We live in a beautiful and big world full of people from all different walks of life. Often times we feel that we are unable to help others in need when they are across the globe. In the wake of the recent sadness in France I felt the need to teach myself and my students the power of holding space.
There are certainly a great many opportunities to help the planet heal, from volunteer work, to donations, to creating non-profit organizations, and much more. However, sometimes all the we can do is hold space. We cannot change the the way that some people operate and we cannot change the past. What we can do is collectively send out healing love by joining in groups and sending peace out across the world.
We have all experienced a situation where we simply needed someone to hold space for us and vice versa. Sometimes things don’t necessarily need to be fixed. There is a great beauty in simply being there for someone. Words are often lost in times of grief and strain, but the holding of someones hand or a shoulder to cry in is priceless.
I believe with all of my heart that when a group of people come together with the intention to send love and peace out, that is a force to be reckoned with. Now more than ever we need these gatherings to make a shift. The next time you hear a group of people gossiping and complaining about how bad things are, invite them to hold space! Create a mindful meeting place in a park, on the beach, or in a community center. If you are already in a position where you have a group of people that you work with, like a Yoga or meditation class, practice holding space.
The following is a very simple example of how this process of holding space can be practiced. Collect a group of friends, family, students, co-workers, even strangers. Find a time and place to come join together for a period of time, even thirty minutes is powerful! Create a collective intention to send peace to the planet or to a specific place or group of individuals. Use the breath to drop inward and create a connection from within. Then have everyone tap into that collective intention at the same time, and send those positive vibrations like a radio wave to wherever they need to go! If you are unable to gather a group in a physical location, create a day and time that no matter where the people are that want to participate, they do there own practice of intention.
The way to peace is not through struggle, anger, and fear. The way to peace is love. The opening of your heart, the belief that we all deserve to be happy and free. Practice holding space for those in need, and help to heal the planet with love and understanding.