Keeping all the goodness to ourselves is selfish. Speaking with our voice and our actions are a conduit to share what we have learned.
I participated in a charity fun run today and received a tour of the facility after the race. Monica, the Director of Family Services, walked us around the existing facility, explaining their process for serving the poor and homeless clients that cross their threshold.
After seeing their long-time space, we walked through the new upstairs expansion. The waiting room is spacious, bright, and will provide a much better experience for the customers that come each week looking for basic necessities. The expansion includes areas for education, dressing for success, a computer lab, and counseling.
Monica's eyes were often welling with tears as she explained the remarkably different experience families will now have due to this change. Shame looms heavily for those living on poverty's razor's edge. Visiting this new space, being treated with respect, and getting help will be a blessing for each family.
Ignacio, a new friend I met during the race, works to influence governments to grant land to indigenous peoples throughout the world. He has experienced successes but sees how powerless these people groups are against their governments without influence from the outside world. Ignacio brings the knowledge and expertise of each government's policies to bring about change.
Today's experiences prompted me to think about how you and I reach out to help those that are hurting and share what we have learned.
Meditation is a gift that can restore a proper balance and perspective to the chaos of our daily challenges. My memories of living close to the razor's edge are near. Left unchecked; current trials and memories build and fight or flight kicks into high gear. The dam that restrains cortisol breaks and anxiety floods my body.
If you knew of a homeless shelter, you would tell the refugee. If you knew political policy could help a people group save land for their tribe, you would show them.
You have discovered benefits of your particular meditation practice, and it can help those around you. Now is the time to be the lighthouse to those in need.
Going Further: How do you share your meditation story? How do you build community with the like-minded? How often do you share the effect your meditation? Why have you resisted to talk about your meditation practice?