54 Comments

Thank you for this. I always think of the dark places that change us as the BIG losses and changes or sicknesses- it is a relief to know we can do our work in each little moment of internal anguish - there are so many and that’s okay 😀

Expand full comment

so many. and that's okay. thank you Angela.

Expand full comment

Thank you for sharing this reflection, Elena. Happy timekeeping!

Expand full comment

thank you Taishin, deep bow.

Expand full comment

"when we stay the course..." that's it for me....holding the darkness as lightly as possible, finding humor, biding my time, keeping my mouth shut when my partner seems like an alien, waiting, waiting, for it. xox

Expand full comment

sending hugs Nancy

Expand full comment

🤍✨🤍

Expand full comment

Dear Elena, this is so peaceful to read right now. There are some stressful family situations happening and challenging to see any other reality than an anxious, painful and scary one.

Noticing even one deep breath as I was reading is a GREAT gift.

Thanks for everything, especially the calmness… and reminder to feel the heart and notice the habitual mind.

Expand full comment

n o t i c i n g... love to you Reesey

Expand full comment

I shared a similar thought about darkness with a young friend who is going through a tough time. I am sending him this line and your "unfolding." Bowing.

Expand full comment

bowing deeply, dear Jen.

Expand full comment

Thank you, dear Elena.

Expand full comment

thank you N.

Expand full comment

Yes thank you dear heart, for the reminders to sit, to be aware, to notice everything.

Expand full comment

love you.

Expand full comment

I will sit with you for 10 minutes a day for the rest of the month. Thank you for the beautiful post Elena.

Expand full comment

beautiful, Mary Kate.

Expand full comment

Thank you for the perspective of finding connection in the darkness. I commit to daily practice. Thank you for breath and inspiration.

Expand full comment

Melinda, thank you.

Expand full comment

🙏🏼♥️

Expand full comment

I’m hopeless at this. Maybe it’s ok for my gifts to be elsewhere, I don’t know. My life is full of anguish right now. Maybe I will become desperate enough to find a way to “it.” I love the clarity of your writing—beautiful!

Expand full comment

that pain is the longing that led me to practice. i'm glad and thankful you're here, Alexandra.

Expand full comment

Learning to be present. And just be. Gracias 💛

Expand full comment

gracias hermana. x

Expand full comment

Thank you for speaking to my heart. This post went to my soul…. and feeling the image of all the souls meditating together ‘in the periphery’.

Simply peace. I’m learning how answers come in stillness… mostly that there doesn’t even need to be answers…

Peace, Elena. And gratitude.

Expand full comment

answers|questions|answers|questions...

Expand full comment

This piece has such a sense of calm even amid the discomfort. I went through this process last night with a family member and it’s true in the darkness it is clear.

Expand full comment

thank you, Jana. i appreciate this and feel it.

Expand full comment

"Each time we chant, centuries of repetitions echoing, move me inexorably toward wonder." So often I forget there are few heart medicines better than the vibrations our lungs send to the universe.

Expand full comment

yesssss Troy, thank you brother

Expand full comment