For the past seven months, I've been hosting a daily meditation series. I knew when I started it that it would provide an anchor, an obligation and a sense of routine not only for the participants, but also for myself. What I didn't anticipate was the strong sense of connection.
Some of the participants I see five days a week at our optional live zoom call. Some of these folks have been practicing with me since the beginning of the series in April and although we only chat for a few minutes before the meditation, we have formed a bond. We share in celebrations and commiserate in hardships, vocalize our thoughts of confusion, fear, and uncertainty about our current world. We wish each other a good weekend, a safe day, and check in on each other when one doesn't join us for the odd practice.
Some of the participants I see through comments on our private Facebook group. They might simply like the recorded meditation for the day, or post a comment about their experience. Sometimes they send me a private message sharing their thoughts.
Some of the participants reach out to me through the daily emails I send with the links to the recordings. It might be a simple, "thanks" or "hey, I'm really enjoying this - it's made a difference in my life."
Some of the participants I may not hear from at all. They choose to keep their experience to themselves and simply enjoy the series.
All of the participants I feel connected to. Knowing that we are engaging a practice of meditation together. Sometimes daily, sometimes sporadically, always with intention.
It's a type of connection I didn't expect through a series that is only virtual and sometimes without a personal interaction. I had a pre-conceived notion of what connection would look like and Zoom and recorded content was not a part of it. But, when I lead those meditations, whether in person, on Zoom, or pre recording the content, I have a sense of the people I am creating for. I have a hope for their experience and an intention of holding space for them as individuals.
We feel connected to characters in film and literature, favorite stories and memories, we rally for shared causes with strangers. Is it really so far fetched that we can still feel a connection to people with a common purpose, without having to see them in person, or even meet them?
Perhaps there are ways you have felt connected that you didn't expect - through school, social, or family interactions? I'd love to hear in the comments below or send me a personal message. Let's stay connected.
“The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention...A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words.” ~Rachel Naomi Remen~
Comments