Photo credit: www.mindful.org
In this guided practice, Brenda K. Mitchell extends a compassionate invitation to individuals grappling with the overwhelming sensation of grief.
Grief can feel like an endless ocean, leaving us adrift in a sea of sorrow. In such moments, it may seem challenging to envision a life that extends beyond our pain and loss. Routine activities, moments of joy, and the ability to reminisce about a departed loved one without tears can appear unattainable, as if they exist in a realm far beyond our reach.
Brenda Mitchell’s guided meditation offers a gentle invitation to explore what she terms “the possibility of possible.” This approach does not demand immediate answers or an abundance of hope but instead nurtures a sensitive engagement with the difficult emotions tied to loss. It opens a slight window toward what could lie ahead, allowing room for healing and renewal.
Discovering the Possibility of Possible in Deep Grief
To begin, let us close our eyes and take several deep breaths together. Inhale deeply, counting to three, then exhale slowly, also to a count of three.
If it feels comfortable, place a hand over your heart. As you do this, gently release any tension or anxiety you may have brought into this space—whether it’s physical discomfort or emotional burdens. Allow yourself to relax, inhaling and exhaling once more with intention.
Now, take a moment to conduct a brief body scan, inviting a sense of ease and flow within your physical form. Find a position that feels particularly comfortable, allowing yourself to settle in as if you’re sinking into a cozy couch. Let the relaxation cascade down through your neck, allowing your body to receive the soothing energy of your environment.
Feel this sense of comfort radiate through your shoulders and down to your hands. Shake your hands gently to reclaim a sense of agency and awareness within your body. Allow this comforting energy to flow down through your torso, hips, thighs, and legs, grounding your feet firmly on the earth beneath you.
If you are navigating a moment of profound grief, I encourage you to create space for those emotions. In times of fragility and disappointment, it can be easy to close ourselves off from the possibility of positivity, succumbing to feelings of hopelessness. It might feel as though there are no visible paths forward.
For now, embrace the concept of “the possibility of possible.” There are no requirements for clarity, assurance, or overly optimistic expectations. This exercise hinges on merely opening the door a crack to what could eventually unfold.
Picture yourself softly settling into a visual of embracing this possibility. Envision the details—where are you physically? Inside or outdoors? Do you have companions around you? What colors and dreams come to mind, especially those that may have remained dormant during your grieving process? Can you feel the warmth of the sun or the beauty of the sky? How does accepting the reality of past pain coexist with the anticipation of new possibilities?
As you feel ready, I invite you to open your eyes and return to this moment with me. I would like to share a poem that has inspired me toward envisioning a hopeful future. Written by Gilda Radner, it reflects on the unpredictability of life: I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. It’s called Delicious Ambiguity. Thank you for participating in this practice.
Source
www.mindful.org