Welcome to this Integrative Wisdom Meditation,
Litany of Loss.
This meditation provides us the formal expression of sorrow over all the meaningful cultural events we are not currently able to experience.
During this time we are coming to realize just how deeply our shared moments of celebration touch us and give depth to our days.
While we are able to continue to live our lives day in and day out,
A bit of our soul is lost and unless we pay attention we may find ourselves heartsick with an ailment other than physical.
This is a meditation to tend to that part of our being.
Let us begin.
Take a deep breath as you close your eyes.
Take a moment to sense the enormity of your showing up to this particular meditation.
Breathing easily in and out,
In the next few breaths pay close attention to your gut.
In times such as these,
You may sense an emptiness or tightness there.
If so,
And even if you do not,
Take the next few breaths to consciously breathe an intention of care and concern into this space.
As you do this,
Notice any emotions that might be rising to the surface.
We might recognize these as part of the grief we carry over missing so many milestone events in our lives and the lives of our loved ones.
Let us send a healing breath of love tenderly.
We deserve this moment.
And now hold steady with each breath as we prepare to begin our litany.
As we begin,
We acknowledge that many of the events spoken out loud here may not touch us personally.
So with those,
We agree to send the healing breath out to our community of life,
Those we may not know,
But we can recognize their grief.
And we choose to breathe with them,
And perhaps even for them,
A breath at a time.
With each missed activity,
Event,
Or milestone,
Please take the time to reflect on this loss.
Yours,
Those you know or love,
Or those that are unknown to you.
Let us first allow for the recognition of pain and sadness,
Followed by imagining a soft,
Gentle breeze blowing softly and easily,
Loosening the rough edges,
And providing solace.
After each one,
Please say with me,
I honor this loss.
And now let us begin.
I acknowledge the loss of birthday gatherings.
Together,
I honor this loss.
We honor the births that we cannot attend.
And together let us say,
I honor this loss.
We acknowledge the loss of holding those newborn infants.
Together we say,
I honor this loss.
We acknowledge the anniversary celebrations,
Sacred and holy.
And together,
I honor this loss.
We honor the funerals and celebrations of life that we are unable to attend.
And together we say,
I honor this loss.
We acknowledge the graduations and all the events that go along with this special moment.
And together we say,
I honor this loss.
We acknowledge the special trips that may have been in the works for years that we are unable to enjoy.
And together we say,
I honor this loss.
We acknowledge the special pilgrimages or journeys of faith that may have been planned years in advance as well.
Together we say,
I honor this loss.
We acknowledge the planned weddings with all of the events and festivities that go along with this.
And together we say,
I honor this loss.
We acknowledge those beginning their college careers are those that were away at college and have found themselves returning back just as they were perhaps getting used to their new lives.
And together we say,
I honor this loss.
And again,
Just to remind you that not only are we taking the moment to acknowledge this grief,
Sorrow,
Pain,
But we are also sending a breath of healing when the wind of solace of comfort with each loss.
And so breathing in,
Breathing out,
We acknowledge the baptisms,
The religious ceremonies,
Those milestones within our spiritual communities,
The weekly gatherings to honor our most cherished beliefs.
And together we say,
I honor this loss.
We acknowledge the day-to-day events,
The simple yet profound ones they are no longer with us,
The baseball games,
The sport activities,
The dance classes,
The workout classes,
Volunteering,
Book clubs,
Sewing classes,
On and on for those day-to-day events.
And together let us say,
I honor this loss.
Going to school every day for our children.
Together we say,
I honor this loss.
And for those milestones within our careers,
Our work,
Our training in the world,
For all of those moments that aren't happening right now,
Together let us say,
I honor this loss.
And now breathing deeply,
Take a moment to acknowledge any other sacred events or milestones you or your loved ones will be missing.
And together let us say,
I honor this loss.
Breathing in and breathing out,
See if you can sense all the other souls that are breathing into this space with us,
Providing ever more love and support.
We are not in this alone.
The deep emotions we feel are shared.
By taking part in this litany,
We are providing healing to our fellow souls as well as our own.
And so let us breathe a breath of gratitude.
As we prepare to end our time here,
Make a promise to return to this practice whenever you notice any emotional pain you are feeling due to these losses.
Let yourself once again tend to your grief.
Imagine once again a gentle breeze of healing wind blowing softly and easily,
Loosening the rough edges and providing solace.
And now,
When you are ready,
Breathe deeply,
Open your eyes and know you are a part of a community of love,
Never alone,
Even in these times.
At this time together let us say,
Amen.
Sending you love.
Amen.
