means to be human. I felt more alive than ever; knowing that life is full of meaning, hope, and intention. My heart exploded with joy watching the little tiny corners of her mouth turn upward into a smile while she was dreaming and on occasion, she would giggle. BEAM! I was a little joy-light beaming in the middle of the night. My attention and concentration were for the first time on the seeds of understanding and compassion. I experienced a sense of inner freedom I didn’t know was possible before and most importantly I let go. The dirty laundry, spit up, poop, discharge from my body, stretch marks, change in my schedule, limited sleep…the list was endless. Every change imaginable had arrived along with this transition and my task was to let it go and return back to her (the present) again and again. Thich Nhat Hanh describes The Seven Factors of Awakening as, "The practice of love.", which only a master like him could easily state.
I was practicing the faculties of awakening before I knew what they were and I have no doubt you have and are too. My hope is that with clarity and through a personal share, you may never doubt yourself, trust you can, and always do answer the call. That you have more information now than before to practice opening up (to life).
Use this week’s question to reflect on a moment when you felt like there was an awakening in your life or notice which of the seven components of awakening you feel most called to practice. Maybe you want to write the story of it, tell a close friend, or even share it below with the Calm Point community.
Friendly note:
It’s never easy to be vulnerable and share a personal story. I struggled to press publish on this newsletter. I second-guessed myself this morning and was just about to scrap it all. I stopped to read my email and received a newsletter from a child behavioral specialist I admire (Dr. Siggle Cohen). She shared a personal story of her own and said, “We should practice opening up. To be reminded how similar we all are and that we are all in this together.” Serendipity? Maybe? In any event, I took it as a friendly sign to continue. My hope is that I pass on the same courage to you, to tell your stories.
Question of the week: When did you experience a moment of awakening in your life? What gifts have you received from this experience?
Tip: Take a few deep breaths and consider an experience (big or small) that moved you to see life from a deeper awareness. If you’re not sure, use this week’s meditation practice to help guide you through the seven components of awakening.
KEEP THE CONVO GOING
Did the newsletter leave you wondering, want to add your own thoughts on the topic of awakening, or share a new topic you’d like to discuss? Comment below.
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Weekly Practice: Awakening