Paul Vargis
TyTonight I was blessed to be asked to be a substitute facilitator for a book group exploring Valarie Kaur’s No Stranger, here are the notes. As well, my opening Land Acknowledgement, I have also attached a poster from Centennial College on things to consider in regards to Land Acknowledgements.
This week as we enter the love ourselves portion of the compass; it is about taking time to breathe. Which can be a triggering statement for many, yet at its core, is about centering in the holy presence within, through and without the interconnection of creation. The chapter, for those engaging, will see the personal and communal crisis that intersect, and how all these pieces interplay within our own holistic (mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health), as well, for the helper/advocate how easy it is to disengage from our own care to continue the struggle for a better world to our own detriment.
Before this Thursday, take time to breathe. Engage in this body scan, to slow down, and reconnect the pieces of us we tend to keep separate:
Mindfulness – Body Scan – Anxiety Canada
As well, please note the attachment from Centennial College, some things to consider in regards to Land Acknowledgements, so it is not simply a passive exercise or words but can grow into more a point of engagement, reflection and reconciliation.
Now onto the questions:
For Breathe from No Stranger:
1. When someone says to you, breathe, what do you feel?
2. When have we had an intersection of personal and communal crisis as Kaur was sharing? What were our perceived responsibilities (i.e., work, church, volunteer activities, etc.) that we continued to push through? What happened? What did you learn in the process?
3. It is easy for us to wonder into the USA context Kaur writes from, but what are communal crisis or changes in Calgary or Alberta that we need to practice breathe? Remember that change happens in life, what is usually forgotten in the process of change is that it brings grieving with it, it can be instantaneous such as our favourite brand of coffee is out of stock at the grocery store, or longer term with health, career changes, or loss of loved ones. But being present, through breathing can aid (for more on being present you may want to explore U Theory).
A Monk's Musings 