I hope this is the beginning of a longer and wider conversation because I don't think these hard times are going to suddenly end. As an elder with diminishing ability to do the things I used to do--and very sensitive to the deeper strains on my compassion from the times we're living in--I've been struggling to find a better relationship with my nervous system. What is helping me the most right now, besides Buddhist practices, is the approach of Moshe Feldenkrais or Awareness Through Movement. This is not exercise but a gentle, deep retraining of the nervous system. I take online classes at feldenkraisaccess.com with the lead teacher who helps us let go of excessive efforting in our bodies that we are not aware of. I actually feel I am undoing major harms that have been placed on us by generations of striving and straining to play the roles our culture has set up for us. There is a sense of ease, agency and joy after each session--and slowly one learns to access this birthright sense in daily life. I think these times are calling us all to make an evolutionary leap that takes us back into our earlier, more indigenous selves so we can find resources to deal with the mess we're in. It's going to be a very different world and we need to get ready for it.
Oh, Louise, I love your comment. It so resonates with me in the same stage of life. I will take to heart your experience with Feldenkreis and I will take a dive into your website. Sending love, Prajna
This fundamental shift has been no clearer to me than the evolution of posts I've witnessed go viral on LinkedIn, which may be the hardest social media platform to crack when it comes to pushing the hustle culture narratives. You don't see posts touting pride for hustling go very far these days... it's usually stories about quitting jobs to be with family members or sabbatical posts. We've been talking about how work culture is broken for a long time, but so many of us are finally feeling it in our bodies and witnessing it in our people for the first time. I think for awhile the response to the brokenness of the corporate world was to "go out on your own" and work super hard on your own terms. I think we all just want to lay down now!
I truly appreciate this writing today. I believe with you that all of our nervous systems, or most, have been incredibly taxed, some since Covid, some since 2016, many since long before that. Rebuilding or changing that nervous system is a very large and uncharted path.
The urge to go off grid in a variety of ways is widespread but can be at odds with a sense of needing to stay in the stream of things to lend a hand to those without the luxury of retreat.
I wish your husband a solid recovery from his accident, your daughter a return to her normal confidence and energy in her own time, and you the fortitude for these times.
If you come upon someone who writes well on this, who understands such navigation, please share it in a post none of us can miss.
There is something PTSD-like in this, I think, and there are ways to recover from PTSD, even to move into post traumatic growth. But this will be a map with multiple roads to different destinations, different paths offering promise to different people depending on the mix of experiences we each have had, I am sure.
Our hearts go out to Courtney's family. Since I know and love them all, the thought of John's suffering from this terrible fall, combined with Stella's plaintive cries, evokes deep empathy. Your message resonates during this era of COVID ceaseless testing of our resources. Just remember Courtney's brilliant book entitled "Do It Anyway"! Everybody read it again now and follow its wise counsel, to act even when confronted with the worst obstacles.
I found relief and even exuberance by participating in the LGBTQ+ events last weekend. Despite all the downers engulfing us, it was incredibly uplifting to march with thousands of Pride supporters.
I could only think of how such demonstrations would have been totally impossible in the 50's, when I was the age of my two granddaughters who were with me, and now benefit from what the Gay Rights movement has accomplished. It's a miracle of unflagging nonviolent protest that must inspire anyone who doubts the ability to change our society in this wholly admirable way.
Take courage, comrades, the future is still ours! DD, Proud Portland, OR.
Dear Courtney, I am Sarah Wheeler's Auntie Prajna. a dear old family friend. I just love this piece--it resonates so deeply with me. Thank you for giving us all permission to rethink resuming our BIG lives. It feels as though most of us are trying so hard to be brave and positive in the face of these incredible challenges. That in itself is exhausting. SO much love to you and to each of us braving this very challenging time.
Oh my, yes. Thank you for doing it for so long, Stella. Maybe if she can figure out what she means when she says she can't do it, she won't have to. Or maybe she will see that she can. I'm not doing much these days, she can have my energy to do it one more day.
Courtney, I know you didn't write this post just for me, but it lands so squarely in where I find myself (and many others I know, too), it's as though you and I were having a conversation on the subject.
Your wise and thoughtful articulation of Deep Feelings and Hard Truths never ceases to amaze me. A deep bow of gratitude for being so willing to share your thoughts with us.
