The 5 stages of grief are commonly referred to when considering what emotions we all pass through when experiencing different forms of loss in our lives.
When we can recognise an emotion we can assist ourselves in processing the thoughts associated with it. If we instead sit with our emotions then our true nature will be ignored and they will sit on us!
We find ourselves at a time when we are all processing grief together at different levels. With life suddenly changing so drastically and with the heightened awareness of so much suffering, reflecting on these 5 stages offers reassurance and comfort to get back to a more positive and open minded perspective.
Take 5 minutes to consider:
Have you been feeling denial and shock? Have you been feeling anger and anxiety? Have you been feeling depressed and overwhelmed? Have you been trying to bargain with yourself and struggling to find meaning? Have you felt a sense of acceptance and started to explore new ways of doing things?
In meditation the emotions themselves are not bad, it is when we do not allow ourselves to feel them that we experience more challenge (what you resist does persist!). Breathe deeply into the awareness of each emotion, breathe out and let it go (this too shall pass!).
There’s comfort in knowing we are all in this together physically but we can also take comfort in knowing we are all in this together emotionally.
