It’s been a weekend of wild weather, over here in Ireland. A sense of foreboding started early in the week with headlines declaring a storm so big that the whole country would be on Red Alert. I’d like to say that I was cool as a cucumber with all my mindfulness and stuff. And mostly, I was. Although, I do confess to a fleury of text messages to my daughter in college, telling her she better come home before the winds arrive. I swear it wasn’t because I missed her. 😉
On my part, the storm came and the storm went without much bother. However, there were signs all around me that it had significant impact. There were trees down, roofs of sheds damaged and I had some friends who went without power for a few days. One of those friends was texting me and telling me how grim it feels to go without a shower for days on end. She was clearly feeling reflective, as she also mentioned that she quickly reminded herself of how lucky she was when considering how people in war torn countries suffer much worse conditions than a loss of electricity.
This is a humbling thought for sure. But I would argue, on behalf of my friend, that this reflection is skilful means. This reflection brought my friend in direct contact with the fact that despite the swirling wind and driving rain, the cold house and lack of running water, she was in fact basically OK.
Recognising that we are basically Ok is a super power in the face of anxiety and fear. Dr. Rick Hanson, an American Neuropsychologist, emphasises the benefits of touching in with that part of us that is beneath the storm. More often than not, we are basically alright. The questions that Rick asks to test our basic alright-ness are: Am I breathing? Is my heart beating? Do I know my name?
He then adds, “[t]ake a close look at this moment, right now. You are probably alright: No one is attacking you, you are not drowning, no bombs are falling, there is no crisis. It’s not perfect, but you’re OK”.
This is exactly what my friend did when she found herself faced with two days of inconvenience and perishing food. She touched in with her basic OK ness and turned towards the things that she could control. Better yet, she took the steps she could take to make things easier- she reached out.
When we notice that, in all actuality, we are more or less basically OK, we can put down some of the stones that we’re carrying around. We can step out of the place of vigilance and what I like to call ‘storming the beach’ mode. I am talking about the feeling of being on constant look out for what’s about to get me.
When I notice my basic Ok- ness, my world opens up and I can notice things. Like the sweet little robin picking up grains of seeds and crumbs outside of my kitchen door. I can be present to the people around me and I can have some clarity in regards to what I need to do to take care of myself. For instance, I can hear the words coming out of my daughter’s mouth as she fills me in on her week in college. This connection is what truly nourishes me.
This week, I will be leading a session on ‘basic OK-ness’ at the Sanctuary’s Tuesday morning (10am Irish Time) online meditation. It would be lovely if you could join us.
-Jane
Click here to join me at the Sanctuary’s online meditation session on Tuesday morning at 10am
To read what Dr. Rick Hanson has to say about basic OK-ness, click here.
To download or listen to an audio of a short meditation called Ten Finger Breathing, click below
My Silent Place 
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