I hope this is the beginning of a longer and wider conversation because I don't think these hard times are going to suddenly end. As an elder with diminishing ability to do the things I used to do--and very sensitive to the deeper strains on my compassion from the times we're living in--I've been struggling to find a better relationship with my nervous system. What is helping me the most right now, besides Buddhist practices, is the approach of Moshe Feldenkrais or Awareness Through Movement. This is not exercise but a gentle, deep retraining of the nervous system. I take online classes at feldenkraisaccess.com with the lead teacher who helps us let go of excessive efforting in our bodies that we are not aware of. I actually feel I am undoing major harms that have been placed on us by generations of striving and straining to play the roles our culture has set up for us. There is a sense of ease, agency and joy after each session--and slowly one learns to access this birthright sense in daily life. I think these times are calling us all to make an evolutionary leap that takes us back into our earlier, more indigenous selves so we can find resources to deal with the mess we're in. It's going to be a very different world and we need to get ready for it.
Oh, Louise, I love your comment. It so resonates with me in the same stage of life. I will take to heart your experience with Feldenkreis and I will take a dive into your website. Sending love, Prajna
This fundamental shift has been no clearer to me than the evolution of posts I've witnessed go viral on LinkedIn, which may be the hardest social media platform to crack when it comes to pushing the hustle culture narratives. You don't see posts touting pride for hustling go very far these days... it's usually stories about quitting jobs to be with family members or sabbatical posts. We've been talking about how work culture is broken for a long time, but so many of us are finally feeling it in our bodies and witnessing it in our people for the first time. I think for awhile the response to the brokenness of the corporate world was to "go out on your own" and work super hard on your own terms. I think we all just want to lay down now!
Great observations here. Thank you!
I truly appreciate this writing today. I believe with you that all of our nervous systems, or most, have been incredibly taxed, some since Covid, some since 2016, many since long before that. Rebuilding or changing that nervous system is a very large and uncharted path.
The urge to go off grid in a variety of ways is widespread but can be at odds with a sense of needing to stay in the stream of things to lend a hand to those without the luxury of retreat.
I wish your husband a solid recovery from his accident, your daughter a return to her normal confidence and energy in her own time, and you the fortitude for these times.
"Rebuilding or changing that nervous system is a very large and uncharted path." So well put, Fritzie. How do we do this?
If you come upon someone who writes well on this, who understands such navigation, please share it in a post none of us can miss.
There is something PTSD-like in this, I think, and there are ways to recover from PTSD, even to move into post traumatic growth. But this will be a map with multiple roads to different destinations, different paths offering promise to different people depending on the mix of experiences we each have had, I am sure.
I’m awed that in this strange time of broken minds, broken bodies, you can see, and show your readers, the underlying wholeness.
Just knowing it is there is sufficient. Now we have a destination to reach. To map our path.
Thank you.
The primal whisper is so real. I feel it! I have been thinking about this a lot, too. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Our hearts go out to Courtney's family. Since I know and love them all, the thought of John's suffering from this terrible fall, combined with Stella's plaintive cries, evokes deep empathy. Your message resonates during this era of COVID ceaseless testing of our resources. Just remember Courtney's brilliant book entitled "Do It Anyway"! Everybody read it again now and follow its wise counsel, to act even when confronted with the worst obstacles.
I found relief and even exuberance by participating in the LGBTQ+ events last weekend. Despite all the downers engulfing us, it was incredibly uplifting to march with thousands of Pride supporters.
I could only think of how such demonstrations would have been totally impossible in the 50's, when I was the age of my two granddaughters who were with me, and now benefit from what the Gay Rights movement has accomplished. It's a miracle of unflagging nonviolent protest that must inspire anyone who doubts the ability to change our society in this wholly admirable way.
Take courage, comrades, the future is still ours! DD, Proud Portland, OR.
Dear Courtney, I am Sarah Wheeler's Auntie Prajna. a dear old family friend. I just love this piece--it resonates so deeply with me. Thank you for giving us all permission to rethink resuming our BIG lives. It feels as though most of us are trying so hard to be brave and positive in the face of these incredible challenges. That in itself is exhausting. SO much love to you and to each of us braving this very challenging time.
Ahhh! Thank you so much Auntie Prajna. So special to have you here.
Oh my, yes. Thank you for doing it for so long, Stella. Maybe if she can figure out what she means when she says she can't do it, she won't have to. Or maybe she will see that she can. I'm not doing much these days, she can have my energy to do it one more day.
Courtney, I know you didn't write this post just for me, but it lands so squarely in where I find myself (and many others I know, too), it's as though you and I were having a conversation on the subject.
Your wise and thoughtful articulation of Deep Feelings and Hard Truths never ceases to amaze me. A deep bow of gratitude for being so willing to share your thoughts with us.
Thank you so much, Peggy. This is deeply generous.