We invite you to join us for online every first Thursday of the month morning Mindful Caregiving sangha.
Mindful Caregiving
These mindful caregiving sessions are open to all who identify as caregivers. The topics and discussions of this group will be rooted in mindfulness practice and will aim to support those in a parental role, caretaking for an elder, or experiencing another type of caregiving situation by creating a compassionate, reflective space to come together.
No prior experience with mindfulness is necessary—all are welcome. There are no restrictions to join. While there is no fee, we invite participants to offer dana (a practice of generosity) to help sustain the gathering.
Format: 7:00 am-7:25 am meditation period and 7:25-8:00 am dharma sharing.
For questions about the Mindful Caregivers group, please contact facilitator Jenny Medvene-Collins.
No previous mindfulness or meditation experience is necessary. No fees, donations are always welcome.
Mindful Caregiving Sangha Topic:
Releasing Our Cows
Video: ‘Call Your Cows by Their True Names’ (excerpt from): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8pFAjQpTKY
Jenny Shares:
We shared together a couple months ago about the quiet solitude of the winter season and the lessons from trees of letting be, or gently letting go of what is no longer needed. As we linger in this chilly season, I have found it anything but quiet. I’ve been craving the solitude I’ve come to associate with this season. These months have felt loud with political happenings, the coming and going of strong emotions, and fear for our beloved communities both near and far.
Everything has felt a bit bigger this winter season, yet my personal world has in some ways felt smaller. In part due to all that’s been swirling around, I have hyperfocused on who and what is nearby, trying to give my energy and attention as fully as I can to those around me. It often feels like a tightrope walk for me as a caregiver to care compassionately for my loved ones while also holding nonattachment. This past month, I have felt particularly pulled toward herding my “caregiving-related cows,” mainly, focusing on my ideas of what the care for my loved ones ought to look like. These ideas can lead to creating an idealized and somewhat fixed picture of their happiness or quality of life in my mind. When I hold firmly to such ideas, I worry about the reality being different from my vision for their care. When I am able to release that fixed vision, or set free my caregiving cows, I feel the freedom of meeting my loved ones where they are at that particular time. I’m able to assess how they are really doing with an open-hearted presence.
When we can notice ourselves caught in these moments of chasing after or herding our various caregiving-related cows, we can compassionately return to the breath and the practice of presence. I am curious to hear from other caregivers about what particular ideas, that is, cows, you may be chasing these days, how you respond, and what may shift when you notice this happening.