I have been thinking about the idea of us all being part of many different webs of community. I think of it like we are at the center of the web, and then moving out from there are your most important people, then a little further is a little less connected, and so on. And, it changes. Maybe at one point in your life there were people who would be in your closest connection, but at this point they are a lot further away — but, still, they are part of your community. It’s a comforting exercise to think about your own webs of community, because it’s a nice reminder of all the people in your life.
Here’s a meditation exercise you might like to try. First, find a comfortable seat. Find a sweet connection to your breath — using the exhale to calm, relax, let go, and and the inhale to expand and brighten from the inside.
Then bring to mind the people that are currently closest to your heart. Take a dozen breaths, or however many feels good for you, and contemplate these people. Let the thoughts of each person bring more light to your heart. Next, bring to mind people who are a little bit more distant than the first group of people. Maybe they used to be really close but have moved away. Maybe you used to see them everyday but now it’s just once a week. Again, take a number of breaths that feels good for you, and contemplate these people. Let these people add to the light in your heart. Keep moving further and further away from the center of your web, coming up with more and more distant people. Do a total of at least five webs of distance.
After you have completed the contemplation of each web, take some time in your meditation to feel all of these people in your heart. Appreciating your community, and the people that have been part of your life. Take some time to gently come out of the mediation.
Finally…as a bit of extra credit…think of one of the people that used to be close to you and now there is a little more distance. Make contact with that person. Maybe a phone call, an email, a letter. Even a simple note telling them you are thinking of them, I’m sure, will make their day. Wouldn’t you want to have someone do that to you?
I look forward to hearing how it goes. Let me know either by a comment here, on Facebook, or drop me a note.
Take care — John