Lesson #5: Bringing Mourning Into Your Daily LIfe!


One of the most profound lessons I recently learnt is to incorporate mourning into my daily life!

Sounds strange doesn't it?

Well it did for me too! As I looked at the agenda for the first day of the nine day Intensive International Training on Non-Violent Communications (www.cnvc.org), I was struck by the 'Mourning' section at the end of each day.

In all the numerous gatherings I have attended across the world, this was indeed a new one! The session was entitled something like "Harvesting- Mourning and Celebrations." So, when we gathered around, each person started talking about what they celebrated for the day. Ah, I quickly figured, this I know.....

But then, the lead facilitator Kirsten Kristensen asked us to pause. She said she would like to see that this space was used equally for 'mournings.' And then it started...one person started and another followed....The mourning was about our needs that had not been met during the day. It was recognition of a longing that still existed. All too often, one tries to push these under the carpet. But, here, we were talking about this out in the open!

Imagine this....at your workplace....if at the end of the day, people spoke up about how they were 'dissatisfied' with the day, how that might sound?  I speak for myself that typically I would have thought that this person was 'out of sync' and his/her comments are bringing the overall morale down. But, as this practice became a daily ritual over the next few days, I realised how wonderfully powerful and liberating acknowledging unfulfilled needs can be.

By shining a light on these needs, one indeed becomes more aware of oneself- and connects with the river within us. By flowing in this river of mindfulness, one can touch the calm that lies beneath. I actually did touch it ever so often over the past two weeks. "Dil Maange More" (the heart wants more)

This morning, nudged by a very special individual, have made a slight change into my routine - My daily gratitude practise will now also incorporate needs that were not met the previous day...and are still alive. A wonderful practical and deep practise of mindfulness! 

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