I’ve been having a bit of trouble coming upon an experiment that would encompass this time of such challenge, after Hurricane Katrina and all the subsequent tragedies.  In addition to donating money and clothing, I’ve also consistently found myself returning to practices that focus on compassion. 

And so, what I’d like to offer for this week is a reminder of a couple of practices that I hope will give some support to all of us as we move, collectively, through the aftermath and healing from the hurricane disaster.

Tonglen
Remember that with tonglen, you take on a willingness to be present to suffering – your own and that of others – in an “actively interactive” way.  Begin by finding a place where you can sit comfortably and feel supported.  Focus your awareness in your heart space – perhaps envisioning a flame or a spiritual figure there, filling your heart with compassion.  Next, imagine the aspect of suffering you want to bring into your practice this time.  For example, you may want to emphasize loss, or anger, or helplessness – whatever aspect of the tragedy and your own responses to it you’d like to emphasize.  Then, affirm that this aspect of suffering is a universal experience, that you and countless others will suffer loss, a sense of helplessness, or whatever you’ve brought into your awareness.  Then, imagine that you breathe this suffering into your heart space, where it is neutralized, transformed, and freed by the fire in your heart.  Fill that neutralized energy with qualities of compassion, ease, peace – whatever quality you want to send to those who suffer – and breathe it out through your heart, out into the world, out into your own body-mind being.  Continue to breathe in suffering for as long as you feel moved to do so.

If you’re concerned about breathing suffering directly into your body, you can imagine that there is a cleansing light surrounding you.  As you breathe in the suffering, notice that it is neutralized and cleansed before it reaches your heart space, and that the cleansed energy is then available to be filled with qualities of compassion.

Metta – Lovingkindness
The lovingkindness meditation is one that wishes for all beings that they be free from suffering, including yourself.  To do this meditation, I invite you to click on the Meditations page and read the long version.  There are many versions of lovingkindness meditation out there, so use whichever one resonates best for you.

Prayer
Whatever your spiritual or religious tradition, I invite you to take extra time to spend time in prayer, meditation, or contemplation, above and beyond what you normally do.  Allow this time to focus specifically on those who suffered from the effects of the hurricane and related events.

Healing Circles
If there are like-minded people with whom you are connected – either people you can come together with physically or those you can link up with at a given time for a healing circle “at a distance” – I encourage you to gather with others to send healing energy and wishes to those who are suffering.  In some healing circles, participants spend time in prayer.  In others, participants visualize those who suffer as enfolded in healing light.  Then, they send into that light their intention that whatever healing is available or needed will happen in the best ways possible for each individual concerned.

These are just a few of the possible ways you can offer those who have suffered from the hurricane and its effects your compassion and wishes for healing.  Whatever works best for you, remember that a heart that is open to receive the suffering of others is more resilient than a heart that closes itself off from recognizing and experiencing this powerful aspect of our human condition.  And, as with all our explorations into conscious living, offer compassion to yourself.