I was at the Milwaukee County Jail with a group of meditators. Lee, a participant in the group, shared his dream about a dog that was on a long leash. The dog made the effort to get out of this situation by pulling on the leash but was limited by the strength of the rope. The dog was also surrounded by fences so it was impossible to go anywhere. The dog in the dream represented the faithful part of Lee who was waiting for him to let go of something old in his subconscious. How can Lee be free of the "feeling" of being tied to a leash and surrounded by fences after having been in prison for years? Is there a way to break the old feelings of confinement? Can he transform that old feeling into a new feeling of inner freedom thus becoming a new person? Will it create a new reality for him in his life?
Lee has been a faithful participant in the meditation group for almost a year. He has learned to pay attention to his feelings and has found new ways to respond to life. In the past if he became anger he said he used his fists to make his point. He no longer reacts in this way but still feels the necessity of being on the defensive if someone bothers him.
On this particular day the group was large consisting of fifteen so when I was speaking to one person the others would patiently pay attention. Then I heard two men's voices begin to rise, so I turned my head to see what was going on. Lee and another man were arguing and a negative picture had been drawn against Lee.
I looked into Lee's unhappy face and said you know how to respond to this situation. As effortlessly as a monk who has been meditating for years - he turned away from the angry man and put his hands together, closed his eyes and started breathing. For twenty minutes or so he stayed in this position just breathing in and out. The other man left when he could not get any reaction. When Lee opened his eyes and came back to the group, we were all smiling. You did it. You have released the dog from the leash. The fences have come down. Peace has been found in the moment!
We wonder about next time when a difficult situation comes up? Will he be able to find peace? Who knows? All we do know for sure is that meditation is a practice and that all we can do is practice. Practice in difficult situations and in easy situations so that we connect with life from the inside- out. What joy we find in this simple gift we give to ourselves. Practice brings that perfect peace to our lives!
A Way to Practice:
•Close your eyes.
•Listen to the quiet inside.
•Breathe slowly watching the breath leave your body.
•Breathe slowly watching the breath come back in.
•See if you can smile from the inside-out or put a half-smile on your lips.
•If a thought comes just notice the thought but do not become attached to it. Let it go as if it were a dry leaf falling off a tree into a river.
•Keep returning to your breath.
•If a feeling comes just say hello and then gently release it.
•Let the feeling pass in your consciousness. Later you may want to explore the feeling in more depth.
•Keep returning to your breath.
•Notice how good it feels to be calm and quiet.
•You can feel this way whenever you want.
•Even if you are not at peace just keep breathing. Stay with the discomfort and the breath.
•Know that you are being kind to yourself when you are peaceful.
•You can share this kindness with others.
Click here http://www.handlewithkindness.com/ for more information about the spiritual journey through meditation and dream work. The program Voices in a Box is a "kindness awareness" presentation with specific tools for use in the classroom as well as adult wellness classes. It is an AODA approved program in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The program supports people of all ages to find inner peace. The Shalom House is "A Quiet Place to Be" for individuals and groups to enjoy as well as where silent retreats, Art of Peace and a variety of other events. The Pain Buddy, a Playful Healer (therapeutic doll) is used as a tool so that people learn to handle feelings with kindness.
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