By Ariela Grodner
It has been two days since my return from a ten-day Vipassana course in Jesup, Georgia. Vipassana means insight. Being in silence with a foundation in morality, or a strict commitment to inflicting the least amount of harm possible. One can dedicate all the moments of Vipassana for self-reflection, body sensations and mental activity.
The mind is most often remembering or imagining, or to simplify the mind is clinging or craving. This is what feeds the mind, just like food feeds the body. When one fasts, the body uses up its food reserve and the same can be said of the mind. When we don’t feed the mind, it uses whatever is stored in the memory bank or the imagination.
The question is, what happens when we consciously do not feed the mind? We then reside in a state of parasympathetic. We must instead sit with the actual truth of our moment-to-moment experience. This way of being is the most practical way of sharing peace.
I learned this word “Parasympathetic” when I was in massage school. It’s that place we go when we are healing, It’s the time the mind can rest deeply and reintegrate. We learned that we aren’t “fixers” or “healers”. Rather, we are facilitators of a healing space and offer our clients room to self-heal.
I find this concept liberating and freeing as a therapist, My job is to be present and to hold space. Thats it. I also feel the importance in this tumultuous world to encourage therapists to develop a practice in one’s life that restores and fills one’s own cup. What brings this equanimity? What activities do we do daily to remind us how to immerse ourselves in grace and peace?
It’s a privilege to be in a field of touch that helps others feel happy, it’s even more beautiful if we take the time to notice. We can mutually benefit from this exchange, as being present is such a gift. In the tradition of Vipassana, one of the keys to happiness is to make sure our job harms none. If we can serve this world, we benefit by experiencing a happy life free from the karma of harm.
May we all stay clear in our intentions and utilize our lives for sharing love and presence. It’s a special community we hold. May we all stay strong, healthy, and happy to continue the journey as facilitators of healing. Much love
