Let’s imagine we’re all astronauts, hopelessly stranded in space.
Heavy, right?
If, in that moment, someone asked us for our deepest wish, what do you think we might say?
In his book “Fear”, Thich Naht Hanh reasons our deepest wish might be, “To be back home walking on our beautiful planet Earth.”
In that moment, the greatest gift we could receive would be the feeling of solid ground against our feet.
Here’s the great thing – we’re not lost in space.
Not really.
We’re all presently on Earth.
Just as we’ve been since the election.
Just as we’ve been since we were born.
A Zen Master named Linji once said, “The miracle is not to walk on water or fire. The miracle is to walk on the earth.”
Walking the earth requires staying present with ourselves. We can use affirmations to welcome each moment – here’s one from Thich that inspires me:
Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and failure to listen, I am committed to cultivating loving speech and compassionate listening to relieve suffering and promote reconciliation and peace in myself and among other people, ethnic and religious groups, and nations.
I am committed to speaking truthfully, using words that inspire confidence, joy, and hope.
I will speak and listen in such a way as to help myself and the other person to transform suffering and see the way out of difficult situations.
I will nourish my capacity for understanding, love, and inclusiveness.
Whether you’re at your desk, roaming the earth, or floating through space – let’s find time this week to reaffirm the ground beneath our feet.