Being Present for Meditation
When we come together to do the work of peacemaking, as a staff at a center, a continuing education workshop, or a meeting for families or of a community, many things fill our minds, from to-do lists to celebrations, to deep worries.
The work of peace making might be as simple as a staff meeting, or as complex as a weeklong workshop. Peacemaking can take place in many situations; be it a meeting with an unhappy family, a discipline issue with a staff member, a family art night, or a planning meeting for an exciting community event.
No matter why we come together, when we want to work together, especially with collaboration and consensus, it is helpful to “be present.” We can take the time to clear our minds of all the outside thoughts, agree to be present with each other during the time we have together, and shift ourselves into a growth mindset. Being open to the experience of being and working together.
A great way to set the tone and come together, especially after a long day or to work with an emotional or deep topic, is to offer an opening meditation. It could be as simple as asking everyone to take 3 breaths together. My children’s school uses “ocean breathes” where arms are raised and dropped to flow like the ocean waves and the out breath is a “woosh” or a “shhhh.” It’s so charming to watch and it brings everyone so beautifully to a place of quiet.
In our Level I training, we offer the following meditation to participants. Asking us all to open our minds and be ready to learn together through the deeply personal and thoughtful work of becoming peace educators.
We offer it to you now. Feel free to use it as it or change it to meet your needs. Or be encouraged to look for other sources and options that suit.
Meditation
If you are exactly where you are meant to be, you can believe that everyone else in this room is exactly where they are meant to be.
We are all connected, and we are all in flux.
Turn your focus to your belly, to the rise and fall of your breath.
Can you decide, right now, to open your heart and your mind to the opportunity, the learning, and the tools that this training has to offer? To the people in this room?
Can you decide now, to create a safe space of curiosity, non-judgement, and kindness for the people in this room. And curiosity for the learning that will be presented?
This is our wish for you.
If we can open our hearts and our minds to the content of this weekend and the people around us, we may have new tools and strategies for promoting peace, for ourselves and for those around us.
We will be better prepared to be the change we want to see in the world.
We will have new and deepened partnerships.
Each of us will emerge a new, more capable and inspired version of ourselves.
Let’s take one last breath together (Model a deep breath). And open your eyes.
This article is part of our Summer 2023 Newsletter. See all articles.
