Yesterday we practiced SNAP
(Stop, Notice, Ask, and Pivot). How did
that go? Did you test and try it out
when you were in the grocery store? Did
you even venture to try it at a meeting? Today I will give you another slightly
different practice known as: RAIN
Recognize ~ what is in you and between you
and the other person ~ could be energy, the past, or the present moment.
Allow ~ your emotions; they are data
points, and your thoughts are reactions ~ see the above wheel.
Inquire ~ why are these emotions and
thoughts stirring within you? Sometimes
it is because the person said something offensive that you never expected. Other times, there is a long history where
even the other person breathing will flummox you.
Nurture ~ yourself to live from the
space of belovedness rather than scoring points on an imaginary scoreboard of
life.
You may be wondering, is this
practical or possible? Or you will
correctly discern that this will take time to work through these for
steps. You may worry that the
conversation may pass by, and you will never get to add your two cents. Yes, you may miss the moment
occasionally. However, who says you
cannot offer a comment to the dialogue once you have worked through the process
above?
The power of this process can
also be in practice before the meeting or encounter. Before you go into an emotionally volatile or
difficult conversation, recognize and allow your emotions. Sit with them, inquiring about how you want
to show up in that space?
You can practice this by
noticing your response to the meditation this morning. Or try out the RAIN process with one news
article (I would not select the most emotionally triggering or traumatizing). Or find a friend with whom you can practice
this together. When we, as people of
faith, show up and speak up in other ways, God can work through us to share a
peace and presence that is needed in the world today.
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