Ordinary Grace {part 2 of 3}

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Today, we are talking about the PRACTICE of opening to an everyday, ordinary Grace, and a large part of this practice is how we relate to stress. For most of us, the natural assumption is that stress is a bad thing. That it is in the way of our joy, and that we need things to be different if we are to open to Grace.

In truth, what we learn through practice, is that stress isn’t the problem. It is our REACTION to stress that creates suffering. It is our reaction to the feeling of “too much to do, not enough time.” It is the “hurry up and work harder” mentality that often accompanies a fear of not getting it done that separates us from Grace.

In this week’s practice, we experiment with an idea offered by meditation teacher Joseph Goldstein. He is quoted as saying –

Every time I think I have a problem, I decide I don’t have one.

Today, I invite you to really consider this statement. Practice using it all week. For the big issues and the small ones. It doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt, that it isn’t scary, or challenging. It is simply shifting to say, “this is how it is right now.”

This moment isn’t a problem.

#meditatewithmeryl

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash