Unconditional love, if only for a few moments, will make a difference.
Arriving Wednesday at the substance abuse recovery home, I was aware of just how much more comfortable and open I felt teaching yoga here. I knew that many of the young women truly looked forward to our time together. They knew that we would share some laughs and possibly discover some new aspect of addiction recovery together. I was hopeful that each of them could experience a moment of self-realization and acceptance. I prayed for a touching moment for each of us to remember.
As we begin the yoga practice, I sense the increased level of trust in the room; my previous sessions clearly represented an initiation process as this is not an easy group to be accepted into. But many remain shut down emotionally.
For the most part they like me; the few that had brought the energy in the room down are not there. Funny how life works. The women have all embraced meditation as they seem to enjoy this time of letting go. I pass out lavender-scented washcloths as part of aroma therapy and they place it over their eyes.
One of the girls, who has a 4-week old newborn, wants to do the meditation but her baby starts to cry. I offer to hold this precious child and a beautiful calm settles over the room. Starting with a “guided meditation”, I gaze upon this bundle of life and so many feelings go through my mind.
Was the mother using while pregnant? Did this baby have to go through withdrawals?
It has been rough journey for this young mother and baby. I gently rock the newborn with a gentle, loving motion. I feel gratitude that there there are clean, safe places for these women with children in recovery.
There is hope, and I feel it in my soul.
During this precious hour I feel connected to these brave souls, knowing that we are all one connected to a higher purpose.
Unconditional love, if only for a few moments, will make a difference.
I feel my myself going into another realm, joining these women on a higher plane where peace, harmony and serenity take exist. The responsibilities of their world are momentarily at bay.
Holding this young life and knowing he is our future.
Holding hope that these woman continue on this stable course to recovery.
As the class ends and I prepare to leave, one of the girls asks me if it would be ok if she brought her daughter, who is four, to the class next week. I answer “YES” with a big smile, knowing that another young life could be touched by yoga. Another young yogini.
” May we all be open and accepting of all. We may look and feel different from one another, but in the end we are all “ONE”.
“A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle makes very important statements on the “balance” we need in life to feel fulfilled. I like the term “A Balanced You”.
